Page 11 of Legacy Of Ashes

Pain flickers across her features. "Both."

"Which matters more?" Another step brings her within arm's reach. "Your faith in me or your duty to him?"

Heat radiates between us. I want to slam her against that window and show her exactly what she means to me. Want to claim that smart mouth and prove my loyalty has nothing to do with orders.

"You handled those bastards perfectly." I keep my voice level despite the fire in my veins.

"Answer the question."

She moves closer. Her breasts nearly brush my chest. The space crackles with sexual tension neither of us acknowledges.

"You want truth?" Control fractures. "I've watched you grow from a stubborn girl into a brilliant woman. I've waited years for you to come home and take your rightful place."

"And?"

"Every instinct screams at me to protect you. Not because Tiernan commanded it." My voice roughens. "Because you belong to me."

Her breath hitches. "Belong to you?"

"Mine to guard. Mine to keep safe." The admission scrapes my throat raw. "Mine."

Desire darkens her gaze. "Conall?—"

Cillian bursts through the door. "How did it go?"

The spell shatters. Saoirse steps back, professional mask sliding into place.

"Fine," she says coolly.

"Good. Father wants both of you. Now."

Walking behind her down the corridor, I watch her hips sway and imagine my hands gripping them while I take her from behind. She commanded a room full of killers tonight. Proved herself worthy of respect.

But the hurt in her expression when I said 'both' cuts deeper than any blade.

She thinks I protect her from duty.

Soon I'll show her the truth. Soon she'll understand that what I feel has nothing to do with loyalty to Tiernan and everything to do with the hunger she ignites in me.

When that moment comes, there won't be any confusion about who I serve.

Only her.

CHAPTER

SIX

Conall's phonerings as I enter my father's study. He answers without looking up from the maps spread across the mahogany desk.

"Devlin." His voice turns sharp. "How many vehicles?"

I freeze in the doorway. The tension in his shoulders screams danger.

"Keep them there. Wait for me." He hangs up, gray eyes meeting mine. "The Morettis just went after our northern warehouse."

My blood chills. "Casualties?"

"None yet. But they're claiming territory, taking inventory of what's ours."