Page 45 of The Celtic Resolution

I’m the one working hard, I’m the one who will get to the bottom of this! If he takes over then what chance do I have to prove that I’ve grown into a son he can love and be proud of, and not just a stain that went to jail for him?

“Dad—”

“Forget it, Bruno. It’s no longer your concern.”

“But I’m not the only one who knows!”

Domenico freezes and turns back to me. “What do you mean?”

“The Irish,” I gasp without thinking. “They’ve been helping me and they know everything. Together, we’ve been trying to get to the bottom of this for both our families’ sake.”

“Who?” he barks suddenly. “Whoexactlyknows?”

“Uh…” I hesitate and then her name slips from my lips. “Saoirse. Saoirse Gifford.”

20

SAOIRSE

“Do I look okay?” The day of Rocky’s wedding dawns and of course, we’re running late because Cian decided yesterday would be a great day for us to visit Ma and getting back in time has been such a rush.

“You look fine.” Cian laughs. “Cormac and Evie are already inside and are saving us seats. Once the music starts, we can sneak in and look like we’re part of the wedding party and no one will be any the wiser.”

“You’re such a dick,” I mutter, stumbling out of the badly parked car and fighting to adjust my dress. “I told you it was a bad idea to leave too late but justhadto take a forty minute shit.”

“What can I say, Ma’s pies are heavy on my gut these days.”

“Idiot.” I lean against the car and slip into my strappy heels, then check my phone. Bruno hasn’t replied to me since yesterday. I hope everything’s alright. The last I knew, he was going to see Mary about her dress choices. Maybe he also got caught up in sibling drama like I have.

“Fix your tie,” I hiss as we hurry up the steps toward the hotel. “And smooth out the— just let me.” Grabbing Cian by thearm, I jerk him backward and smooth down some strands of hair sticking up in all directions while he adjusts his tie.

“You’d think I was the one getting married,” he mutters while I fuss around him.

“Be thankful you’re not,” I mutter. “Ma would kill you for wearing a suit like this.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Cian scowls. “It’s black.”

“It’s not fitted, dumbass. Where did you even get it?”

“Cormac’s closet.”

“Ugh.” A final pat of his hair and I lightly shove him up the stairs. “How can you be so clean at killing and so messy at everything else?”

“It’s the law of nature,” Cian chuckles, hurrying up the steps. “Besides, I can’t be completely perfect because?—”

“Halt.” One of the doormen cuts Cian off and blocks his entry to the hotel with a hand on his chest.

Cian immediately tenses and frowns, brushing the man’s hand off. “We’re invited.”

“No.”

“We are,” I say, leaning around Cian while digging in my purse. “We’re just late because!”

My words fail as the doors to the hotel burst open and Cormac comes stumbling out with his arm around Evelyn, followed by Rocky and it seems they’re in the midst of an explosive argument.

“Get out!” Rocky yells. “This is supposed to be the best day of my life. I wanted to be surrounded by family and friends and instead I learn I’ve invited snakes into the garden.”

“Rocky.” Cormac’s anger is thinly veiled. “You’re not thinking clearly and I promise you, whatever youthinkis happening is not true!”