Page 109 of Three Irish Kings

“You’re early.” Her words float to me like she’s far away.

I’m losing my mind, and she’s acting like nothing’s wrong.

I grunt, and Isla slowly walks up to me.

She puts a hand on my arm, and I wrench away without even thinking about it, turning to face her.

My anger, my hurt, the betrayal must be written all over my face because her eyes widen, the flecks of green in them seeming bright in the morning sun coming through the window.

Fuck, she’s so beautiful it hurts to look at her, especially now.

“Are you choosing him? Is that what this is?” The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them.

She frowns. “Choosing him? What are youtalkingabout, Dare?”

“Cillian.” His name is like poison in my mouth.

The front door opens and closes, and I guess Cillian has made his exit.

Coward.

No. That’s not fair. I know Cill isn’t a coward, know he’s a good man, but right now, I want to tear his head off his stupid broad shoulders.

Isla frowns wider. “I’m notchoosinganyone. There’s no choice to be made.”

I scoff. “Of course there is. What, you think you can just play all of us forever?”

She looks startled at my words, almost hurt, and my heart drops. Even though I’m angry at her, I don’t want to upset her.

“I’m not playing anyone,” she says softly, tears welling in her eyes, and I feel like the world’s biggest asshole but my brain is on fire, and I can’t stop.

“Aye? Well then, what is this,a ghrá?”

“You kidnapped me, you threatened me, forced me to become your ‘pet’. When did I ever have a choice, huh? Whendid I ever have a say in any of this?” She fists her hands on either side of her.

“Ididn’t. That was Liam’s bullshite.”

I want you to myself.

“But you went along for the ride. You could have let me go, could have spoken up against it. Did you? When he said I’d either become your pet or die, did you say anything? Did you? I don’t think so. And now, we’ve all been hooking up for weeks, and you still haven’t said word one about not liking it.”

That’s because Idolike it. It’s hot, watching her get railed by Cillian or having Liam order her around, but at the same time, when it comes down to it, I want her all for me. Especially after seeing her and Cillian cuddle like that.

Cillian is dead on the inside. He’s cold, heartless, soulless. He’s a fucking monster when he wants to be, and I never imagined I’d catch them cuddling, of all things.

It would have been better if I’d walked in on her blowing him or something. Would have hurt less. At least it would have made some kind of sense. But this?

Cillian’s relaxed face, the way he was sleeping soundly, not even concerned... It freaks me out, and it means he’s developed feelings for her way beyond my imagination.

“Well, tell me how this is my fault. Tell me about how I choose anything. Go ahead. Be mad at me all you want.”

“Mad? I’m not mad, I’m just...”

“Jealous?” She huffs out a breath.

“So fucking jealous.” I let out a long sigh. “I want it to be me, Isla. I want you to wantmelike that.”

Her face softens, and she takes a step toward me, her hands relaxing. “Idowant you, Dare. I would’ve thought that was pretty obvious.”