Page 144 of Three Irish Kings

Chapter Thirty-Six

LIAM

There’re somany things I wanted to say. So much anger, resentment and pain whirling around inside my heart and my head that I want to let out, but I can’t.

I can’t think. I can’t move. I can barely breathe, looking at Isla’s beautiful face, how pale and thin she looks.

She sniffles, getting herself together, and slowly walks toward me.

I should step back. I should stop her, but when her small arms go around me and hug me, all I can think of is how badly I want to draw her in my arms and kiss her until all of these feelings go away.

I don’t hug her back, but she pulls away, wiping at her face, seeming satisfied.

“Now that you’re all here, I can tell you the reason I left.”

I scoff, finally coming back to myself. “As if we need a reason? You were our prisoner.”

She turns her watery hazel eyes to me. “I was, and it sucked, but still, most of the time, I didn’t feel like a prisoner.”

“Then why did you go,mo chuisle?”Cillian’s words are low and desperate, tears in his eyes.

I’ve never seen him like this. I thought he was taking it well, better than me or Dare, but it seems like he’s been as torn up about this as we have been.

I don’t know if it pisses me off or if it’s a relief.

“I’m a reporter.”

Anger rushes over me, my head pounding with it.

“A fucking reporter?”

She winces at my raised voice, and I automatically tone it down.

All we need is for different state cops who aren’t in my pocket to show up.

“So, what, this was all for some big story?”

She whirls around to face me, the green in her hazel eyes blazing. “Don’t you think if that was it, I would’ve escaped weeks ago?”

“Maybe you couldn’t. Maybe you were biding your time.” I know she’s right.

There's something else. Maybe it’s about her father, but I know she didn’t just leave for a story.

“Liam, please. Hear her out,” Cillian pleads, and I huff out a breath but stop talking, crossing my arms over my chest.

What possible reason can she have that will make any difference?

“Okay, so this is really hard to say.” She paces around in a circle.

“Just say it, Isla,” Dare pipes in, sounding tired and defeated. “Just say who you’re choosing.”

I stiffen. “Choosing?”

Isla groans. “It’s not like that. Dare is under the impression I’ve chosen one of you.”

I take a step forward, my heart flipping around in my chest. “And have you?”

Cillian doesn’t speak, looking down at the floor.