Page 23 of Three Irish Kings

All of it was exactly my type, down to her dark hair, and I couldn’t resist.

And honest to God, I still don’t know if I can.

Liam’s voice travels to us. “This needs to be over as soon as possible. We can’t afford to play babysitters to a traitor.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, annoyed, before opening them again when Cillian’s voice comes through.

“You know I’ll do whatever you ask, but?—”

“But what? Now you’re questioning me, too?”

They finally go outside to argue, slamming the door behind them, and I sigh and walk up to Isla.

I can’t help but think of her as Isla, since that’s how I’d met her. And really, what did it matter? What’s the worst Maggie Sullivan did? Spill a few secrets?

It doesn’t mean she deserves to die.

I reach out to her. “A ghrá,please?—”

“Stop it. You’re the worst out of all you three. You made me believe that you...”

I hate the ache in my heart when I hear the tears in her voice.

“Liked you? I did. Ido, a ghrá.”I lower my voice, not wanting Liam to hear. “I don’t care if you’re Maggie or Isla, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

And I mean it. I’m going to talk Liam out of this crazy plan if it’s the last thing I do.

Cillian will go along with Liam, so it’s the boss I have to work on.

I’ve made it this far without ever having to kill anyone, and I sure as hell am not going to start with a woman. Especially not this one.

She snorts. “You’re not serious. You helpedkidnapme.”

I take a breath, walking toward her and kicking the door shut behind me.

She retreats until the backs of her knees hit the bed.

“I was just doing my job.” I take another step toward her.

“Oh, so you kidnap people? That’s what you do?” Her voice is accusatory, but her eyes search my face, as if looking for something. “Do you kill them, too?”

I hope she can see it in my eyes. I reallydolike her. Her spirit as well as her face and body, and I’ve never been as intrigued by a woman as I am by this one.

I shake my head.

“I’ve never fired a gun,” I say, which isn’t a lie.

“That doesn’t mean you haven’t killed anyone.”

I go silent, knowing she’s right to doubt me. And though knives and hand to hand combat are my forte, I make it a point to leave them bleeding on the floor but avoid any fatal injuries.

I loathe killing, and though I’ll do it if it is the only way to save my life, I’ve never had to so far.

Maim? Sure. Torture? You bet. Kill? Pass.

Suddenly, the fire in her hazel eyes seems to go out. Tears spill down her cheeks as she looks up at me.

Fuck.