Page 79 of Three Irish Kings

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”

“My father... I know I told Dare he was an investment banker. That was part of my cover story.”

I nod, waiting for her to continue, not saying a word.

“He was a thug.”

I never would have guessed she was from a similar background to mine. Not with how she was dressed at the gala.

Her eyes drop to the floor. “He used to only come around once in a while, but when he did, he released all his frustration on my mother. I used to hide under my bed as they yelled at each other. I’ll never forget the sound of him hitting her.”

Blood boils in my veins. “Did he ever hurt you?”

She shakes her head. “Not physically, no. He mostly ignored me. And I learned soon enough to hide anytime he came over.”

My fists clench, though relief floods me that he never laid a finger on her. Still, violence isn’t always about the fists. “I've never wanted to kill anyone. Except for maybe your Da.”

She barks out a laugh. “But... Isn't that what you do? Kill?”

“Sometimes."

Most of the time.

“That doesn’t mean I want to do it. Doesn’t mean I enjoy it. It’s what I do, not who I am.”

Isla’s eyes shoot to mine. “What would you like to be if you could be anything else?”

“Just a man.” I draw in another breath, and my chest feels tight. “Liam and his father took me in when I had no one. I owe them everything, and this is my way of paying back all they did for me. So, if they want me to be a weapon, I make sure I strike and hit my mark every single time.”

“Your family?—”

“Liamismy family. I grew up here, with him. He’s my brother.”

“The way you two fight?—”

“Brothers fight.” There’s an edge in my voice, but I can’t seem to help it. “And things have been... complicated.”

“Because of me?"

“Aye.”

“Would you let me go? If you could?”

I make a noise in the back of my throat. “That's a loaded question,mo chuisle.”

She frowns. “What’s so loaded about it?”

“I work for the Hayes clan. They tell me what to do; I obey, no questions asked. But this? You? I never wanted this in the first place.”

“Then why did you do it?”

“I’m loyal to the Hayes clan; I owe them my life. So, what Liam says goes. And he wants you here.”

“For how long?” She wraps her arms around my neck, pressing her forehead to mine. “It’s not that I’m not enjoying all the attention, but will you really keep me a prisoner here forever?”

Her closeness, along with the wine, is pulling all my defenses down.

My hands sweep up her back, under the t-shirt she’s wearing. One of mine. And that simple fact does something to me that I can’t even begin to explain.