Page 93 of Three Irish Kings

“It's all right, Da. We’ll find her.” I put a hand on his shoulder, and he breathes a deep breath through his nostrils and soon enough, he’s asleep in his desk chair.

I sigh and stand up, calling the nurse to take him to his room.

She bustles in without a word, probably terrified. As much as we try to keep it under wraps, she has to know what we do or at least suspect.

I hope I pay her enough that it doesn’t matter.

Cillian trails out behind me as I speak to her in low tones, ordering her to keep him away from the media. If anything happens and anyone spots Maggie or Isla, we’re done for.

She agrees, and Cillian follows me out to the terrace.

I need some fresh air. Fuck, I need a smoke, even though I’ve put them down ten years ago.

I breathe in fresh air, trying to get more oxygen into my tight chest.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m pretty fucking far from okay, Cill.”

Cillian’s quiet for a moment. “He’s worse than he was even last week.”

I groan, sweeping a hand through my hair. “I know. I don’t... I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’m acting boss, but he won’t let me make any real decisions. I never know which version of him I’m meeting next, and even his tamest version is worse, meaner than he ever was when Ma was here.” I run my hands through my hair. “Fuck, you know I’ve been trying to stay out of things for years, let him do his thing and stay as far away as humanly possible without outright deserting him, but with the way he is now...”

“You don’t want to do this, do you? You don’t want to be boss.”

I bark out a laugh. “Doesn’t matter what I want. Never did.”

If it were up to me, Cill would be the new boss, if he wanted to.

I’d run my company and be happy as a clam, never picking up a firearm again.

But that’s not the life I was born into. There are expectations. Responsibilities.

The biggest one of which is keeping all of this quiet.

“You can't tell anyone, Cill. About Da’s condition.”

“Of course not." Cillian looks almost offended, and for good reason. He’s never leaked a single secret as long as he’s been with the Hayes clan.

“I know. Just had to say it.”

“Is the meeting over?”

I nod sharply.

Da isn’t going to wake up for hours, and he likely won’t even remember our conversation. But I’ve done all I can to update him on the situation.

Cillian and I make our way out onto the porch, looking down at my car, a simple sedan that doesn’t draw too much attention—not like Dare’s cherry-red muscle car.

The car in question is parked in front of the cottage.

“Are you leaving Dare to spend the night alone with Isla?" Cillian asks, and I blink at him.

“No. I’ll be spending the night there. Not him.”