Page 16

Lorcan

S he didn’t say a word. I saw it, though—the pain as she hid her eyes behind the rim of her glass and took a sip of wine, the tightness of her throat as she forced herself to swallow.

What else could I do? I would only cause her more pain in the long run if I allowed anything to happen. She wouldn’t feel the same once she knew my past, even if she never knew it was me. And if she were ever truly mine? She would know everything. This was how it had to be.

She finally squeezed a syllable out. “But—”

I tried to look at her, but I couldn’t. I stared at the reflection of the flames on her glass instead. “I can’t.” My voice cracked on the words.

She closed her eyes, tears gathering at the outer corners. “I’ll return the journal as soon as I can.” Her breath stuttered as she inhaled.

I reached out to brush her fingers. Warmth flowed through my arm as she jerked her hand from under mine. I curled my fingers and pulled them back. “You can keep it.” She stared at a window across from us, pain etched on her brow. “Briar, if this were another time, another life…”

How could I tell her how much I wanted to be with her when I knew she would never forgive me once she understood my role in Lady Isobel’s downfall? But at least in giving her the journal, I would desiccate knowing she knew a part of me.

Her jaw twitched, but she maintained her silence for one breath. Then two. She didn’t look at me, her shoulders stiff before she finally laid her hand on my journal. “Hopefully, this will help me if I ever get to England. But it’ll be a while. Can I still use your contacts?”

“Of course. But…” I couldn’t believe I was asking this. I just needed to leave. “What is keeping you from going? I’ve seen how much this means to you.”

She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Finances. Amy said she’d take care of the garden center whenever I go, and I have a few people who work here, so I know it’s in capable hands.

But after paying for everything for my mum and all the costs of opening, it will take a few months to save up.

Besides, I hear going in March is better anyway—fewer tourists. I might get into the places I need.”

I stared into the flames as I thought about what she said.

What was that? My attention snapped toward a sound. Footsteps crunched again on the path. How could I not have heard them before?

Briar’s eyes opened wide as a man appeared from the tree-lined path. His commanding presence loomed over me even from across the clearing. His dark suit coat brushed against the woman’s flowing dress as they moved closer. My stomach sank. How had Cormac found me?

That damn phone call.

He tilted his head as he spoke with ease. “Oh, come now, brother. You can’t convince me that money would be an issue for someone like you after all these years.”

“Brother?” Briar’s shock emanated from her as her eyes darted between Cormac and me, searching our faces and bodies.

My shoulders tensed, and the muscles in my jaw twitched. I curled and uncurled my hands at my sides, my heart racing.

Cormac still held the woman’s hand, leading her to the edge of the porch and stopping just beyond the rail. He stood with his feet spread apart, his chin up. The woman gazed between Briar and me before she squeezed his hand.

I crossed my arms over my chest, stepping in front of Briar, blocking her from his view. My voice was low, each word cutting through the air with the same frustration burning under my ribs. “Cormac. I should have known. I should have known that if I called, you’d find me.”

“None of this nonsense,” Cormac said smoothly. “I believe your friend here has an issue, and you haven’t jumped in to take care of it yet.” His smirk deepened as he adjusted his coat. “Mother would be rather disappointed.”

I pulled my shoulders back, creating a shield between Briar and my brother. “No, I haven’t offered to fix it, and neither will you.”

Conflicting emotions surged—rage, longing, fear.

How much had Cormac heard? I would have heard him approaching had my feelings not consumed me.

But now, there was no way to know what he could use against me.

All I wanted to do was lunge at him and tear his heart out.

But why did my heart pound so fiercely with joy?

I would never tell him how pleased I was to see him after all this time.

I needed to stay away from him, Aiden, and all of them.

Most importantly, I needed to protect Briar.

“Lorcan?” Her voice quivered with uncertainty, looking for answers to the unasked questions.

Cormac laughed. His voice was gentle and deliberate, almost silken. He stepped to the side, peering around me and catching Briar’s gaze. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Cormac O’Cillian, Lorcan’s eldest brother.”

Her eyes widened as she broke away from his gaze to look at me.

Did she even feel the shiver I saw go through her—that instinctive reaction humans have when they gaze at a vampire for too long?

At that moment, I realized she had never reacted that way to me.

Why not? I pushed the thought from my mind.

I had more pressing issues to deal with.

She rested her hand on my shoulder. “Your eldest brother? How many do you have?”

Just that slight touch from her sent my heart racing, which Cormac would hear.

I forced my heart to slow, letting Briar’s touch soothe me.

I drew a breath, gritting my teeth and looking at the roof before letting my gaze drop to her.

There was nothing I wanted to do less than admit the existence of my brothers.

“Three. Cormac is the oldest, and we also have two younger brothers.”

She frowned, her hand falling away from me. “Why haven’t you mentioned them?”

I turned to glare at Cormac. “Because I had no desire to speak to them ever again, if you must know.”

Cormac raised an eyebrow, his smirk unwavering, as if my anger amused him. The man would never change, yet somehow, my heart calmed as he stood in front of me: my steadfast eldest brother, to whom family was everything. He tilted his head. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t have called me.”

“I called to congratulate you and—”

Cormac cut me off, his face breaking into a wide grin and his eyes sparkling in a way I had never seen as he turned to look at her. “My mate, Aurora.”

Aurora’s soft wave was measured, her gaze assessing the situation with a quiet confidence that mirrored my brother’s. “Rory, please.”

“Now, back to what we were discussing,” Cormac continued, shifting his focus to Briar. “It seems your friend here has an issue, and it’s completely related to money and our family. Briar, is it?” He raised an eyebrow.

Briar glanced between us, hesitant. I took her hand in mine and heard her heart rate slow.

Cormac’s smile grew. “Lady Isobel. I think I remember that name.” His eyes danced as they met mine, his words dripping with mock surprise as they played with the truth.

Surely, he would not go where I feared. “I can’t believe Lorcan hasn’t told you the entire story and offered to send you to London.

Or better yet, escort you there to guide you in your research. ”

I stepped forward, dropping Briar’s hand, and clenched the railing in front of me, trying to maintain my composure. “I’m leaving here, and I am not coming back,” I snapped. “There is no need for Briar to be caught up in our family.”

Cormac shrugged in that infuriating I’ll-do-it-my-way manner that drove me mad as a child.

“Well, brother, if you choose to leave, that’s up to you.

But since you’re leaving her without the means to go to England, allow me to step in.

” He looked at Briar. “I’d be happy to take you there.

We could leave as soon as you’re ready. I have a jet waiting at Gold Coast Airport at your disposal. ”

Briar’s eyes widened, the shock written on her face as she struggled to process his words. “You have a jet?”

“Did Lorcan not tell you about our family estate?”

Briar stepped out next to me and shook her head. “No. He hasn’t spoken about you at all.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. The offer stands, though. If Lorcan is leaving, I would be happy to escort you to and host you in England for as long as you need. Our resources will be at your disposal.”

I drew in a quick breath and turned to Briar. Her face had turned an ashen-gray color, as though she would be sick. Her words were soft. “Excuse me.”

I’d been so caught up with Briar and my brother’s unexpected appearance that I had forgotten Amy still sat by the fire.

She leaned forward on the edge of her chair.

Was she just as ready to protect Briar from Cormac as I was?

Briar walked past my brother and his mate to her friend, lowering her voice to a level impossible for a human to hear.

“I could go to England. I could go now.”

Amy glanced at us. “Who are these people?”

“It’s Lorcan’s wealthy older brother. They have a jet. He says he can take me to England.”

Amy’s eyes darted in my brother’s direction. “You’ve literally just met him. Why on earth would you trust him?”

“Because he’s Lorcan’s brother.” Briar’s voice, soft and sure, carried on the wind to our ears. “And Lorcan would never hurt me. That has to mean something.”

Her words pierced my soul.

She glanced over her shoulder at me. “Besides, this could be my best chance to discover the truth.”

My heart fell in my chest. I should have cut off contact with her a week ago.

Cormac shifted and touched Rory’s arm, leaning to her ear. “Go to them, starlight. Briar says yes. Her friend says no.”

Rory nodded.

“Cormac.” My growl under my breath was low and threatening, but he looked at me with ease. He knew I wouldn’t do anything to expose our secret.

“I’m sorry. May I join you?” Rory smiled as she walked to the firepit. Amy looked her up and down.

“Sure,” said Briar.

Amy laid her hand on Briar’s arm. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”

Rory smiled at her. “I completely understand. If someone made this offer to my best friend, I’d say exactly the same thing.”

Amy smiled thinly. “At least you and I agree.”

“I will tell you this, though…” She turned to Briar. “Even though I just met him, Lorcan has a thing for you. He has that same protective streak for you that Cormac has for me. I was pretty sure he would jump over that railing when Cormac and I first walked up.”

Briar smiled. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”

My breath caught in my throat as Cormac stared at me. I was certain he was cataloging my every reaction. I wanted nothing more than to stop this conversation, but how? She would know I was different if I told her I heard every word. Damn him, still playing this game.

Rory gestured with her head. “No, I’m not. Look at him. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you walked over here. He’s afraid to walk away, but more afraid you will choose to be a part of his life.”

“How do you know this?” asked Briar.

“Because that is exactly how his brother is. When I first met him, he wanted nothing to do with me but couldn’t let me go either. Lorcan has that same fire in his eyes for you.”

I glanced at Cormac as he grinned at his mate’s words.

“She still isn’t going,” said Amy.

Rory smiled. “What about this? I’m assuming you can’t just up and leave anyway, right, Briar?”

She shook her head.

“Give it a week. Let me spend some time with you. I will be the one you’re with, not them.”

Amy bit her lip, looking at Briar.

“But Lorcan said he’s leaving in a week,” said Briar.

Rory smiled. “Then it is perfect timing. We’ll all spend some time together, and just as Lorcan is leaving, you can come with us to do your research.”

Amy sighed, her eyes glued to Briar’s face. “You’re going to do this, aren’t you?”

Briar’s voice was even lower than before, and she nodded. “Yes. I think this is the perfect compromise.”

Amy pressed her lips together. “But…”

Briar tilted her head at her friend. Her voice softened, weight and determination pouring through her voice, silencing Amy.

“How else am I going to get there? How else am I going to find out what they knew? This is my mother’s dying wish, Amy.

I have to do it. You heard Cormac, Lady Isobel was involved with their family.

If I don’t go now, I may lose the chance. ”

“Oh, sugar, you wouldn’t. We’d still help, but why wait until March when you can go now?” Rory turned to Amy. “In fact, let me spend time with both of you. You must be just as comfortable that Briar is well cared for.”

I clenched my jaw. Rory handled the conversation with the ease of a master negotiator. Fuck.

Amy looked at Briar, her gaze pleading. Briar closed her eyes and bit her lips together. It took her a moment to open them again and look at Amy. “It’s either this or the necklace. I can’t keep coming up with nothing.”

Amy shook her head. “Fine. What do we need to do to get you ready?”

“Wonderful,” said Rory. “Let’s tell them.” She turned toward us. “Cormac, we’re going to spend the week getting Briar ready to go to London with us, but if she is at all uncomfortable, she’ll just stay here, and we’ll help her when she comes on her own. Are you okay with that?”

“Of course, starlight. It seems to be a perfect solution.”

“Almost perfect,” ground out Amy. “I’m still not sure it is the best.”

Cormac toyed with the silver clasp of his cuff link, his fingers never truly adjusting it, just appreciating the detail, his smirk never faltering. “Well, Lorcan, I guess we can bid you farewell. Aurora and I will see Briar to London.”

I shook my head, my heart pounding—a sound I couldn’t hide.

My fists clenched at my sides, my mind racing for a solution that didn’t involve letting her go with Cormac.

I was playing right into what he wanted, but there was no way I could let her go with him.

I looked at Amy. “Would it make you feel better if I escorted her?”

Briar’s face broke into a grin, and I heard her sharp intake of air. Amy crossed her arms, her brow furrowing as she scrutinized me. “Honestly? Not really, but with you going, there is no way I’ll stop her.” She took a small step back, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Amy looked away, muttering under her breath before glancing back with worry and frustration. She took Briar’s hands in hers. “Nothing I can say will change your mind?”

Briar shook her head.

Cormac’s grin was maddening, the kind that told me he’d already won a game I didn’t even know the rules for. Whatever his plan was, I’d have to deal with it later. Right then, I needed to ensure Briar and I weren’t caught in it.