Chapter 16 #3
“Gal is at a friend’s house. A friend picked up Granddad, and they went somewhere,” I lied. I had to see what he’d do assuming we were alone.
“Let’s go to the living room,” I added.
It felt weird to present my back to him, but I did.
I didn’t play the perfect hostess and offer him a drink.
I sat in Granddad’s chair. I refused to allow him to sit right against me.
Eithan took Gal’s usual chair. He stared at me, not saying anything for three or four seconds before I prompted him.
“Eithan, you said we need to talk. So, talk. Why were you pounding on my door?”
“What took you so long to answer?” he asked.
“I was working and had noise-canceling earbuds in.” I gestured to my laptop on the kitchen table.
“What’re you working on?”
“Just something I’m playing around with. Eithan, why are you here?” I inserted more steel into my tone.
“I need to talk to you about that man, Keir. I know that he and his buddies left. Tell me that you broke up with him. That he’s not coming back.”
The hairs stood on my arm. How did he know Keir supposedly left? Had he assumed due to no vehicle? Or had he been watching the house?
“What makes you say they left?”
“There have been no strange vehicles here for a few days. Come on, you can talk to me, Fiona. We’re friends, if nothing else.”
I heard the disgruntledness creep in when he said the last few words.
“So, you’ve been doing what? Watching the house and waiting to see if he came back?” I countered.
His eyes flickered with something, then it was gone too fast to know what it was. I let the stillness stretch. Finally, he answered.
“Okay, yeah, I’ve been checking in. I noticed that his SUV was gone. I wondered whether it was for good, so I kept checking. When I saw it wasn’t here at night for the past couple of nights, I took a chance and came here today. You didn’t answer me. Is he gone for good?”
“You’re right, Keir and his friends left. It’s been just me, Granddad, and Gal. I’ve been busy on the job front, as you can imagine. Things are going back to what they were.”
His tense body relaxed. “Good. Whew, I was worried sick that he’d get you to do something crazy, like move.
He wasn’t the right man for you, Fiona. You need someone stable who understands you and your family dynamics.
Someone who knows that your granddad and Gal will always be a part of your life, even when you live separately.
You need a man who will love, protect, and remain faithful to you. ”
“All those things are a must for me. But why do you assume that Keir wouldn’t give those to me? I’m curious.”
“Because he gives off that vibe. He’s a dangerous man.
I don’t know what he told you he does for a living, but I couldn’t find out anything about him.
Those vehicles he and his friends drove have license plates that require clearance I don’t have access to.
That sort of thing is government-level stuff, or very powerful, protected criminals.
And his name, without a last name, was a bust. Tell me his last name, and I should be able to find out more.
I can prove to you what a lucky miss you had. ”
“So you told me the type of man I deserved. If Keir isn’t the one, who is? You?” I asked.
He smiled. “Yes, I am. I know all those things. Plus, all the talks we’ve had, getting to know each other.
Your family will always be a part of you.
I don’t have a problem with it. And one day, when you move out, they’ll need help, and I’m okay with you providing it.
Gal will be old enough to take over in five years.
If we have to wait until he does to have a family, I can wait.
Of course, when we have kids, you’ll be staying home with them, so we’ll need all the income for our family.
Gal is young and not likely to settle down for years.
Your granddad gets Social Security. Downsizing to an apartment or smaller house would help stretch their money further. ”
As Eithan rattled on about what would happen to my life and my family’s, my temper kept rising.
He had clearly plotted it out and decided that my brother would take over caring for Granddad.
He thought this, making decisions about my life without including me, showed love and protection?
As soon as he paused, probably to take in another blowhard breath, I spoke.
“Wow, you have my whole life laid out and planned, don’t you? And you think my family will be shuttled off to the side, and my brother has to do all the supporting. Did you ever think of asking me what I want? Or ask me if I even wanted you?” I snapped.
“Hey, no need to get angry. Nothing is set in stone—just some thoughts. But I hope after getting rid of him, you realize that us becoming more than friends is the way to go. I forgive you for saying no and being with Keir. Let’s forget he existed and move on with our lives.
I want to announce to the world you’re mine.
” His smile was slightly fanatical. Eithan honestly thought it was that easy and a done deal. I’d humored him long enough. I stood.
“You need to leave. Now.” I stomped toward the door.
Eithan sat there with his mouth hanging open and astonishment on his face. However, he recovered and rushed after me. I was about to unlock and open the door when he caught up and grabbed my arm. I rounded on him, and while I didn’t let Danu out, I hissed at him.
“Don’t ever touch me again.” My voice was low and mean. I gripped his fingers and pried them painfully off my wrists.
He shook his hand, grimacing. “Fiona, I didn’t mean to scare you. Please, don’t be mad. Talk to me. Tell me what you need from me to say yes to us.”
Before I had a chance to tell him that there would never be an us, Keir’s deep voice preceded him into the room. Eithan stiffened and gave me an accusatory look as Keir wrapped his arm around me, plastering my body to his side. His hand possessively rested on my hip.
“She’ll never say yes to you. She’s mine. You were wrong about me leaving. You were told to stay away. I see that a harsher lesson is needed.”
There was no doubt of the bite, the anger, in Keir’s tone.
“You have no right to tell me I can’t see or talk to Fiona. She’s not your property. When did you return? Where’s your vehicle?”
“No, the right to ban you comes from her. So, Piscín, do you want to see or talk to him?”
“No, I do not. Eithan, you brought this on yourself. You refuse to hear me. There will never be an us. I’m with Keir, and it’s not changing.”
“There, she said it. So stop spying on her. That’s fucking creepy. You’d arrest people for doing that kind of shit,” Keir added.
“No, I don’t believe it. You’ll leave soon enough, and then she’ll come back to me!” Eithan shouted.
“Eithan, I’m moving. The whole family is. I’m going to live with Keir, and my family is coming, too. I love him. I want to be with him forever and bear his children,” I told him flat-out.
His expression became deranged. A roaring sound escaped his mouth.
He lunged toward us. He halted abruptly, and then I saw Nico behind him.
He had appeared out of thin air. He had his arms around my former friend, who was shouting and fighting to get away.
Tears pricked my eyes. I hated to see him so distraught.
“Keir, we’ve only got two choices. Which will it be?” Gunner asked, joining us.
“What choices?” I asked.
Abruptly, Eithan went stock-still, and all shouting stopped. It was like what Nico did to Hewie.
“Claws, I’m sorry, but he’s growing worse.
He won’t accept you’re with me. That leaves us with two options.
We let Nico erase his memories of you so he won’t keep obsessing and won’t follow us to Needles, or I have to kill him.
I don’t want the second one. His only crime, if you want to call it that, is wanting you.
I understand his obsession. It’s not what he deserves,” Keir told me.
The tears fell as I recalled how terrible Eithan was mere moments ago. I hated that I caused this. Keir was right. Eithan didn’t deserve to die. And even if we could guarantee he was placed somewhere for help, a big if, there was no guarantee he’d snap out of it. As the tears flowed, I nodded.
“Wipe his memories,” I said hoarsely.
There was a nod from Keir to Nico, and then Nico faced my friend and stared into his eyes. As he did his thing, I cried. Granddad and Gal had joined us. My granddad rubbed my back and promised me this was the best choice.
Two minutes later, Nico guided Eithan out the door and to his car.
I watched from the doorway. Several moments later, his car passed the house.
He stared straight ahead. I sagged into Keir’s arms. It was done, but I felt awful that we had to take something from my now former friend to make it happen.
As I cried harder, Keir swept me up into his arms and carried me to my bedroom.
He lay down with me and comforted me through the emotional storm.