Chapter 16 – One Month Later #2
But Gio doesn’t return it. He keeps glancing at me, unnerving me. How much more of this can I take?
My father doesn’t notice the way Gio’s eyes search my face. The way he won’t stop drowning me in these unexplained and unwelcomed emotions.
“Sit down, boys,” he tells Gio and his brother, gesturing toward the loveseat. “I want you two to meet my sons, Tynan, Fionn, and Cillian, as well.”
“Let the women sit instead,” Gio says.
I fit him with a glare, blood rushing to my head, hating that he’s here. I did so well hiding from him. Now he’s going to be family, and there won’t be any hiding.
“I prefer to stand,” I say coldly while my sister moves around to settle on the other empty sofa.
“Gentlemen. You see that, Eriu? What a perfect husband for you,” my father says, as though she’s hit the lottery.
He’s dangerous. He practically killed me. With orgasms.
And now he’s going to do the same to her.
Nausea swirls in my gut.
I can’t be here.
An ache hits the back of my nose; I wish I could bring my mother back to life.
She was the only one I could talk to. I know that if she were alive, she’d be the one who I could open up to and tell her about Gio and me.
With her, I could always be myself in ways I can’t be with anyone else.
I’m surrounded by fighters and killers. Being strong is how I’ve learned to fit in.
But Mom wasn’t like us.
I miss her. The pain festers and gnaws like a wound that never quite healed.
Every time I remember how she died—burned alive by the Russians during the feud between them and my family, I begin to rage.
The bastard who did it is still out there, while she’s not.
Not the time for these thoughts right now. I bury the anguish, not allowing even an ounce to seep through. Not when people are here to see me fall apart.
GIO
Fuck!
I can’t believe she’s standing right in front of me. How the hell is this even possible? How could she be Patrick’s daughter?
I’ve imagined this moment so many times. That instant I found her again. Kissing her, holding her, spanking the shit out of her. But I never imagined this.
And now I have to marry her sister? There’s no way that’s going to happen.
As soon as I saw Red—my Red—I almost forgot why Michael and I were here. The world just shook under my feet, like an earthquake only she had the power to create.
I’ve finally found her.
After all this time, she’s right here, staring at me like she wants to brand me with her knife.
My God, the way I missed her glare…and her smile. Will I ever see that again?
I watch as she starts for the exit once her father is distracted with Michael and his sons, her rich fiery waves flittering against the small of her back as she steps out the door.
She’s not getting away from me that easy. Without drawing attention to myself, I begin to follow her.
“Where are you going?” Michael clasps a heavy palm across my shoulder from behind.
“Phone call.”
He narrows his eyes and mouths, be careful.
I nod, and he lets me go.
He knows exactly where I’m going. When we walked in, I told him I couldn’t marry Eriu because I had met Iseult before and wanted her instead. He told me he’d try to get me out of it, but for now, I had to keep quiet for the sake of peace.
Casually, I walk out into the foyer, seeing two of Patrick’s armed guards—huge mofos, their expressions hard. They look like they’d be fun at parties.
“Did you see where Iseult went?” I ask them with a grin. “She forgot something.”
Shit, I hope they don’t tell Patrick I was looking for her. He’d wonder why the hell I was chasing after the wrong daughter, and we’d have a shit ton of problems we don’t need right now.
“Outside,” one barks.
I give them a tilt of my chin in thanks and get the fuck out the door.
As soon as I head down the steps, I stare out onto the acres of greenery, a few red bricked homes lined up on the right in the distance and a looming mansion set in the middle with another smaller one not too far from it.
“Where is she?” I mutter to myself, running across the grass.
She could be hiding anywhere. And if she left the estate, I swear I’m gonna take Michael’s car and chase her down to the ends of the earth.
I keep running, hoping to see someone so I can ask them where Iseult had disappeared to. She’s like damn Houdini.
Just as I pass the larger mansion, a blonde woman steps out, black leather jacket and tight jeans. The same one I saw with Red at the bar when they were drugging some idiot.
“Hey,” I call to her. “Could you help me with something?”
She squints, assessing me up and down. “Who the hell are you?”
“My apologies.” I step up to her and extend a hand in greeting. “Gio. Here by Patrick’s invitation.”
“Well…” She grins. “In that case…” She shakes my hand. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for Red—I mean Iseult. I have to talk to her.”
Her eyes grow wide and she barely moves an inch. “Uh…what did you just call her?”
“Red. It’s a long story.” I chuckle. “I’d like to think she and I are friends. Even though she’d probably tell you different.” A wide grin fastens to my lips.
“That does sound like her.” She slants her head, her attention on me narrowed.
“So, do you know where she is? I really need to talk to her. It’s urgent.”
She folds her arms over her chest, those coppery eyes gleaming in challenge. “If Iseult doesn’t want to be found, then I can’t help you.”
“Fucking hell. Come on. I promise I won’t rat you out.” I run a frustrated hand through my full hair.
Knowing Red, she could be halfway across the country by now.
“Who did you say you were again?” Her face grows wary, assessing me even more, her hazel eyes darkening.
“Gio. Italian.”
“Shit,” she whispers. “Are you the one who’s supposed to marry Eriu, or are you the brother?”
“I’m definitely not my brother.” I grin. “And I have no interest in Eriu.” An exhale roughs through my lungs. “Look, if you’re not going to help me, then I’ll find her myself.”
Muttering a curse, I give her my back and start down toward the grass. I won’t leave this place until I have spoken to her. Because if she thinks I have forgotten her or what she did—or what we shared—she has another thing coming.
“Hold on,” the blonde woman calls, rushing after me.
I stop and wait for her.
“How do you know Iseult? And don’t lie to me.” She props a hand on her hip. “I’m her best friend, and I’ll kill you if you’re here to hurt her.”
There’s indignation in those eyes. She’d do it.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone.” I shuffle a step forward, shaking my head, not sure how much I should tell her.
“We met about a year ago.” I chuckle distantly at the memory.
“Then she ran off on me. Twice, I might add.” She listens intently as I go on.
“So I’ve been looking for her for a year, hoping to talk to her, to explore the connection we had, but she was nowhere to be found.
Until today. Until I saw her standing next to the one they say I’m supposed to marry. ”
“Oh…my…God…” she whispers, mouth parted, eyes caught in disbelief.
“What?” I ask, not sure which part surprised her the most.
“I’ll tell you exactly where you can find her. Follow me.”