Chapter 14
Kerry
Astero is going to pay for what he’s done. He thinks he’s clever. He isn’t anything but a fool, one that’s going to learn not to fuck with the Irish Demon. Especially not when it comes to Amy.
It’s clear that she’s greatly distraught over whatever the fuck her grandfather put her through, even if she’s trying not to show it. At first, I thought she was just being shy again. But as the dinner went on, her trembling hands, darting eyes, and jumpy demeanor made it clear something happened.
First, I noticed her strange appetite. Initially, she seemed to not have one at all as she ate the lobster bisque.
I could tell she didn’t want to be here, much less interact with people, so I tried to help.
But when she mostly stirred her food around, her shoulders tense and her throat struggling to swallow, I wondered if I ordered incorrectly for her.
She said she liked seafood, but maybe it wasn’t to her taste.
But then she seemed to overcome whatever she had been struggling with.
From there, she ate ravenously. It puzzled me at first, but then the answer dawned on me: she hadn’t eaten.
Whatever he did to her today was severe enough to terrify her, and he didn’t let her eat during it.
It was hard to tell she felt ill because of all the gaudy makeup she had caked onto her face.
I doubt that was her idea, considering I know how she usually dresses from my five years of watching her.
To say that I’m furious would be like calling a tiger a housecat. I’ll be putting the fear of god into Astero, or maybe the fear of the devil, soon enough. Just as soon as I get Amy away from him so she doesn’t get caught in the middle.
As we stand up to leave the restaurant, Amy looks a little bit wobbly on her feet still.
I see Astero practically bolting from around the table, dragging his wife along.
It seems he wants to be the one to lead the way out of the restaurant this time.
The man’s desperate need to try to one-up me is laughable.
But I don’t mind letting him go ahead. It gives me more space and time to walk with Amy, my hand on the small of her back. “I wanted to ask you something.” I whisper in her ear.
I don’t miss how she tenses, or the slight goose pimples that rise on her arms. It seems contradictory, like she’s at war with herself. But it brings me some comfort that my looks and charms aren’t lost on her. “Yes?” She asks, her voice soft and meek.
I can’t help the smirk that twitches on my lips, a recurring issue when I’m dealing with my leannán.
One I’m not looking to fix. “Would you like to go out with me tomorrow? Nothing related to the…business. I want to see the city, maybe go to some of the tourist attractions, explore it and have some fun…and I thought you might like that, too.”
I’m still angry with Astero about arranging the meeting with O’Neil, the dock owner, to be tomorrow morning.
He knew I wanted to take Amy out, but he arranged it to be that morning anyway.
Which meant that he either wanted to sneak it behind my back when he knew I’d be occupied, or he wanted to make me choose between Amy or the docks.
The bloody bastard.
I can see that Amy is chewing on the inside of her cheek, a habit I’ve picked up that she does when nervous. “Um…yeah, I can join you.”
My eyes study her, how her eyes flicker nervously, how she’s still chewing her cheek, how she’s tugging her on her sleeve. Her feet turn to the side away from me, like she doesn’t want to be having this conversation.
Her answer isn’t very enthusiastic. In fact, the idea seems to stress her out. I realize she’s just saying yes to please me. “You don’t have to, you know. You have a choice.”
Her eyes flicker up to meet mine, as if surprised. “Well…okay.”
“Okay?” I arch an eyebrow. “Okay, what?”
She opens and closes her mouth as she tries to figure out what to answer me. She’s still nervous and walking on eggshells around me, which after the day she’s had, I don’t blame her.
It dawns on me that she may not want to go out after the horrific day she’s had. Putting myself in her shoes, I wouldn’t want to, either. And I’m not even autistic, which, from the reading I did on the subject, people with autism need a lot of alone time. “Do you need a day to recover?”
She looks even more surprised, those pretty eyes widening as she looks up at me. Much like she did when I told her she didn’t need to talk at the dinner if she didn’t want to. She’s not used to being considered, that much is clear. It frustrates me to no end.
She gives a slow nod. “That… would be nice.”
Part of me is relieved, since we’d have to start late anyways after my meeting with the dock owner and Astero, but also disappointed that I wouldn’t get to spend time with her tomorrow.
But I can tell she needs this and I know acknowledging her needs is the best way to help her and earn her trust. “Very well. You relax tomorrow. How about the day after?”
A slight smile rises on her lips, and it sucks the air right out of my lungs. “Yes. I can do that. I just need a day to rest and recover.”
We step out of the restaurant, the cool air surrounding us. I notice goose pimples rise up on her arms, now because of the cold, and she rubs them a little. I take off my suit jacket and drape it over her shoulders. I’m not a gentleman. But for her, I’ll try to be.
She looks at me in wonder, which makes my heart feel a tad too warm, too close to feeling.
My eyes grow half-lidded as I look down at her, feeling that pull towards her, to hold her close.
To make her look at me in wonder until she’s so used to being treated like a treasure that it doesn’t shock her anymore.
My hand slides down her arm through the fabric of the jacket before dropping limply at my side. “Then rest. It’ll make our time together even more enjoyable when you are refreshed.”
Her throat bobs as she swallows, nodding a bit.
I know I make her head spin. She’s not sure what to think of me.
Considering what she presumed I was, a monster and a cruel man, I’m not surprised.
She’s not wrong to guess that, it is what I am.
But things are different when it comes to her.
They always have been and always will be.
I let her slide into the limo first after her grandparents get in. The restaurant must’ve arranged for the car to arrive when we neared the end of our meal. That’s the definition of luxury, after all, not even having to ask.
This time, Amy doesn’t even think about sitting anywhere but in the seat beside me.
Good. She’s already learning where her place is, at my side and in my arms. I close the door, and the limo starts moving.
I can’t help but sneak glances at the beautiful girl next to me.
She looks good in my jacket, which is something I’ll have to keep in mind for the future.
“What a wonderful dinner. Thank you, honey, for taking me out,” Mrs. Astero says in a syrupy sweet voice as she forces a smile at her husband, making me want to smirk.
The older man, however, looks quite pleased with her performance. He grins broadly and pats her hand. “Happy to treat you, my dear.” Yeah, like feckin’ hell you do.
He was squeamish throughout the entire dinner at having to pay the high prices. The only reason he got dessert was because I ordered it for Amy and myself. Everything had to be about being the top dog with him. It makes me regret having to be involved with him at all.
But the docks and Amy are worth it.
I’m glad Amy wasn’t raised around her grandparents. The fact that she’s so different from them is a gift.
As if she heard my thoughts and wanted to prove me right, the sweet thing turns to me with a sweet expression, a soft smile on her face. “Yes, thank you for dinner Mr. Alasdair. I appreciate it.”
Her calling me Mr. Alasdair makes me want to laugh and choke on air at the same time. But the genuine gratitude in her eyes captivates me, making me unable to do either. I clear my throat, forcing myself to behave, even if all I want to do is kiss her senseless. “You’re welcome.”
The rest of the car ride back to the hotel is tense.
Mrs. Astero keeps glancing at Amy and I, while her husband refuses to look anywhere near us.
Amy is fiddling with my jacket, but otherwise doesn’t seem overly uncomfortable.
I stretch my legs out again, relaxing against the leather seat.
I can’t wait to get out of this car and away from Astero.
More importantly, I can’t wait to get Amy away from him.
But I’m not going to show any discomfort.
When we arrive back at the hotel, I get out first and help Amy just like before.
I don’t even look behind us to see if her grandparents are following as we step into the lobby, my hand on Amy’s back.
I look down at her as we walk in, looking at the cute little sundress she’s wearing.
I didn’t pay much attention to it before.
I was too busy thinking about what she looks like without it.
But it’s the only part of her outfit that feels like…
well, her. The rest feels pasted on like a costume that doesn’t quite fit.
Considering the makeup is in the same style as her grandmother’s, I have no doubt who put the costume on her.
“I like your dress.” I tug on her hair a little, trying to be playful. I want to help her relax in my presence, to put her at ease.
Her eyes widen as she looks up at me. “You do?”
I arch my brow. Why does she look so surprised? “Yes. Is that so shocking?”
A small smirk appears on her lips, and it reminds me of that phone call I overheard between her and her friend, where she freely expressed her mischievousness. I’m finally getting a chance to see the real her. “It’s nothing expensive.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her impish grin. “So?”