“No… likely not. You’re right. Who else would it be?”
“One of your roommates?” She shakes her head.
“Doubt it. Karla’s a good friend of mine, and Shane’s fucking clueless.”
“We don’t know that.”
She laughs. “Well, we may not, but be that as it may, Tiernan, I think they are the least likely suspects, really.”
I sigh. “I don’t want to use you as bait.”
Her face gentles, and she holds my face in her hands, the way she does. The way that makes my heart ache for her, every fucking time.
“You won’t be using me as bait, babe. I volunteered myself. I need to put myself out there if I’m going to be of any use.” Her eyes cloud. “Please, Tiernan. Let me be of some damn use. I hate that I’ve brought any danger to the McCarthy Clan, and you know I did.”
I shake my head sharply. “Don’t you go there, Aisling. Not at all. I was the one who killed him.”
She winces, but I don’t regret speaking plainly.
There’s a knock at the door. I look at her.
“Don’t look at me,” she says with a shrug. “No idea.”
I push out of bed and get dressed as I head toward the door. I look out at the peephole and see Malachy. He looks at the peep hole and flips me off. With a chuckle, I open the door.
“You alright?”
“Aye.”
He looks behind me, but Aisling’s run into the jacks. “Ruby good?”
“Aye.”
He sighs. “You returning to Ballyhock, then?”
I shake my head and gesture for him to come in. “No, not yet. Keenan wants us to see if we can find any information. He’s on his way here.”
Malachy looks hopeful. “Good. If you’re here, you’ve got me on your side as well.”
I jerk my chin at him. “Thanks, brother.”
There was a time when Malachy was more like a father than a brother, but things are different now that we’re on equal footing. I’m glad to have him at my back.
“You never told me why you weren’t inducted into the Clan, Malachy.”
“Oh, aye. Never really told anyone. I mean, I may as well be an honorary member, though. Truth be told, Keenan and his father treated me like a brother. I haven’t taken the blood vow, or made a commitment, though.”
“Can you tell me why not?”
He smiles grimly. “Had a bit of a history with Maeve.” I blink. It’s literally the last thing I expected him to say.
“Come again?”
“Aye. I’m cousin to Keenan’s late father, Seamus. And before he and Maeve wed, the two of us…dated.”
His pause makes me wonder. “Is that right?”
“Oh, aye. Seemed best I keep my job here at the school. It’s where my heart is, Tiernan. Training the young lads to be McCarthy stock.”
“I understand. Hell, Malachy, I’d like to do it myself some day.”
“Would you? You’d make an excellent teacher.”
I nod.
“Let’s give you a taste today, then. We’re working on your specialty, and I’d love for you to focus on boxing with them.”
Aisling enters the room.
“Hello, Malachy.”
He smiles. “Ruby. Tiernan’s coming to give the boys a lesson in what he does best. Joining us?”
She nods, but looks to me for permission. “Aye. May I?”
I nod. “Keep close watch,” I say to both of them. “Anyone Clifford interacts with. Anyone who looks as if they’re communicating with someone else. Anything at all, you let me know.”
Aisling nods, and worries her lip. “Aye, Tiernan. I’ll do that.”
We head out, but I’m on edge.
My brothers are here. Malachy. Aisling.
Nearly my entire fucking world.
Chapter 16
Aisling
Excitement wells in me, not only because I’m about to see Tiernan as teacher once more, but because Keenan’s put us both on a mission. I know we’re in danger, but between the two of us, I know we’ll be able to find out who’s behind all this. Still, questions plague me.
How will I get out from under the accusations against me?
Who’s the one behind the threat to our safety?
How will this all play out?
I look for signs of anyone or anything that could be after us as we head to a big open field behind the main school. Dozens of lads stand around chatting, but they quiet when we draw near. I don’t miss the way their eyes shine when they look to Tiernan. He was once one of them, just an angry, lost, orphaned boy. It’s this knowledge that makes it easier to forgive him. The two of us have histories and pasts that will work against us.
But we can overcome them.
As I look at the lads that stand round the