Tiernan A Dark Irish Mafia Romance - Jane Henry Page 0,66

ring, I know these boys will grow to be men like the Clan. It’s got me a bit pensive.

I don’t see the headmaster, thank fuck. I don’t see Deacon, either. Malachy is the only one I recognize, though within a minute or so of us arriving, Lachlan shows up as well.

“Lachlan showed me damn near everything I know,” Tiernan says with a smirk. “And now I could kick his arse.” He’s a bit older than Tiernan, but not quite as bulky.

“Now, now,” Malachy says. “Did you forget the old man that taught you as well?”

“Never,” Tiernan says with a grin. “Tough as nails, but you helped damn near raise me.”

Malachy cuffs him with a grin.

“Good lad. Now, we need to work on pacing today. The boys have learned to throw punches well, but are ready to move onto something else. Classic new converts, want to lean on the jab instead of learning how to pace.” Malachy beams at Tiernan. “Never knew a fighter who was lighter on his feet than you, so I think it fitting you teach them.”

On Malachy’s command, two large, strapping lads stand at the edge of the ring. One whistles low and says in a loud whisper to his mate, “Tiernan Hurston, works for the McCarthy family.”

Tiernan looks at them sharply, but I don’t know why. They clam up, and one goes a little red.

“Shut it,” one of the boys says. “I want to listen.”

“Don’t tell me to—”

“Excuse me?” Tiernan raises a brow at both of them. He looks to Malachy. “You allow fighting in class, sir?”

Malachy’s steely blue eyes twinkle at Tiernan. “Ach, no,” he says, shaking his head. “But class hasn’t begun yet.” He swivels his gaze to the bickering boys. “And as soon as it is, they’ll stop. Won’t you, lads?”

His tone holds an edge of steel. Tiernan and Malachy are unrelenting, but I realize they’re raising future leaders.

Tiernan steps into the ring, grabs the edge of his t-shirt, and tugs it over his head. He tosses it to me. “Didn’t bring many clothes,” he says with an apologetic grin. “Can’t risk getting that one all sweaty.”

I fan myself with the t-shirt. “Oh, it isn’t a problem.” I give him a wink.

Tiernan bounces on his feet lightly, and my heartbeat quickens.

“As Malachy said, one thing to keep in mind is to always be ready to deflect. Too often, fighters are prepared to throw a punch. But half the battle of a well-played fight is conserving energy and dodging a blow.”

The largest of the boys who watched us come here guffaws. “Bollox,” he says. “Any pussy can dodge a blow.”

Tiernan fixes his stern gaze on the boy. “I’ve beaten some of the most prominent fighters in all of Ireland with these techniques. Care for a demonstration?”

The boy juts out his chin and rolls his eyes. “Fine, then.”

Tiernan beckons the boy over. “Come on, then.”

The boy blanches. “Me?”

A corner of Tiernan’s lips quirk up. “Did you think I was going to fight myself?”

“I didn’t mean…I didn’t think…”

“You a pussy?” A boy to his left hisses.

“You first.” Tiernan says, jerking his fist toward the boy in front. “And you next,” he says to the second boy.

Oh, dear.

Lachlan watches from the sideline, an amused expression written on his face.

“Bare knuckle fighting’s a bit of a dance,” Tiernan says. “Like I said, you need to learn to conserve energy and focus. You come out swinging and decking your opponent, you’ll get winded more quickly, you’ll lose energy, and your focus will be compromised. You throw a punch when it’s time, and not a second before.”

“I call bollox,” his opponent repeats.

Tiernan ducks as the crowd gasps. The boy had the nerve to throw a damn punch but Tiernan dodged him easily. He bounces on the balls of his feet, and the boy throws another punch, which Tiernan dodges once more. A third punch, and fourth, and the boy’s red in the face and winded. Tiernan looks like he’s just come in from a stroll in Maeve’s garden. The boy tries over and over to land a punch, to no avail.

I watch Tiernan dodge and weave, his eyes laser focused and his body taut with concentration, and I swear to God my heartbeat quickens and my blood heats. He’s so fucking hot like this. So fucking hot.

The boy throws another punch, which Tiernan dodges, then he’s making his own move. His hand lashes out and he catches the boy right in the stomach. He falls to his knees, doubled over,