Mafia King (Young Irish Rebels #2) - Vi Carter Page 0,83

need to create distance between us.

I force a grin as I unlock the car. “It’s good news, Emma. Don’t look so worried.” I climb in, and when she’s in her seat, she faces me.

“We are going back to Meath.” I start the car.

“Why?”

“You don’t sound very happy.” I shift into reverse, a welcome excuse for doing anything else but looking at her.

“I am.” She stutters and drags on her seatbelt. “It’s just you didn’t look happy. I thought there was something wrong.”

“No, everything is fine.”

“I know when you’re lying to me.”

Her words have me tightening my jaw, but I laugh. “Emma, love. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”

Emma falls silent and stares out the window, but from the set of her shoulders, I can tell it won’t last long. She’s festering and ready to explode, and I don’t want to have this conversation with her.

“I don’t like leaving my ma. Going down south isn’t where I want to be, but it’s where I need to go.”

Like magic, the weight falls off Emma’s shoulders. As she faces me, her features soften. “Why do we need to go now? Why not spend some time with your mom then?”

“We are going there now to say goodbye.”

“It’s still not adding up, Shay.” Emma continues, and I’m wondering how much more she needs to be fed. She has seen and heard too much already. `

“You got the man’s location. The one you are going to kill.” Her words swell and sound bruised like she knows I’m going to lie to her.

I tighten my hands on the steering wheel as I drive to my ma’s. Emma stops asking questions. The moment I pull up outside the house, I wait to see if anyone comes out; no one does. I should just leave and go back down south, but the last time I left on such bad terms, it didn’t sit right with me. I turn off the car.

“Are you sure I should come in?” Emma’s voice carries a high level of uncertainty. She’s thinking of my da, no doubt.

“No one will hurt you.” I reach for the door handle. Emma’s small fingers touch my arm, stopping me from getting out.

“Is it what I said about the whole love thing? Because I don’t love you.”

I detect the lie, so I give her a moment before I look at her. “There is nothing wrong. You’re overanalyzing everything. I don’t blame you. A lot has happened, so every decision you need to look at closely, but this time, we are just going back south. You can plan the wedding, live your life. I really thought you would be happier.”

Emma’s fingers leave my arm. “Okay.” She looks away from me as she speaks. I get out, and Emma follows. The front door opens, and I smile, a real smile as my ma smiles at me.

The moment I’m in reach, she hugs me. “I’ve been worried.” She whispers in my ear while her hands run through my hair like they did when I was just a boy. It was her way of making sure I was alright after a fall or argument with my da. To think she’s still doing it has me stepping out of her embrace but taking her hands in mine.

“Stop worrying about me. Da and I always fix things.”

She tightens her lips together, her eyes glaze over, and she nods her head. I kiss her cheek and release her hands.

All her emotions dissolve, and she relaxes and smiles at Emma. “I’m surprised you haven’t run a mile.” She hugs Emma. “I’m glad you haven’t.”

“My dad and brother are always at loggerheads.” Emma smiles at my ma, and I hate how much it fucks with my head. How much I want this for both of them, but I can’t give them what they want.

“But I know Noel’s really my dad's favorite.”

My ma laughs and closes the door as we all go into the kitchen. “Connor adores Shay. They are just too much alike.”

My ma walks up to me and touches my bare cheek. “Since you shaved, it’s like looking at a younger version of your da. Brings back memories.”

Noise on the stairs has me sitting at the kitchen table. Emma must have heard the noise, too, as she sits down beside me, pulling her chair closer to me. All I want to do is put distance between us, but right now, I don’t want to see the fear on her face. I throw my arm along