Killian and Sean are lounging on plush sunbeds next to James’s turquoise glittering pool. They’re both clutching beer bottles. Sean sips intermittently, listening as Killian speaks in a low voice. They’re talking shop. I’d bet my life on it.
Owen wasn’t joking, James’s pool is twice the size of ours. Perhaps my big brother is trying to make up for something, although judging by the grin on Scarlett’s face, he’s doing okay with whatever he’s got.
‘Ivy!’ Scarlett beams, rushing towards us. She takes one look at our joined hands and squeals. ‘Ahh! Welcome to the family!’
James turns to squint at us from the barbecue, swatting smoke away from his face. He puts down the cooking utensils and joins us, slapping my back before hugging Ivy.
‘Great to see you,’ he says, but what he really means is, “great to see you happy”. And I am happy. Though, I’ll be happier when our enemies are six feet under, and Dermot has accepted me as his future brother-in-law. Because I am. Even if Ivy doesn’t know it yet.
Killian and Sean stand to greet us. Killian’s gaze flits between Ivy and me, taking in every micro movement. Sean strolls languidly over. He’s easily the most relaxed of my brothers. I’ve yet to see him with a woman, but I doubt he’s short of them.
‘Great to see you again, Ivy,’ Sean says, pressing a polite peck on my girlfriend’s cheek.
Killian nods but doesn’t touch Ivy. He’s never been big on PDAs and since he returned from his last military tour, he’s been a man of few words. ‘We need to talk,’ he says grimly.
Chapter Forty-Three
IVY
James and Scarlett’s house is like something from a glossy society magazine. So is Caelon’s, but I’ve grown accustomed to its grandeur and I’m far more impressed with the owner than the interior.
Scarlett fetches me a glass of champagne then guides me towards a free sunlounger. ‘Tell. Me. Everything. I need details,’ she squeals, flicking her hair from her shoulders. ‘Didn’t I tell you we were going to be great friends? Who knows? We could even end up being sisters.’ She glances at the enormous solitaire engagement ring on her left hand and beams.
‘Woah, calm down.’ Heat flushes my cheeks. I check to see if Caelon has heard.
But he’s strolling back around the side of the house to speak with Killian in private about something. An ominous feeling slides into my stomach.
‘Ivy, where’s my swimming stuff?’ Orla demands, eyeing the water gleefully as if she hasn’t just returned from a holiday in the sun.
‘It’s in the car. I’ll grab it now.’ I hand Scarlett my glass. ‘I’ll be right back.’
‘And then I need details.’ Scarlett waggles her eyebrows .
‘Are you going for a dip, Ivy?’ Rian calls. ‘It looked like you could do with cooling down.’ He fires a wicked smile my way. It’s a good job Caelon is out of earshot.
‘Very funny,’ I yell, traipsing back towards the car. I hear Caelon before I see him. He sounds like he stopped roughly where he had me pinned against the wall.
I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but Caelon isn’t exactly being discreet.
‘I want blood, not money,’ he growls.
A cold chill sweeps over my skin despite the summer sun.
He promised me.
He fucking promised he’d pick me.
‘And they will, but you don’t need to involve yourself in this. I have men that can take care of it, discreetly.’ Killian’s voice is even deeper than Caelon’s.
‘This is personal,’ Caelon insists in a tone I’ve never heard him use before, and never want to hear again.
‘You’ve got too much to lose if something goes wrong.’
‘I’ve been waiting years. There’s no way I’m going to let the opportunity pass by me now,’ Caelon snaps.
‘So, you’re willing to risk your own life, seeing your children grow up and living happily ever after with your girlfriend?’ Killian’s tone is weighted with warning.
I slam to a halt at the corner of the building.
