Page 66 of Whiskey & Witches
“I’ll be the first to tell ya; kindness was never allowed in my world. Remember that when dealing with Moira or my father. They’ll murder you where you stand, and your family will be causalities, too. Never give them a chance to get close.” His gaze bore into Carrick’s as he tried to get his point across. “Never.If you see them, kill them. No mercy, yeah?” Carrick studied him, and Ronan sensed an underlying pity. He wanted to shake the man and beat some sense into him. “No mercy,O’Malley. Promise it.”
“He promises,” Roisin said from the sofa. “As do I.”
“Ro—”
“No, Carrick.” Impatiently, she shoved back her hair as she sat up. “Look, you didn’t see Moira’s madness, but I did. She was gleeful.” Roisin gestured toward Ronan without looking at him. “If his father is as bad or worse than Moira, we should be gnashing our teeth and losing sleep.”
Rebecca, who had remained silent since he woke, moved to stand at Ronan’s feet. She, too, stared at Carrick and ignored him. “Your wife is correct, Mr. O’Malley. Speak to Alastair or Damian. They’ll set you up with someone at the Witches’ Council who you can talk to. Perhaps be on a call list for early alerts should the senior O’Connor escape.”
Carrick held up a hand. “I’ll do what it takes to protect my family, and I’ll study what I need to so I can use what’s been gifted to me.”
“That’s all I ask,” Ronan said.
“Okay, all of you, time to let our patient rest.” Rebecca retrieved her medical bag and returned. “I want to check your vitals.”
Throughout the process,both doctor and patient were stoic and avoided meeting each others’ eyes, leaving Roisin to wonder if she’d have been the same way with Carrick had they not resolved their differences. She squeezed the hand cradling hers, and her husband kissed her temple.
“I feel sad for them,” she said, for his hearing alone. “I think she really cared for him and was torn between him and her family.”
“Sure, and it’s hard to believe hers is the only love he’s ever known,” Carrick replied just as quietly.
“Should we set him up with Bridget, do ya think?”
He chuckled. “Only if you want to see a giant of a man terrified. Dealing with my sister would probably make him take a flying leap off a short pier.”
Roisin swatted his arm as she giggled. “She isn’t that bad.”
“I’ll let my sister make her own decisions, all the same, thanks. That way it’ll save us from her temper.”
“Good point. Anyway, she’s still in love with Ruairí.”
Her comment caused Carrick to jerk sideways and stare down at her. “What?”
“Sure, and isn’t it as obvious as the nose on your pretty face?” she said pertly. It was easy to tell when her knowing look got under his skin, and she couldn’t resist a grin.
“I wondered at times, and yeah, I knew they were attracted to each other, but not that she loved him.” He shook his head. “How long have you been party to that information, woman?”
“Since I caught them snogging behind the pub.”
He shifted and glared. “When?”
“She was fifteen or so.” She scoffed at his indignation. “Oh, give over, Carrick. Not one O’Malley is a saint, with the exception of that one.” Roisin gestured to Aeden. “I recall a time or two when you and I—”
Clamping a hand over her mouth, he shot a sharp glance their son’s way, checking that he was still asleep. “Shhh, or there will be no controlling him when he’s that age.”
A smile curled her mouth beneath his palm, and he moved his hand to replace it with a tender kiss.
“It didn’t turn out too badly for us.” She gazed up at him with all the love in her heart. “Did it?”
“No, pet, it turned out just grand.”
She cuddled into him and looked back at Ronan only to find the man watching them with a hint of a smile and a whole lot of sadness. Yes, she’d find him someone to make him happy. He deserved a second chance for giving Aeden back to her.
CHAPTER26
Damian joined their group, and after checking on Ronan, he approached Roisin. “You came to me to heal your son, but obviously, Beastie did that outside earlier. Now, I offer you the choice. Do you wish me to reverse the damages done by the accident, or are you prepared to go on as you are?”
She looked at Carrick.
