“Ah, no,” Tiernan says, pouring the steaming hot water. “She’s coming with me to St. Albert’s.”
“Doesn’t have to be anything formal, Tiernan,” Caitlin says. “I just meant that the women wanted to welcome her is all.”
Why would I need a Clan welcome when I’m only here for a brief time?
What will happen to me after this?
Caitlin smiles. “Would’ve brought Megan and Aileen as well, and even Sheena would’ve liked to see you again, but we didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
I nod. “Appreciated.”
“Now tell us, Aisling,” Maeve says, her eyes growing sober. I can see why she’s garnered respect from the highhanded men of the Clan. “Are you sober?”
“Aye,” Tiernan says. “Fully.”
I nod and swallow. “Aye.”
“Ah, good to hear,” she says, her eyes warming. “I’d hate for you to still suffer.”
Though the worst of it’s over, I still do feel the withdrawal symptoms. I’m ashamed I ever let any of that into my body.
“Do you have anything with you?” Fiona asks. “Any of your belongings?”
I shake my head.
“Good, then,” she says with a grin. “Will give us an excuse to shop!”
I must look bewildered, for Maeve grins at me. “We’re always looking for an excuse to shop. We’ll get you right fixed for your trip to the school.”
I look sharply at Tiernan. “School?”
He sighs. “Was planning on telling you that. We’re heading to St. Albert’s for the weekend.”
“St. Albert’s?”
He nods. “Aye. It’s the Clan finishing school. I went there myself as a lad. Keenan’s afraid if word gets out what happened, investigations will happen here. If you’re not on the premises… if neither of us are… it’ll go better for us. And there’s enough distance between the school and Ballyhock to ensure that we’ll hear notice before anyone comes looking.”
I don’t want to leave here, but this is serious business.
“When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning, first thing.”
“Good, then,” Fiona says. “We’ve plenty of time.”
I’m eager to have friends again, and feel welcomed by this small group of women.
She places her hand on my knee and gives me a gentle squeeze. “It’s good to have you back, Ais.”
I sigh. Aye. It’s good to have me back, too.Chapter 11TiernanI hate being the bearer of bad news, but there’s no damn way I’ll allow it.
“Sorry, Fiona, but no,” I tell her. Aisling’s not going anywhere.
“Tiernan,” Maeve says. “Does anyone even know she’s here?”
“Doesn’t matter. The long and short of it is, I won’t jeopardize her safety by allowing her to go into the town centre.”
“Even with a guard?” Maeve asks, but she isn’t just giving me crap. She wants to truly know.
I sigh, and give them all sober looks. They need to know how serious this is, as they weren’t privy to the conversation with the men this morning.
“Even with a guard.”
Fiona’s cheeks flush pink, but Caitlin and Maeve nod.
“Tiernan, for Christ’s sake,” Fiona snaps. “She’s free to—”
Caitlin clears her throat. “She isn’t, though, Fiona.”
Maeve nods. “Aye. And y’ought to know that, love.”
Fiona opens her mouth, then shuts it, her cheeks flushing even deeper red. She follows Clan expectations when it comes to respect for Keenan, or even her husband, Lachlan. But it seems when it comes to her older brother, it’s a different story.
I cross my arms and lean against the counter, unmoved.
“It’s my hope there comes a time when you girls can shop to your heart’s content,” I tell them honestly. How I wouldn’t fucking love to spoil Aisling, give her a pocketful of cash and plastic and tell her to buy whatever the hell she wants. “But now isn’t the time. Now we need to focus on safety.”
Aisling’s eyes are on me, but I can’t quite read her expression. Is she angry that I’m insisting on this? I don’t much care if she is. Safety’s of paramount importance right now.
Fiona frowns, and her lips turn down in a pout. “Could do some online shopping, then,” she says petulantly, like a child who’s just conceded. “Unless you’ll restrict that, too, Tiernan!”
I grin at her, and Aisling’s eyes shine.
“Of course she can bloody well shop online. What do you think I am, an ogre?”
“Don’t want me to answer that question,” Fiona mutters, and Aisling laughs out loud. Brats.
“Now, Tiernan,” Maeve says. “You haven’t been lifting or getting your runs in, have you?”
I shake my head, and Aisling looks a bit sorrowful.
“I’m sorry, Tiernan.”
“Don’t be. It’s only been a few days, and making sure you were alright was top priority.”
Fiona softens a bit. “Suppose you’re not all bad, then,” she says with a wink.
Maeve stands and stretches. “This is a great time for you to go get your workout in, since we’re here with Aisling. Seems we could use a bit of a girl chat, couldn’t we?”
“Oh, aye,” Caitlin says, nodding.
“Absolutely,” Fiona says.
I’m loathe to leave the lass, even if she’s in good hands, but Christ, I’m dying for a good workout. And Keenan said if Aisling renews her friendship with Fiona, she’ll be more loyal to the Clan.