Farther inland, weak sun glints off a windshield. My eyes peel at the sight of a light-brown van traveling beneath the trees full of purple wisteria.
Not expecting company, my forearm encircles Ava’s waist, tugging her behind me.
“What is it?” Her breath warms the icy chill at my back.
“Company.”
“Company as in . . . Should we hide?”
“I don’tfeckingturn tail!” I clasp the back of her neck, eyes locked on her. “My clan doesn’t scurry around like rodents, Ava. Guess who thefeck’sin my clan now?You!”
Face twisted, Ava pushes away from me, then tugs the thermal from her skin. “Oh, so the kind of company as in I should squeal like a stuck piggy and tell them you’re holding me against my will. I am not your accomplice, clan, whatever! I can assure you that I’m not!”
“Try me.” I do not afford Ava a second glance. My jaw flexes as we walk the fifteen or so yards toward the courtyard. The minivan pulls to a stop next to the fleet of cars. The back door flies open. My entire heart jumps out of myfeckingchest, tumbles to the ground, and gets trampled on. This is worse than the guilt of Mam’s ghost condemning me twenty-four hours a day. A trillion times worse.
21
Ava
Bracing myself, I struggle through the bone-chilling cold. The wind abrasively beats my clothes, which feel like I wet them and placed them into a sub-zero freezer before placing them back on.
What happened to Kieran’s guards from day one? I haven’t glimpsed a single guy. I’d started to believe the men who darkened the forest were a figment of my imagination, another facet to this nightmare I live in.
But Kieran’s demeanor is calm. Though his gaze is sharper than a hawk as a van approaches the front of the manor. It sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the classic and sports cars, alike.
We’re sitting ducks out here. When the back door swooshes open, I freeze. Will an army of his enemies fly out and riddle bullets into our bodies? Death by firing squad after my suck life sounds like upping the ante appropriately.Dios,I’m ready for the afterlife. Guess it’s not a good time to tell Kieran he abducted the unluckiestchicain the universe.
Instead of my life flashing before my eyes for yet another time, I’m shocked at the sight of a single person.
A young lady, not quite a woman, stands beside the vehicle. Glossy hair flows down her back. At first glance it appears black, but the sun, which hasn’t warmed a single thing, glances off her tresses and turns them an enduring dark red. She’s slender and tall like Kieran with the same wide mouth and a creamier, pale complexion.
The girl launches herself into his arms while his stiff fists anchor at his sides. If warm, cuddly embraces were his kryptonite, he’d be dead, and I’d delight in freedom. Maybe even stick around, start a new life here and not look back.
Kieran punctuates each word with a growl. “What are you doinghere?”
A pang of sadness bites my chest. I must’ve called it all wrong. They resemble each other. Maybe they aren’t family?
Tears bite her eyes closed, but she clasps his face with one hand. “Brother, I miss you.”
His hands go to her shoulders, squeezing as he orders, “Stay.”
Kieran swaggers off. His loud whistle grates my eardrums. The girl snorts, pressing an index finger into her ears.
In the background, men come flooding from all directions as if beckoned like dogs to their master.
“Hi, I’m Kiera.” She smiles, extending a hand.
At my tempered look, she laughs softly. “Takes a while to grow accustomed to it. I’ll agree that paranoia isn’t one of Uncle Ewan’s greatest bits of advice he’s passed down to my brother.”
“Oh, Kieran’s your brother.” I take her hand, eyes longing to assess her for any signs of an ally. Will she believe I’m his abductee?
The confident, bright aura surrounding her diminishes. “He hasn’t mentioned me.”
Uh oh.
Though it’s a battle, I execute half a smile. “I’m Ava.”
“I see why he’s missed some calls on Tuesdays. He’s also been a tad distracted for the past couple of months. You’re the reason?” There’s the smile again. Apparently, there are no hard feelings. She’s happy for her brother.