Walking into the kitchen, I whip up a massive serving of scrambled eggs. Niall eats a lot, so I’d better ensure I have enough for six of them.
Once the bacon and pork sausages are cooked, I set the table in the dining room for seven, managing to awkwardly carry the heavy, food-laden serving dishes in, covering them and moving through the house to knock on the den door. I don’t bother waiting for them, turning and going back to the dining room.
As they all file in, I take my seat to the left of the place I have set at the head of the table for Seamus. He stares at the table for a beat, sliding into his chair. Paddy takes the seat across from me, to my husband’s right, and Niall wisely sits as far away from me as possible.
There’s silence as everyone dishes up their food before Seamus breaks it, growling in a low tone.
“You have breakfast with Niall every morning, do you?”
You could hear a pin drop in this room. I roll my eyes at Seamus. He doesn’t like it. I can see how his face hardens, his eyes narrowing at me.
“No. I eat breakfast alone here. Niall eats in there.” I poke my finger at the door to the kitchen. “Same as every meal.”
If they hear the censure in my tone, no one acknowledges it. It’s fucking awkward as we all eat in silence until Seamus speaks up again.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about that for a while.”
I blink in surprise, my eyes flying up to meet his.
“You’ll be coming to the club with me every day.”
I stare at him in confusion. What the hell am I going to do in a strip club? Seamus seems to read the question in my eyes, shrugging.
“You can do inventory and other shit. Until we sort this Bulgarian mess out, I want you close.” His eyes flicker over Niall. “Besides, Niall will be otherwise occupied, so you’ll be down a bodyguard.”
It would be heartwarming if Niall’s preoccupation weren’t so sinister. I nod, a wicked smirk tugging at my lips. I lean forward, my eyes finding Niall down the length of the dining table.
“I’m not sure what you’ll be doing, but I bet you will miss yoga class.”
Niall’s lips twist into a smirk, which drops away quickly at the feral sound that rips out of Seamus, who is now snarling.
“Relax.” I smirk at Seamus, who turns his glare on me. “He’s too busy standing in front of the door and staring at Cheryl and Annie’s asses to notice mine.”
My words don’t appease Seamus like I thought they would.
“He’s not fucking there to stare at women’s asses. He’s there to protectyourfucking ass.”
I open my mouth to point out that Seamus just got upset at the idea of Niall was watching my ass when his eyes narrow, and he snaps at me, pre-empting my words.
“He doesn’t need to have eyes on your ass to watch it.”
Paddy is glaring across the table at me, Connor looks amused, and the other three look like they’re pretending they’re not here. I focus on my plate. I was only having a bit of fun. I didn’t mean to start an argument.
When everyone has finished eating, I move to clear their plates, but Seamus’s hand comes down on my wrist.
“Liam can do that. Get what you need. We’re leaving for the club in ten minutes.”
Nodding, I stand and leave the room. I can hear Seamus yelling at Niall as I head up the stairs. Oops. I should have kept my mouth shut.
Ten minutes later, I’m waiting by the front door with my bag, having changed my moccasins for low, block-heeled brown leather boots and my baggy sweater for a more form-fitting cashmere one.
I have also plaited my hair back off my face. I have my poetry book in my bag if there is nothing for me to do at the club.
Paddy sits in the front of the SUV, and Connor drives while Seamus slides into the back seat with me. They all ignore me for the whole trip, which suits me fine. I don’t want to get anyone else in trouble for being friendly with me.
Chapter Ten
SEAMUS