“You… sound happy.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Ireland is a lovely country.”
“Good. I’m glad. You’re settling in all right, then?”
“Oh, yes.”
“And Declan?”
She hesitates. “Yes, he’s a shadow,” she says carefully.
“I know you didn’t want to have a bodyguard, but I really feel like I can sleep better at night knowing he’s there with you.”
“At least one of us is sleeping.”
I wince. “You aren’t? What, uh, ever happened with Father? I know he was heading to—”
“Italy, yes, but I don’t know if he ever showed up. I let and never looked back, and since I have this here bodyguard with me, I feel like maybe I can finally stop running and start living, although trying to do this alone, knowing you and your brother are vulnerable—”
“We aren’t vulnerable,” I try to assure her. “Kyle can more than handle himself.”
“Yes, but you—”
“I did take all those karate lessons, right? I’m not a pushover, no matter what you or Father might think. And I’ve made some… friends here at college.”
“Big, strong, strapping young lads?”
“Yes, actually,” I murmur. “Something like that.”
“Well, that’s good, but I know you. You aren’t going to want to get them involved in all of this bullshit.”
“Mom! Such language,” I tease.
“I just want you to be safe. Not just me. Just because you’re eighteen now doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop caring about you. Your safety is still my number one concern.”
“I appreciate that. I really do, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’m safe. I’m good.”
“That’s easy enough for you to say, but that doesn’t mean that’s actually the case.”
“Why would I lie?” I demand.
“Because you want me to believe you’re safe even if that’s not actually the case.”
“Believe me.”
“I want to,” she murmurs, “but it’s not easy to.”
“I’m not a liar.”
“You can stretch the truth at times, and I can most certainly believe that you would lie about things concerning your father.” She huffs a sigh. “Why did you call? To see if he somehow found me? He didn’t. He wasted the money and time related to that ticket.”
“Thank God. I just wanted to touch base, that’s all.”
“Well, I’m good. My food is getting cold.”
“Then you go ahead and eat.”
“Thank you, honey. Please—”