“One of your roommates?” She shakes her head.
“Doubt it. Karla’s a good friend of mine, and Shane’s fucking clueless.”
“We don’t know that.”
She laughs. “Well, we may not, but be that as it may, Tiernan, I think they are the least likely suspects, really.”
I sigh. “I don’t want to use you as bait.”
Her face gentles, and she holds my face in her hands, the way she does. The way that makes my heart ache for her, every fucking time.
“You won’t be using me as bait, babe. I volunteered myself. I need to put myself out there if I’m going to be of any use.” Her eyes cloud. “Please, Tiernan. Let me be of some damn use. I hate that I’ve brought any danger to the McCarthy Clan, and you know I did.”
I shake my head sharply. “Don’t you go there, Aisling. Not at all. I was the one who killed him.”
She winces, but I don’t regret speaking plainly.
There’s a knock at the door. I look at her.
“Don’t look at me,” she says with a shrug. “No idea.”
I push out of bed and get dressed as I head toward the door. I look out at the peephole and see Malachy. He looks at the peep hole and flips me off. With a chuckle, I open the door.
“You alright?”
“Aye.”
He looks behind me, but Aisling’s run into the jacks. “Ruby good?”
“Aye.”
He sighs. “You returning to Ballyhock, then?”
I shake my head and gesture for him to come in. “No, not yet. Keenan wants us to see if we can find any information. He’s on his way here.”
Malachy looks hopeful. “Good. If you’re here, you’ve got me on your side as well.”
I jerk my chin at him. “Thanks, brother.”
There was a time when Malachy was more like a father than a brother, but things are different now that we’re on equal footing. I’m glad to have him at my back.
“You never told me why you weren’t inducted into the Clan, Malachy.”
“Oh, aye. Never really told anyone. I mean, I may as well be an honorary member, though. Truth be told, Keenan and his father treated me like a brother. I haven’t taken the blood vow, or made a commitment, though.”
“Can you tell me why not?”
He smiles grimly. “Had a bit of a history with Maeve.” I blink. It’s literally the last thing I expected him to say.
“Come again?”
“Aye. I’m cousin to Keenan’s late father, Seamus. And before he and Maeve wed, the two of us…dated.”
His pause makes me wonder. “Is that right?”
“Oh, aye. Seemed best I keep my job here at the school. It’s where my heart is, Tiernan. Training the young lads to be McCarthy stock.”
“I understand. Hell, Malachy, I’d like to do it myself some day.”
“Would you? You’d make an excellent teacher.”
I nod.
“Let’s give you a taste today, then. We’re working on your specialty, and I’d love for you to focus on boxing with them.”
Aisling enters the room.
“Hello, Malachy.”
He smiles. “Ruby. Tiernan’s coming to give the boys a lesson in what he does best. Joining us?”
She nods, but looks to me for permission. “Aye. May I?”
I nod. “Keep close watch,” I say to both of them. “Anyone Clifford interacts with. Anyone who looks as if they’re communicating with someone else. Anything at all, you let me know.”
Aisling nods, and worries her lip. “Aye, Tiernan. I’ll do that.”
We head out, but I’m on edge.
My brothers are here. Malachy. Aisling.
Nearly my entire fucking world.
Chapter 16
Aisling
Excitement wells in me, not only because I’m about to see Tiernan as teacher once more, but because Keenan’s put us both on a mission. I know we’re in danger, but between the two of us, I know we’ll be able to find out who’s behind all this. Still, questions plague me.
How will I get out from under the accusations against me?
Who’s the one behind the threat to our safety?
How will this all play out?
I look for signs of anyone or anything that could be after us as we head to a big open field behind the main school. Dozens of lads stand around chatting, but they quiet when we draw near. I don’t miss the way their eyes shine when they look to Tiernan. He was once one of them, just an angry, lost, orphaned boy. It’s this knowledge that makes it easier to forgive him. The two of us have histories and pasts that will work against us.
But we can overcome them.
As I look at the lads that stand round the ring, I know these boys will grow to be men like the Clan. It’s got me a bit pensive.
I don’t see the headmaster, thank fuck. I don’t see Deacon, either. Malachy is the only one I recognize, though within a minute or so of us arriving, Lachlan shows up as well.
“Lachlan showed me damn near everything I know,” Tiernan says with a smirk. “And now I could kick his arse.” He’s a bit older than Tiernan, but not quite as bulky.
“Now, now,” Malachy says. “Did you forget the old man that taught you as well?”
“Never,” Tiernan says with a grin. “Tough as nails, but you helped damn near raise me.”
Malachy cuffs him with a grin.
“Good lad. Now, we need to work on pacing today. The boys have learned to throw punches well, but are ready to move onto something else. Classic new converts, want to lean on the jab instead of learning how to pace.” Malachy beams at Tiernan. “Never knew a fighter who was lighter on his feet than you, so I think it fitting you teach them.”
On Malachy’s command, two large, strapping lads stand at the edge of the ring. One whistles low and says in a loud whisper to his mate, “Tiernan Hurston, works for the McCarthy family.”
Tiernan looks at them sharply, but I don’t know why. They clam up, and one goes a little red.
“Shut it,” one of the boys says. “I want to listen.”
“Don’t tell me to—”
“Excuse me?” Tiernan raises a brow at both of them. He looks to Malachy. “You allow fighting in class, sir?”
Malachy’s steely blue eyes twinkle at Tiernan. “Ach, no,” he says, shaking his head. “But class hasn’t begun yet.” He swivels his gaze to the bickering boys. “And as soon as it is, they’ll stop. Won’t you, lads?”
His tone holds an edge of steel. Tiernan and Malachy are unrelenting, but I realize they’re raising future leaders.
Tiernan steps into the ring, grabs the edge of his t-shirt, and tugs it over his head. He tosses it to me. “Didn’t bring many clothes,” he says with an apologetic grin. “Can’t risk getting that one all sweaty.”
I fan myself with the t-shirt. “Oh, it isn’t a problem.” I give him a wink.
Tiernan bounces on his feet lightly, and my heartbeat quickens.
“As Malachy said, one thing to keep in mind is to always be ready to deflect. Too often, fighters are prepared to throw a punch. But half the battle of a well-played fight is conserving energy and dodging a blow.”