Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Mum released a shuddering breath. “Did you talk to the doctors? Will she wake?”
I’d only briefly talked to one of Imogen’s doctors, but like Lorcan he offered little hope for my sister’s future, whether she woke or not.
“They don’t know. I’ll make sure she gets the best medical care and I’ll talk to her every day so she knows she’s loved. She’s a Killeen. She won’t give up without a good fight.”
“I should be there, with you, with Imogen.”
I bit my lip. I wanted her here, wanted nothing more, but I knew Mum ran away from New York for a reason. Even if Lorcan’s uncle was long dead, Mum might still have enemies here.
“If you want to fly over, Lorcan will pay for you and Finn. I talked to him. To him you’re family.”
“Family,” she scoffed, but then became quiet. “I don’t want charity, not from a Devaney. I’ll ask Sean if he can give me some money.”
I doubted he’d give her anything considering his reaction when I’d asked him for money, but maybe Mum had wrapped him around her finger again. “Okay. But we are paying for Finn’s ticket. No arguments.”
Sean had a successful business but he had a penchant for expensive Scotch, poker and vintage cars, so even if he decided to loan Mum money, he wouldn’t have enough to spare for Finn as well.
“We? Are you and Lorcan an item again?”
Mum’s voice was neutral. I froze, shaking my head then realized Mum couldn’t see it. And would it really have been the truth? Lorcan and I were still married. But he’d sent me away … and now I was back and supposed to return to our apartment and maybe his bed. Mum had never mentioned the night I had spent with Lorcan though I could tell she’d known I had been with him.
“Don’t worry about me, Mum. I’ll handle everything. Tell me when you’ll be there.”
“I know you will, I’m just worried by what that means.”
I hung up, and took Imogen’s hand again. Mum’s words kept repeating in my head. Mum used Sean’s infatuation to her advantage so he’d borrow her money. She never really gave him hope that they could be a couple, and she only did it when things were really dire for us. Still, she used him. Imogen had always used her beauty to get what she wanted. Rarely were her motives noble. And now I was using Lorcan, and I had been since the moment I’d met him in Sodom. Using men seemed to be a Killeen trait.
Lorcan blackmailed me. But was I still using him? I had agreed to live in his apartment. Was I doing this to get what I wanted? I wanted to stay in New York. I wanted to find Imogen’s attackers. I needed Lorcan’s help for that. I wouldn’t go to the police again. For one, I didn’t believe they could help me with this. And I didn’t want to betray Lorcan again. Even if he’d kept Imogen’s appearance from me, he made sure she was protected and taken care of. He didn’t have to do it. He didn’t know her and probably didn’t like her. He’d done it for me. I rubbed my face. I was tired and confused. I put my head down on Imogen’s hospital bed, trying to shut off my thoughts.
I must have fallen asleep soon after.
“Mrs. Devaney?”
I groaned, disoriented.
“Mrs. Devaney?”
I jerked my head up, startled by the use of the name. In Dublin I’d introduced myself as Killeen, but now back in New York, I was Lorcan’s wife again.
Corbin stood in the doorway. “It’s seven. I’m supposed to take you home now.”
Home. Lorcan’s apartment. I slanted a look at my sister, who lay as motionless as she had when I arrived. Maybe I was hoping for a miracle. That she’d wake if she heard and felt a familiar person.
I kissed her forehead then got up and followed Corbin out. He’d grabbed my small suitcase. I felt strangely nervous when we arrived on Lorcan’s street. With a quick thanks I got out of the car and took my suitcase. Corbin waited until I reached the front door, which opened, revealing Lorcan. He gave a nod at Corbin then took the suitcase from me and together we ascended the staircase. We didn’t talk, which only increased my nerves.
Everything was still exactly as I remembered it. The potted plant that I’d bought was still alive, resting on the windowsill of the living room, which surprised me. I would have thought it’d be all dried out by now. Lorcan must have watered it.
“I’m sure you’re hungry,” Lorcan said.
I nodded.
“This is from a new pub around the corner. It’s not very good. Nothing is compared to your cooking.”
Lorcan filled two bowls with stew and we dug in. I occasionally glanced at him. An apology sat on the tip of my tongue but I couldn’t get it out. He leaned back when he was finished eating, looking as manly and bear-like as I fantasized about in my dirty dreams. Especially our last encounter in New York, me hanging from chains, had often replayed in my fantasies. It was wild, overwhelming, painful, and thrilling in a way that still got my pulse racing and my core clench with need, though I doubted I needed a repeat performance of that incident.