Page 124 of Deceived Wrath

She snorts. “Are you kidding me? You’ve been awful.”

My lips twitch as I raise a brow. “Awful?”

I take a slow sip to hide the laugh threatening to slip out.

God help me, she’s braver than she looks.

“I guess I have. Maybe we should have a fresh start?”

Fiona studies me, like she’s trying to figure out where the trap is. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I drop down onto the couch beside her.

After a beat, she lifts her glass and clinks it against mine. “Fine. Here’s to a fresh start.”

My eyes remain locked on her as she takes a drink, watching the way her throat bobs as she swallows.

If Fiona notices me staring, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she lowers her glass and looks over to the bookcase. “Was that you with your mom?”

I take a drink to try to numb the ache in my chest. “Yeah.”

“You look happy.”

“I was. She was the parent I was closest to. With her, everything felt…easier.”

“And your dad?”

My jaw tenses as I think of Seamus. “It’s complicated.”

Fiona nods slowly but doesn’t press for further details, which I appreciate more than anything.

There’s nothing I hate more than being pitied. But something tells me that Fiona has experience with complicated.

“You know, for someone who pretends to be made of stone, you get pretty sentimental when it comes to Scout.”

A small smile pulls at my mouth. “He’s the uncomplicated one.”

“He adores you. That doesn’t look complicated at all.”

“Maybe… Though, sometimes it feels like I’ve missed out on too much, trying to keep him safe.”

Fiona finally looks at me then, and her eyes are filled with nothing but concern.

“Safe from what?”

“It’s not important.” I down the rest of my drink.

“It sounds important.”

“It’s not.” I make my tone sharp.

Fiona goes quiet as I stand and cross over to the sideboard, needing to put some distance between us. It seems my lack of control around her isn’t confined to the bedroom, but to my past too.

I keep my back to her as I pour another drink. “Tell me about your past.”

“My past?”

“Yes. You asked about mine, so it’s only fair I get to ask about yours.”