Page 61 of Reckless Desires

“We are flying out today,” I assure him. “Alessio called me last night.”

“How’s the insurance policy?” Donal refers to Liliana.

“It’s my fucking death sentence,” I mutter under my breath, not because I have a target on my back, but because she makes my cock twitch.

“Well, it will all be over soon.”

“I’ll let you know where to come get us.” I hang up and turn the shower on.

As soon as I step in and submerge myself under the water, the bathroom door opens. I’ve been living alone for so long that I don’t remember to lock the door.

“I heard you broke the number one rule of being a leader.” Mickey walks in.

“Don’t lecture me.” I lather the washcloth in my hand with body wash. “One-time thing.” I begin washing my body.

“Oh, it was definitely more than once.” He leans against the countertop.

“You were listening the entire time?” I shoot him a look.

“Not willingly,” Mickey huffs. “I made Izzy and JoJo walk back and bring the horse into the stable. They came rushing in, saying there was blood on the horse you rode, so I went up to check on you. Sounds inside the bedroom told me all was well, so I left it alone.” His eyes dart to the bloody towel on the floor. “I’m not going to ask.”

“Good.” I smirk. “Get breakfast started. I’m starved.”

“I bet you are.” He laughs and leaves me to my shower.

When I’m done, I throw on a T-shirt and jeans, the last items of clothing I have left. I place a clean towel and washcloth for Liliana to use when she wakes up then quickly clean the bathroom.

Jodi and the twins are up making breakfast.

“Mickey says you leave today,” Trevor says, helping to set the table.

“I am,” I reply, reaching for a coffee mug. “Don’t get emotional on me now.” I drop in two cubes of sugar and pour myself a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

“You think you’ll come back?” Leon asks.

“Depends on how things play out.” I take a sip. “Whether Nico is dead or alive, things will be complicated for a while.”

The twins look at Jodi, and she tries to ignore it.

“What is it?” I ask.

“We don’t want you to leave, that’s all.” Jodi wipes her cheek. “Now remind me how you like your eggs?”

“Jodi, you’re making a lot.” I look at the grilled tomatoes with mushrooms and smell salmon in the oven. “And I don’t think eggs are part of a proper Irish breakfast.”

There is an odd tension I can’t put my finger on. When I turn my head, I see Izzy wrapped in a blanket with red eyes as she speaks with Mickey.

“What’s wrong with Izzy?” I question.

“Probably still getting scolded by Mickey about sneaking out the other night,” Jodi replies.

But by their body language, that is far from the truth. I head toward the back door and feel the tension rise. There’s something they are hiding from me.

I see Izzy stiffen when she spots me approaching them.

“Killian, I’m so sorry about last night. I swear, I didn’t mean bad by it. I didn’t know Liliana wasn’t supposed to leave your sight.” Izzy’s nervous, but I’m not sure if this is an act.

“She’s alive, so nothing to lose sleep over.” I pull out a cigarette and light it up.