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“He didn’t hurt me,” I say in a rush, realizing my mistake when they both give me a look. “I mean… His men tried to, not him.”

Dane lowers the cookie. “He arranged it, Sera. You know that.”

I look back at the accounts. “I know. I was there.”

“And you said you’d sort it.” He jabs his cookie at me accusingly. “Seems more like you’ve forgotten.”

“The men who hurt me are dead,” I remind him. “Fionn knows I’m not someone he can mess with.”

Dane scratches his jaw as he considers me, his eyes narrowing. “Does he know I’ll fucking kill him if he pulls a stunt like that again?”

“I’d remind him, but I’m actively avoiding the asshole.” I shove one of the account books open. “I’m trying to do the books, lads. Unless either of you wants to take over?”

Rafe exhales smoke while Dane devours another cookie.

With the amount of food Dane puts away, he should be the size of a pregnant mare. Instead, both my brothers are lean, hard-built, and tragically aware of it.

“C’mon, lads. Please. Fuck off and let me get this done.”

“Fine.” Dane stands. “Keep your eyes and ears open when he’s around.”

“I know.”

“I mean it, Sera. When he marries Eilish, the Harringtons will have more power in Cork, and more ways to press on the docks.”

My fingers still on the keyboard.

Dane’s voice drops. “Don’t forget what he is just because he knows how to stand close without looking like a threat.”

They both head back outside, and the door shuts behind them.

I take a deep breath and stare at the laptop screen until it blurs.

After a few minutes, my phone rings on the table. Glancing at it, Eilish’s face brightens the screen.

“If this is about wedding ribbons,” I answer. “I’m faking my death.”

“Who the hell wants ribbons?” she says.

“That sounds like a defensive ribbon-lover talking.”

I reach for my neck and play with the pendants on my necklace, an unintentional habit I’ve formed lately.

“Mother is hosting a black-tie charity event in Cork in a couple of days. She wants me there, obviously, and I need you with me. The Tallons never miss an opportunity to be seen, right?”

I drag the letter F back and forth along the chain. “I take it the Harringtons will be there.”

Eilish makes an audible sigh. “Yes.”

My stomach drops and all I can think about is Fionn standing beside Eilish.

“Maybe it’ll be good for you,” Eilish adds.

“What makes ya think that?”

“I mean… Maybe this is your chance to tell him how you feel. And maybe he’ll call off the wedding.”

My fingers go cold around the phone and my breath stalls.