CHAPTER 5

Tilly

The next few weeks flew by as we healed and settled into our new lives. While I’d been nervous at first about being around Maya, it turned out she felt the same way about being around me, as well as a huge amount of guilt for being the other woman even if she didn’t know she had been.

To our surprise, we got on like a house on fire, and once we cleared the air, which had ended with both of us in tears, it made us closer, as only two people who’d lived through the same hell could be. It was so good to have a female friend that I didn’t have to explain my life to and all the scars it had left on me because she’d lived it, so she knew.

As for the O’Shea men, when they decided to do something, they didn’t waste any time getting it done. By the end of the following week, my house had been packed up, and everything except my bedroom suite and our clothing had been put in storage under the name of one of the Crow MC’s new prospects. My bedroom was set up by the end of the second week, and Adam had moved back in. That was both a blessing and a curse for me. My long-forgotten libido seemed to have woken up as soon as he moved back in. The first time I saw him shirtless, muscles rippling as he made breakfast one morning, I had to turn right back around and leave the room before he saw the lust on my face. Other than me having to restrain myself from acting on my lustful thoughts, our moving in together went smoothly.

When asked, I’d decided that for now I’d rent out my house, and Kate, who turned out to be Reaper, the Crow MC President’s mum, had organised it all with the same estate agent her company was affiliated with. She’d given them strict instructions not to let anyone know where I was and had explained that I had a violent ex-husband. I’d also requested that only a man should show my house as I wasn’t sure if Troy was watching, and I didn’t want another woman to be hurt because of me. The locks had been changed on the house, so Troy no longer had any access, and Adam had paid for an alarm system to be fitted.

As it turned out, that was a good thing because Troy had turned up and kicked up a stink when the ‘For Rent’ sign had gone up and had kicked off at the estate agent who’d been there taking pictures. In the end, the estate agent had called the police and reported it. Unfortunately, Troy had left as soon as he’d heard him on the phone to the police.

I’d collated everything, including the photos that Rea had taken of me and Ally when we arrived, as well as the notification of his death that I’d been given, and taken it all to a contact of the Crow MC and the O’Sheas at the local police station to ensure that they had a record of it.

I’d also spoken to my military contact and asked that their department escalate it for me. They’d wanted me to give them my new address, but I’d refused as I didn’t know what connections Troy had. Reaper had told me to give them his and he’d be the go-between. I’d been thankful that he’d been willing to do that for us, considering he didn’t know me and the girls.

Now, not only were the military looking for him but also the police. I was just thankful that there were so many people willing to look out for me and my girls.

I’d been worried about school because the girls would need to be registered to get in. I shouldn’t have been, though. Maya took me to meet up with Julia, Abby, and Abby’s daughters, Bren and Ellie. My girls were between them in age. I’m not sure what guardian angel was looking out for me the day I’d found myself in Fitheach, but I was thankful every day that we’d found a safe haven.

Julia arranged for us to tour the school once Ally’s bruises had healed a bit more. While Maya had driven us, we’d had an escort in the form of some of Adam’s security guys. Adam and Johnny, it seemed, weren’t taking any chances with our safety. I wouldn’t be arguing with them about it; I’d take all the security they threw at me, and Maya felt the same way when I mentioned it.

Julia and Bren had met us at the school to take us on a tour; we’d loved it from the start. It wasn’t as big as the school the girls had been attending, and by the time we’d been around, I knew that the girls would be happy here.

Ally and Jeanie were to be registered under an assumed name. When Julia had brought it up with the headteacher, he’d questioned why. With my permission, she’d shown him the pictures of Ally after we’d arrived and had explained that the police were aware of what was going on with their father. He’d been more than happy to accommodate us once we’d cleared up the reason why.

That had brought us to Julia bringing us to his office and leaving us there with a cheery wave.

He’d welcomed us and had us sit on the comfortable couches in the corner of his office rather than at the desk.

“So,” he said, leaning forward, studying each of us, “I’ve spoken to your old school and explained what is going on and why you won’t be back. They’ve sent me all your paperwork. I’m happy to have you join our school. You’ll be safe here, and if for some reason your mum can’t pick you up, I understand that Julia is allowed to take you home. And I can assure you that other than the O’Shea property, there is no other place safer than Crow Manor. Are you all happy with that arrangement?”

We agreed that we were.

“Good,” he nodded, picking up a pen. “Do you know what name you’d like me to put on your paperwork?”

Ally made me smile when she put up her hand as if she was in class. “Go ahead, Ally,” he encouraged.

“O’Shea, we’d like to be Ally and Jeanie O’Shea. He won’t think to look for us under that name, and it’s the same name as our brother and sister. We checked with Adam, and he said it was fine to use his surname.”

My heart did a little skip at her words, wondering when they’d spoken to him about it.

Not that it surprised me, though. In the weeks we’d been living in his house, the girls had gotten close to him, gravitating towards him as soon as he was home from work. I hadn’t realised how starved they’d been for a good male role model. And if it was one thing he was, it was good. A little grumpy but good down to his soul.

It was never a hardship for him to make time for them, from arranging self-defence classes that he took Jeanie to three times a week. Ally would only start when she’d healed; she still went with, though. Adam stayed the whole time, ensuring that they were comfortable. Sometimes he’d get a workout in, but mostly he kept an eye on Jeanie’s training and kept Ally company.

Most evenings, they would play board games while I caught up on my reading or had a long bath. I loved that he took the time to check in with us, asking how our days had gone. Was there anything we needed. It was so different living with Adam to how it had been when I’d lived with Troy.

Every evening, we had dinner at the main house. I’d taken to going over early and giving Maya a hand, although she said Fridays we didn’t cook, we got our dinner from the Crow Café instead. I loved that the O’Sheas were all about family. Tuning back into the conversation just as the head agreed, “Okay, Ally and Jeanie O’Shea you are. I’ll update the records and you both can start next week.”

“Thank you,” I said, standing. “I really appreciate you going above and beyond to help us out.”

“It’s no problem,” he assured me as he ushered us out. “Your girls will be safe with us. If for any reason they feel unsafe while they are at school, they can come straight to my office. I’ll let the receptionist know to let them through, no questions asked.”

“Thank you,” I said again, with the girls echoing my thanks as we walked back to reception where we’d left Maya, Jackson, and Emy to wait for us.

Maya struggled to get up from the low couch, and I hurried towards her to help her up.

“Thanks,” she muttered with relief. “I’d forgotten how hard it was to get up the bigger you get.”

Laughing softly at her muttering, I said to Jeanie, “Help Jackson pick up the toys for me, please, love.”

While they were doing that, I held my hands out to Emy, “Can I pick you up, Emy?”

There was no hesitation from her just a big drooling grin as she held up her arms, “Yes. Up.”

Laughing, I swung her up into my arms, blowing a raspberry on her neck, making her break into infectious giggles. I’d never met such a happy little soul. I’d yet to see her cry, but then again, she was spoilt rotten.

Ally leant against my arm, smiling at her little sister, who surprised all of us by shouting, “Ally, love,” and holding out her arms.

Ally hesitated, looking at me for permission; instead, it was Maya who gave it, “You can take her, Ally, but don’t hurt your ribs, okay? Make the spoilt little madam walk if it gets too much for you.”

“Okay,” Ally agreed taking Emy from me and settling her on her hip. Emy bounced a little making Ally wince at the movement.

“Be gentle, Emy,” Jackson admonished her, surprising me. While Emy was exuberant and playful, Jackson was watchful and quiet.

“K,” Emy nodded, turning and pressing a kiss to Ally’s cheek, “Sorry.”

My heart melted; it was such a sweet moment between sisters. I wish I had a phone to take a picture. Maya must have thought the same thing because out of the corner of my eye, I saw her sneaking a quick photo of the two.

It didn’t take us long to get back to the car and back on the road to the O’Sheas. I was grateful to see our escort pull out behind us; they followed us all the way to the house before turning around and going back to the office.

“Wow,” I sighed tiredly as Maya parked. “What a day.”

“I’m going to miss your company when you start work next week,” Maya tells me as she switches off the car. “I may come and bug you in the office. I don’t know what I’m going to do now that I’m not working. Bloody overprotective male,” she muttered.

Laughing at her grumpiness, I get out and open the back doors to let all the children out. Last week, Johnny had told her that she wasn’t going to be cleaning anymore. She’d been so mad at him and had only agreed when Colm had added his agreement that she didn’t need to be working.

Now she was bored, and I had a feeling before long she’d be finding something else to do. In that way, we were similar — neither of us liked to sit on our arses doing nothing.

“You can come bug me anytime,” I assured her as we walked into the kitchen of the main house. “I’m sure between the two of us we’ll find you something to do while all the kids are at school. And then in a few months, you’ll have your little one to keep you busy.”

“True,” she agreed, putting the kettle on. “Cup of tea?”

“Yep,” I answered, going to the fridge and taking out the makings for sandwiches, knowing the children would be hungry soon with lunchtime approaching.

It was peaceful with just the two of us at home and the children chatting in the background from the lounge. Maya and I worked in comfortable silence, with Maya making the tea and then laying the table while it was drawing.

“Tilly,” Maya said softly. Turning to look at her, where she was standing waiting for the kettle, a serious look on her face.

“Yes,” I replied with a smile.

“I know you and I’ve had this conversation already, but I wanted to say thank you again. I realised today exactly how much you gave up by coming to warn me when you didn’t have to. I wanted to say I’m grateful because I am, so very grateful, for what you’ve done for me and mine. You had it so much worse with Troy than I could ever imagine. I envy your strength and hope that one day I’ll be as strong as you.

“There’s nothing I can ever do to repay you, but know that I’ll always be here for you no matter what. We’re family now. Plus, if Adam has anything to say about it, you’ll be my sister-in-law soon.”

Both Maya and Johnny had thanked me several times, and they didn’t need to. That she admired me was also a surprise. I’d had similar thoughts about her strength.

I guess both of us had some work to do on our self-esteem. However, it was her comment about Adam that had me wondering. Over the last few weeks that we’d been living together, there had been a few looks and moments, but I’d wondered if I was making them up in my head because I found the man stupidly protective and sexy, and I’d climb him like a tree if he’d made any inclination that he felt the same way. But he was always so careful when he touched me.

“Oh, Maya. I don’t know what to say. You don’t need to thank me for coming to warn you. I’d never want anything to happen to Jackson, especially not after the way Troy treated Ally. I’m glad to be here. Although I’m not sure what you mean about Adam.”

Maya grinned at me, the seriousness of our conversation broken by my comment.

“Just watch; you’re the first person he looks for when he walks in the door before he looks for the girls. He checks in with either me or Colm several times a day to make sure you’re all okay.”

Now that I didn’t know, and I said so, “I didn’t know any of that.”

Maya laughed before asking a little worriedly, “Are we still okay?”

Abandoning my sandwich making to go and hug her and reassure her. “We’re all good, Maya. You and I will always be good. Why? Because we’re strong, we’ve been through the worst and came out even stronger.” Letting her go, I pushed her towards the tea, “Get the tea sorted, they’ll be here soon.”

Turning back to my task with a smile, feeling better now that someone else had pointed out that I may have been a little blind about Adam and his intentions.

I’d nearly finished making the sandwiches when the back door opened, and Colm walked in, followed by Adam and Johnny. It was unusual for the two of them to be home for lunch. I’d already wrapped up Liam’s sandwiches, knowing that he wouldn’t be up until later as he worked nights.

“Everything okay?” I enquired as Adam walked over to where I was, pressing a kiss to my temple. Johnny had made a beeline straight for Maya and was kissing the hell out of her. Whereas before I’d have felt a small twinge of envy at the two of them, I realised that I’d been blind because while Adam wasn’t as effusive in his greetings as Johnny, he still sought me out first every time he walked into a room. I’d just been blind to it.

“Everything’s fine,” Adam assured me. “I wanted to check how things went at the school this morning, and Johnny hitched a ride with me when he heard I was coming home. You’d think they’d been away from each other for months the way he whined about coming back home with me,” he rolled his eyes at the last bit. I sniggered at his obvious exasperation at his brother’s devotion to Maya.

“I think it’s sweet,” I replied. “I’m glad she’s found someone to love her like that.”

“You think his obsession is sweet?” Adam’s gaze met mine, and there was no mistaking the heat I saw in his eyes.

Swallowing the sudden lump in my throat, I nodded, replying huskily, “Yes, I do.”

“That’s good, a stór, because I’d be worse than Johnny,” Adam growled softly as he leant towards me.

“Is lunch ready?” Jeanie demanded as she came into the kitchen, interrupting our heated exchange.

Taking a deep breath as our eyes lost contact, I answered Jeanie, “Nearly ready, love.”

Adam snickered slightly, dropping his head to my shoulder. I was glad that he didn’t seem to be mad at being interrupted. Wrapping my arm around him, I gave him a grateful squeeze. It was the first time I’d initiated contact between the two of us.

“Your home for lunch,” Jeanie jabbered happily, throwing her arms around Adam in a hug, making him step back from me. He returned her hug with a smile.

“I am, mo dhuine beag . I wanted to find out what you thought about your new school.”

That’s all it took for Jeanie to offload how her morning had been on him. I finished making the sandwiches and went to pick up the platter, only to find it whisked away from me as Adam put it on the table, still listening to Jeanie go on about her day. When she finally took a breath, he asked her, “And where’s my cailín deas ?”

“She’s in the lounge colouring with Jackson. Do you want me to get her?” Jeanie asked.

“Have them all come, love. Lunch is ready,” I told her.

“Okay,” Jeanie agreed, rushing back to the lounge. Shaking my head at her energy, wishing I had even a quarter of it.

“Sit, a stór ,” Adam urged, pulling out my chair as she ran back towards the lounge.

“Thank you,” I acknowledged as I sat down.

“You’re welcome, a ghrá ,” Adam whispered, kissing the top of my head. I froze and then flushed at the gesture but was saved from having to say anything as little footsteps thundered down the passageway towards us, Jeanie leading the pack.

“Wash hands first,” I ordered her before she reached her chair. “Okay,” she beamed happily at me.

Jackson followed her, and I smiled as I watched her help him. Ally walked in, a wide smile beaming across her face when she caught sight of Adam.

“You’re home.”

“I am,” he replied with a smile, holding out his arms for her to walk into. Giving her a gentle hug, he pressed a kiss to her temple while he swayed them from side to side before releasing her with a gentle push towards the sink.

“Wash your hands, cailín deas, then come and tell me about your day. Jeanie has told me all about hers, but I’m not sure if she’s exaggerating about how much fun she had looking at a school.”

He laughed as Jeanie squealed a “Hey” at his teasing. Pulling out her chair, he waited until she was seated before doing the same for Ally. It was something he’d taken to doing at every meal, and it made my heart sing every time that he treated the girls this way, showing them that they mattered.

As usual, with the amount of people around the table, Colm joined us just as we started to put food on plates. Adding Johnny and Jeanie into the mix meant it was loud. It was also filled with laughter and that was a balm to my soul. I didn’t realise I was smiling until Adam leaned over and whispered in my ear, “It’s good to see you happy, stór mo chroí .”

“I am happy,” I assured him.

And I was very happy, even with the shitstorm that was circling our heads, I found myself not nearly as worried as I probably should be. I also needed to find out what the sneaky man was calling me in Irish.