Kynedi

It had been several days since I discovered the secrets Tiernan and his family had. We’d settled into a good routine. During the morning, I’d go to the main house, and whoever was available and willing would help me teach Khloe and Cass. Karizma wasn’t doing it at the moment due to Brannon. She had to get him into a routine and a little older, but there was never a lack of hands to help. I found they had more than enough quality instruction materials available, and the process of homeschooling wasn’t as hard as I anticipated. I’d withdrawn him from his school despite the pleading of his principal. In the afternoon, I’d work on my transcription jobs.

I shouldn’t have been delighted by the latest news, but I was. It seemed that Principal Jackson was looking for a new job. Mr. Elliotson and the rest of the school board held an emergency meeting after they got back several of the polls they sent out to parents. It seemed that more than a few parents had their children treated the same way as Cassius, and some had chosen to change districts because of it. The Board was doing damage control, and as long as it led to the students receiving what they needed and deserved, it was fine with me.

As for Counselor Timms, she was still there but on a performance improvement plan. One mess up, and she’d be gone. Mr. Elliotson had shared all the details with Tiernan. To say the man was livid was an understatement. He took his role on the school board seriously. However, despite the changes being made, it was best for Cass to be schooled at home. When he and Khloe got older, we’d see about tutors.

With only the two of them, we could do a lot more creative things, and it didn’t take six hours a day to get them through their schoolwork. They loved it because this meant more time to play and do things that interested them. If they weren’t riding horses, swimming, or doing other fun stuff, Khloe was taking dance classes in town, and Cass still went to Maggie’s twice a week with Tiernan. I even had time to do something I never thought I would. I got on a horse. Tiernan and Cassius were so proud of me. I might not become a rider like them, but I was willing to do it occasionally. If all those kids could do it, so could I.

Today, after the lessons were over, Cyndi, Maeve, and Brenda were watching the kids, even the babies, so the rest of us, along with Alexis, who had a day off from her college classes, could go shopping, have lunch, and go to the spa.

I’d never had a spa day before. Extra cash was spent on things we needed or for Cass. When I mentioned going last night to Tiernan, he’d told me to have fun and pressed a credit card into my hand. I tried to give it back, but he wouldn’t take it. He insisted it was mine. That had resulted in a slight argument.

“I’m not taking your money. I have some. I still make money, and since I’m not paying rent anymore, I have more than usual. You don’t have to give me your credit card,” I protested as I held it out to him. He didn’t take it, the damn man.

“Tiernan, take it!”

He shook his head. “Nope. It’s not mine. It’s yours, and it’s not a credit card. It’s a bank card.”

I glanced down to take a closer look at it. I saw that my name was on it, and I gasped.

“Have you lost your mind!? Why give me a card to your bank account?”

“No, I haven’t lost my mind. You’re my soon-to-be wife. Why wouldn’t I give you a card? Besides, this account is yours. I’ve moved over funds for you to this one. It’s for you to spend however you want on you, Cass, or others. If you want to make a large purchase, such as a car, jewelry, or a whole new designer wardrobe, then let me know, and we can shift more funds.”

“Tiernan, I’m not with you for your money!”

“I know that, but I have more than enough of it, and I want you to feel free to spend it without feeling like you have to ask me for every dime. I know you have money from your work. I just want you to have this in case you need more. I don’t want you skimping because you don’t have enough or feel like you have to save it. Have fun. I know the females in my family. They’ll go all over town. If you see something you like, then buy it.”

We’d gone around and around for a good half hour before I gave up in defeat. Or I should say I gave up when he kissed me silly, and we ended up making love. This morning, he’d reminded me to have fun before he headed out to work. He’d be back later to get Cassius and take him to the stables. It was Friday and Maggie’s Moppets day.

Ashlynn, Riza, Randi, Alexis, Aisling, and I were accompanied by bodyguards. That was a given. Luckily, we didn’t have to take one for each of us. Seamus, Creed, Gerrit—Riza’s usual guard—and Claudia came along for the fun. Yes, I now had a guard who went with me and Cassius when we left the commune. I liked Claudia, and it was cool to have the only female guard they had. I was hoping they’d hire more. Women were just as capable as men as long as they had the same training.

In Claudia’s case, some of her training came from her time in the military. I was shocked but impressed when she informed me she’d been in the Army and her job was working in demolition and explosives. I asked if that meant she worked with bombs, and she grinned and nodded. Plus, having Creed as an older brother had its benefits. Namely, he worked with her to get ready twice as much as anyone else.

When we split up to ride in the two SUVs they had waiting for us, Claudia and Gerrit were in mine. Randi and Aisling were with us. Claudia was the driver. I knew she was relieved Creed wasn’t with us. She loved him, but he was overprotective of her, and it drove her crazy. She’d shared that with me one day after he walked off. I didn’t blame her for feeling suffocated.

It wasn’t a long drive into town. I had no clue where they planned to start this shopping adventure. I was merely along for the fun. There were numerous shops along St. George Street, and that’s where we were starting. After finding parking, we got out and began at one end. As usual, we garnered a lot of attention. We were all dressed casually, even the guards, but people still stared.

Aising was definitely recognized, and right behind her came Ashlyn, who, as Darragh’s wife, got a lot of press. The others were less so, and then there was me. We had our sunglasses on. I hoped they’d find me boring and leave me alone—no such luck.

When we went into stores, the managers or owners kept them out. They’d still stand outside and try to peer through the windows to see what we were doing and snap photos. It dimmed my pleasure in the day. Aisling wrapped an arm through mine.

“Ignore them. I know it’s hard, but it gets easier. When they shout questions, if you want, give them a tiny smile and keep walking. Over time, Tiernan will show you which of them you may say something to, and how to phrase things. They’re a pain in the ass, but we have to live with them. It just feeds the secret fantasies we have about drowning them all in a sack in the ocean.”

She said it with so much glee that I had no choice but to laugh. After that, I relaxed. I wasn’t loving them, but I was getting better at ignoring them. We’d been in three shops and were leaving the third one to go to another when I was shouted at by a new paparazzi joining the pack. He started by yelling his question to Aisling first.

“Hey, Aisling, mind telling us who the new woman with you is? We’ve seen her out and about with your brother, Tiernan. Is she his latest plaything? We’ve seen she’s been at your estate for weeks. And what is this we hear about a boy?”

His following questions, he shouted at me. “Does Tiernan have a bastard we don’t know about? Where have you been all this time? The kid has to be six or seven.”

His audacity stunned me and then angered me. I was about to yell back at him to shut his mouth, but Alexis moved over to take my arm. She whispered in my ear, “Watch and learn.”

Aisling flung back her head, flipping her long ponytail effortlessly. She was like a supermodel posing. She let a carefree laugh leave her mouth. “Come on, Noel, what kind of questions are those? You know better. If you’re rude, we don’t answer. Any questions about my brother need to be addressed to him. Let’s go, ladies. We have a ton more shopping to do.”

It made me glad I had my hand in my pocket, and they couldn’t see my ring. It wasn’t done on purpose, but now I was happy I had that habit. All of us followed her to the next shop, which was three fronts down. Other people out enjoying the day were sucked into the staring happening. At least eight reporters were trailing after us. They snapped a ton of pictures. When would they get enough? We were ushered inside swiftly by Claudia after Creed went in and announced it was clear. The nuisances were stopped at the door and kept outside.

This one was filled with gorgeous summer clothes. They were all lovely, and I got lost in admiring them. Alexis pulled out a dress. It was knee-length. She held it up in front of me and studied it before nodding.

“Yep, this is perfect for you. You need to try this one on, doesn’t she?”

The others all agreed, and they asked my size. I tried to hold back, but I was ganged up on as Ashlynn looked at the tag in the back of my top. When she went for my long-flowing skirt, I gave in and told them my sizes. From there, they seemed to peruse more for me than themselves. Pieces of clothing came flying at me, and a pile grew until I told them no more. Once that happened, I was hustled into the dressing room and told to try them on, and they wanted to see them all.

It took a while, and I was hot and sweaty by the time I was done, but I have to say, it was fun, and I loved so many of them. I was going through the pile, trying to determine which ones to get, when Aisling scooped them all up and marched to the counter.

“Aisling, come back here. What are you doing?” I hissed as I scurried after her.

“I’m having the lady ring these up. And before you say no, my brother told me if you express interest in anything, I’m to make sure you buy it. Now, hand over the card I know he gave you, or I’ll use mine,” she threatened. The look on her face said she was serious.

I grumbled, but I got my bank card out of my purse. It would decimate the small nest egg I had, but I’d live. Unfortunately, she glanced at it and shook her head. “I want the one he gave you. Don’t make me get physical.”

The way she mean-mugged me made me laugh, but I got her the correct one. I almost died when I saw the total. The others got a few things, and as soon as we were all done, they helped me carry my bags. We made a trip back to the cars to stow them, then got in so the vehicles could be moved further up the street toward where we were currently shopping.

The reporters trailed after us, still shouting. They wanted to know how married life was treating Aisling. They asked Riza about Brannon. They wanted to know how married life and kids were treating all of them, and again, who was I?

It was while we were walking to the next shop after loading and moving the cars that it happened. Noel was becoming more insistent. More people joined their group and crowded us. Our guards were surrounding us, trying to form a barrier, but there were gaps. I cried out when my arm was grabbed, and I was yanked out of the protective huddle I was in. I struggled to get loose and tried to see who had me. I wasn’t too shocked to find myself staring up at Noel.

“Come on, give me the juicy details. It could make you famous. The headline can read, ‘I spent time with a real mobster.’ The story will make money. Who are you? How do you know Tiernan O’Sheeran? Does your son belong to him?” he asked in a rush.

Even if I wanted to answer, I didn’t have time before Claudia was all over him. She grabbed his hand and did something to his wrist, which caused him to cry out in pain and let go. Then she had him pressed face-first into the rough brick wall of a building with one of his arms twisted up behind his back.

“You don’t ever touch her or anyone else in this family. You should know better,” she hissed at him.

“Let go of me!” he shouted.

“No, we’re staying here until the police come. You just assaulted her. You wanted the attention of the O’Sheerans. Now you got it, but it’s not going to be in a good way for you,” Claudia told him with satisfaction.

“Claudia, just let him go,” I said.

“I can’t do that. He touched you. I won’t piss off Tiernan or the others by doing that. Even if I did, the others won’t.” She jerked her head behind us. I looked to find the other guards and the ladies gathered there wearing upset and pissed-off looks. The other annoyances had backed off but were still snapping their cameras.

Creed, Gerrit, and Seamus hustled us into the SUVs to wait. Claudia and Creed remained outside with Noel, who protested, threatened, and pleaded the entire time. It wasn’t long before a police car pulled up. The cops who got out went straight over to Creed. They appeared to know each other. As they were chatting, a car came screeching into a nearby parking spot. It was one I recognized. Out jumped Tiernan and Milo.

I gulped. His scowl was scary. He charged over and began berating Noel. I could hear every word he said. Who had called him? I focused on Aisling. She saw me.

“I didn’t, but that’s because they beat me to it. Kynedi, there is no way someone touching you isn’t going to be reported right away to my brother.”

“Fine, but he didn’t need to come here. Claudia and Creed have it under control.”

“Like hell, there’s not. You’re his. He has to ensure your safety. Better get used to it,” Seamus said.

I tuned back into what Tiernan was saying. “You don’t ever touch someone in my family. You know the rules, Noel. You can ask. We choose whether we answer. What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Mr. O’Sheeran, maybe we should take this to the station. Unless you don’t want to press charges,” one of the officers said.

“Let me check on her first, then we’ll see. I want an answer when I get back to you,” he snapped at Noel. I was nervous as he approached the SUV. Claudia opened the door on my side. He crowded in and dragged me into his arms. He ran his hands over me as he whispered to me.

“Did he hurt you, muirnín ?”

“No, he startled me more than anything. Claudia was on him so fast. I’m sorry for causing all this ruckus.” He cut off the rest of my words with a kiss. He took his time, and when he was finished, I was dazed.

“It wasn’t your fault, and he caused this, not you. He fucking knows better. He’s been reporting on my family for years.”

“He’s been the loudest all day. They’re relentless.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Let me take care of this, and then you can get back to your fun.”

“Maybe I should go home.”

This earned me protests from the girls, and he shook his head. “No, we don’t let them control us. If we do that, then they get the upper hand. Show them it doesn’t phase you. I’ll be back.” I watched him go back to the officers and Noel.