Page 34 of Malevolent Hearts
“I still don’t know why you don’t,” Lucas interjects. “Sure she’s a melt, but she’s more than willing.” He tosses a look my way, wiggling his brows.
“I’d rather chew on nettles. Besides, she’s had more loads in her than my mother’s washing machine. Forgive me if she’s lost her appeal.”
As we round the last bend, I’m instantly reminded of why I’ve been so eager to get back to the estate. Alone.
A little further up the path, crouched on the ledge of the wall that edges the estate’s entrance, slingshot in hand, is the girl who has monopolised every part of my brain this summer. As much as I tell myself I shouldn’t fall for her, deep down I know there is no way I can stop the inevitable. My heart’s trajectory is set, and it’s pointed straight at Beibhinn Devereux.
Before I can register my actions, the tires of my bike lock, crushing against the hardcore laneway as I squeeze the brakes and halt in place, desperate to catch a glimpse of her before she notices she has company. Thankfully, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, follow my lead and come to a stop on either side of me.
“What the fuck is she doing up there? That’s a ten-foot wall.” Lucas follows my gaze, noticing the little pixie trapped in concentration, eyes narrowed on her target.
“Shut up!” I hush, my attention fixated on the determined look on Beibhinn’s face, drawing me into her orbit like a moth to a flame. Holding her focus on her target, she stretches back the bands and releases fire. The horse chestnut cuts through the air with rapid precision before connecting with her desired target. The tin of the Coke can crumples, echoing through the silence, and even though we are more than a few metres away, I see the grin split across her face as her chest puffs with satisfaction.
Like three gobshites, we hold our places as she reloads her sling and moves on to the next target. Once again, her aim never wavers, followed by the executing clank of the chestnut meeting its mark. She knocks each one off the opposite wall with the ease of a professional sniper while we watch on like soundless idiots until all twelve cans are lying on the ground.
Spotting our trio, she jumps off the wall and lands on her feet like a cat. Glacier eyes home in on me, and before I know it, I’m locked in her stare. She’s mesmerising, with her white-blonde hair standing out against the fading daylight, a complete contrast to her all-black attire of Doc Marten boots, ripped jeans, and a cropped, sleeveless Thin Lizzy band tee that shows off the diamond decorating her navel.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the three musketeers out for a romantic bike ride.” Her voice carries a hint of playful banter and her lips curl into a teasing smile. She takes each step with ease, stowing her slingshot in the back pocket of her jeans as she stalks towards us, eyes shining with mischief. Swiping her backpack off the ground, she hooks it over her shoulder.
Brodie’s elbow greets my ribcage, knocking me out of my trance as he mutters under his breath, “Unless you want Lucas to catch on, close your mouth. You’ve drool on your chin.”
Keeping my gaze trained on Beibhinn, I grit out my response under my breath. “Fuck off.”
“That’s some shot you have, Queen B,” Brodie announces, stealing Beibhinn’s attention. “You’re almost as good as Ace.” He hitches his thumb towards me, connecting me to the stupid nickname he gave me when I took all his father’s money the night he taught us how to play poker.
Her gaze whips back to me, her brow raised. Her eyes burn with excitement. “Is that so?”
Unbeknownst to him, Brodie provoked Beibhinn’s competitive side, and if I’ve learned anything about the girl I’ve spent the summer falling for, there’s nothing she loves more than sticking it to the man by proving she can outdo any one of us, me included.
“Wanna test that theory, Ace?” Her mouth tilts into a smirk as the name Brodie called me slithers off her tongue with challenge curled around it.
“Maybe some other time, princess,” Lucas chimes in. “We have plans, and they don’t involve you.”
My bones rattle with annoyance, but it’s Brodie who responds for me. “Fuck off, Luc. If she wants to hang out with us, she can.”
“Whatever. A sniff of a pussy and you two go stupid.” He kicks up his bike stand and takes off toward the lighthouse, halting before reaching the top of the hill a few feet from us.
Brodie’s eyes follow Lucas before he draws them back to me. Uncertainty lingers in his irises. “Go after him. I’ll follow you in a few minutes.”
With a tip of his chin, he lifts his foot to the pedal, but before he cycles off after Lucas, he offers Beibhinn a small smile. “Don’t mind him, Queen B. He’s just pissed Cadden would rather hang out with you than stroke his ego.”
“What about you?” she asks. “Are you pissed at me for stealing your friend for the summer?”
His eyes scan her from head to toe. My fingers tighten around the handles of my bike, knuckles turning white as I clench my teeth, biting back the taste of jealousy lingering on my tongue.
“Nah, B. Unlike Lucas, I see the appeal.” With that statement, he pushes off the ground and cycles off. When he tosses a glance over his shoulder, I spy the shit-eating grin stretched across his face. Fucker knows well he struck a chord.
As Lucas and Brodie head off towards the lighthouse, I hop off my bike and close the distance between Beibhinn and me.
“I’m surprised you didn’t shoot Lucas in the arse with that slingshot of yours.” I shove my hands into my pockets and roll my shoulders forward.
“Only in my head.” Her playful demeanour softens, revealing a vulnerability that tightens my chest. She rolls her eyes, unwilling to leave her emotions on display. Then she turns away and walks towards the grass verge while I keep my greedy gaze on her.
Coming to a halt, she tugs the shoulder straps of her backpack, removing her bag before she lowers herself down and criss-crosses her legs. She pats the space next to her, and I follow her lead, moving to take a seat. Tilting my head towards hers, I ask, “Did you get up to anything much today? Other than practising your aim on poor, unsuspecting Coke cans.”
Once again, she tosses her eyes back with a slight shake of her head. “Actually, while you were off doing whatever it is you do when you disappear every Saturday, I had your mam drop me in town to pick up something for you.”
I still haven’t told Beibhinn about my role in my father’s empire, and although she knows quite a bit about the syndicate and the life that comes with it, I haven’t figured out the best way to let her know that the guy she’s spent the last few months getting to know makes explosive devices in his spare time. So instead, I steer the conversation away from my whereabouts and focus on what she picked up while she was in town. “Really? For me?”