Page 43 of Connor's Claim
“Does Dad know?” Genevieve asked suddenly. Her eyes slanted my way. “Sorry for cutting in, Everly. I’m reeling a little.”
Riordan twisted his lips. “We’ve never talked about it, but I’m sure he does. Ever wondered why he calls me ‘your brother’ when talking to you about me? He never once called me ‘son’, and the minute Mum told me, the different ways he treats us made sense.”
Gripping Arran’s hand, Genevieve stared at Riordan. She was so pretty and golden, and he was darker and different in ways that were multiplying the more I stared. Then her attention switched to me, maybe seeking similarities.
Finally, she went back to him. “I wish you’d told me.”
“Mum made me swear never to talk about it. It fucked with my head, and there was no good time after that. Besides the point, we needed Dad for a place to stay. If I was wrong and rocked that boat, you’d be homeless. I would’ve found a way to survive but I couldn’t bear that for you. I think the only reason Mum even told me was because she was scared for her life and had done the thinking about us moving back to Deadwater, and the danger of Everly and I meeting without knowing.” He came back to me. “Though I think you’re a year older than me.”
I jumped at being in the spotlight once more. “I’m a big sister?”
Emotion rushed. Connor pushed forward from where he was leaning, his action stealing my attention back to him, and I wasgrateful because I didn’t want to feel anything right now. Not with others watching on. It was too exposing, and I needed to get a hold of myself.
“Assuming it’s true,” he said to Riordan.
Riordan’s gaze hardened. “I’ve no reason to think she was lying.”
“Not disparaging your ma. I’m doubting ye. First, trying to kidnap Everly?—”
“I went to warn her, asshole.”
“—and then concocting some bullshit story to get close to her.”
Riordan flung out an arm. “Explain to me how we look so much alike, then.”
Connor shrugged. “Explain why you’re working for the Four Milers.”
“Fuck. Fine. I owed them a favour, and they called it in. My job was to grab her. Obviously there was no way I was going through with it, but I also knew they didn’t trust me so wouldn’t send me alone. I had to come with a warning.”
Genevieve swore. “How the heck did you end up owing a favour to a gang?”
He scrubbed his face with his hands. “Remember how you said you were going to cash in your savings to pay the missing rent, and I had to tell you the savings had gone, too? I knew it was on me to come up with a solution to save our flat.”
“So you went to a drugs gang for the money?” she squeaked.
“What other options were there? No bank was going to lend me shit, and I’d already asked my boss for a loan and got turned down. I was desperate.”
The two siblings stared at each other, both distraught, both wearing the same expression of regret.
I was outside the window of their lives, peeking in. I wished I could do more for them.
“What happened to your rent money and savings?” I asked.
Riordan raised his head. “Stolen.”
“By our…my dad,” Genevieve added. She glowered at her brother. “I told you not to do anything stupid.”
“And I will always do everything I can to protect you. By the time I knew your boyfriend bought the fucking place, I’d already made the deal. No money passed hands, but they held me to my side of the bargain.”
“They would,” Connor stated, elaborating when Riordan lifted a dark eyebrow. “You put yourself in their hands, so what happens now ye can’t give them what they want?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll cop a beating. I can handle that.”
Connor swapped a look with Arran, both grim.
I didn’t like their expressions.
“Did they say why they wanted me?” I asked Riordan.