One minute he was standing there and the next he was on the ground cupping his bleeding nose.
Jen glared down at him. “You’re lucky my brother wasn’t here,” she snarled, not taking her eyes off him. “You wouldn’t be getting up.”
“But I—”
“I mean how dare you? My sister is in there, in pain and scared, and you want a picture for your website?” She started towards him again but Declan wrapped his arms around her, lifting her feet and inch off the ground.
“Calm down, tiger. I think he got the message.”
The man stood up slowly, pinching his nose to stop the bleeding. “She broke my nose. I need to see a doctor.”
“Your call,” Seamus offered tightly. “But don’t complain too loudly. You’ll have to walk through a waiting room full of Finns, and in a minute, they’ll all know why you got beat down by a girl.”
He muttered nasally as he walked by them and through the ER doors. “I just wanted a picture.”
When he disappeared her hand started throbbing like crazy. “Ow!”
Declan pulled back and cupped it gently. “Can you move your fingers?”
She could, but she didn’t like it. “It hurts.”
Seamus came up beside her, forcing Declan to let her go as he lifted her in his arms with a laugh. “Of course it hurts. You broke his nose, baby girl.”
She smiled down at him. “Why do you sound so happy about it? He could sue me and I don’t have any money.”
“He won’t sue you,” Declan assured her, watching them closely. “In fact, I doubt he’ll ever speak of it again. To anyone.”
“I agree. And that’s the second time you’ve coldcocked someone for talking about our family. You’ve grown into such a brawler.” Seamus was still holding her. “How is Tasha?”
“No word yet. Unless they sent someone in the last few minutes.”
He nodded, letting her feet touch the ground before he spoke again. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Seamus held out his hand and shook Declan’s firmly. “Seamus Finn. I want to thank you for your help with that. I might have lost my temper the way my sister did. But I doubt they’d be walking away as easily.”
Declan’s smile was more reserved. “Declan Kelley. They shouldn’t have been here to begin with. Sensationalizing personal trauma for headlines isn’t journalism.”
Seamus was still nodded, but Jen saw his expression change. “Kelley?”
Did he recognize Declan’s name? “I bet I can go catch those reporters. I still have one good hand.”
Declan frowned. “You’re starting to sound like Trick, God help me. You need to go inside and get some ice on that.”
“Wait, Trick?” Seamus sounded surprised. “Are you friends with Trick Dunham?”
And that made a difference, Jen realized. The set of her brother’s shoulders relaxed and he was smiling again. Good lord, was this Kelley versus Finn nonsense really a thing? How had she not known?
Declan shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t want to take up your time. I’m sure you’re anxious to get inside.”
Seamus glanced down at his sister and nodded. “We are. Like you said, we need to put some ice on Rocky’s hand. You’re a good man for helping out, Declan. Come into the pub sometime and I’ll buy you a round.”
He put his arm around Jen’s shoulder but she resisted, slipping out of his hold. “You go on. I’ll join you in a minute.” Seamus studied her until she raised her eyebrows. “Now?”
He nodded and walked away reluctantly, glancing at them over his shoulder before he disappeared.
“He’s the relaxed brother?” Declan murmured in disbelief.
Jen sighed, gripping his jacket with her good hand and pulling him back down the sidewalk until they were in shadow. “Yes, but it’s been a bad night.”
“Of course it has, I’m sorry. What do you need from me?” He slid his hands into her hair and cupped her face. “Just tell me and I’m here.”
She kissed him. She’d wanted to thank him for coming when she called, for stepping in to help her brother… She wanted to show him how much it meant to her. His lush lips opened and the tender kiss deepened. Changed.
Declan lifted his head and she smiled up at him, a fresh tear escaping down her cheek. “You’ve already given me what I needed. Why don’t you go home and I’ll call you if anything changes.”
He didn’t like that idea. “I want to be here in case you need me.”
“I know and I love that, but everyone inside is tense and worried and walking the edge. I don’t think this is the best time for introductions.”
Declan kissed her again before stepping back and shoving his hands in his pockets. “I understand. You should be with your family now. Just know that Trick and I will be waiting for you when you get home. You know we can’t sleep without you. And don’t forget to put ice on that right away.”