Aideen whirled on him and dangerously pointed a finger at his face.
“We already decided on a two-year break before we start tryin’ again,” she reminded him. “We have to enjoy Jax and Locke before we have more kids. That was the agreement.”
Kane, who was holding his sons, took a step backwards.
“I remember, Babydoll. I’m just saying, you got pregnant both times when—”
“You aren’t goin’ raw for two years, Germinator, so accept it already.”
Kane scowled at Aideen’s dismissal of their conversation while his brothers offered him apologetic pats on the back as if having to wear a condom during sex was a prison sentence.
“How are me stunnin’ nephews?” I asked, switching the topic of discussion to the boys.
Kane handed a sleeping Locke to me while Damien took Jax and Georgie to the far side of the room where their toy chest was. I nestled Locke against my chest as best as I could, but with my belly being so huge and him being big himself, it made the task a difficult one. Ryder took pity on my struggle and took the baby from me, settling his sleeping form against his broad shoulder.
I sighed. “I can’t wait to not be pregnant.”
“How long till you’re induced?” Aideen quizzed.
“Four more days if I don’t go into labour myself before then,” I said, my shoulders slumping. “They’re both expected to be six pounders, which is big for twins. Dr Harris wants them out before they get any bigger since I’m plannin’ a vaginal birth—trustin’ nothin’ goes unexpectedly wrong.”
“We can go walkin’ again later and get us some spicy foods,” Aideen offered. “Hopefully, it will kick-start things into action.”
“I’ll try anythin’ but sex at this point because it hurts so feckin’ bad.”
Aideen winced. “Sex never hurt me.”
“Thank God,” Kane said from across the room where he and Alec were looking at something on their phones.
Ryder snorted in response but didn’t speak—probably in fear he’d wake Locke.
“I wish I could stay longer,” Alannah announced, “but I’ve to go and interview someone who applied for me assistant job.”
Alannah’s graphic and design business was taking on a life of its own. She was growing an impressive clientele list, and with the joy of a booming business came chaos. She needed someone to help manage some of it, so she could focus on her job of creating something that fit with the vision of each client.
“How are you goin’ to get there?” Aideen quizzed. “I know your car is at me da’s garage gettin’ a dismal pump repaired.”
“I was goin’ to walk.” Alannah shrugged.
“I can drop you,” Damien offered, straightening up from playing with the kids. “Ry and I don’t need to be back in work for an hour and thirty minutes.”
Alannah was hesitant. “I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You’re never a bother.” Damien said, his cheeks flaring with a little bit of heat. “We can get lunch or something after your interview if you aren’t busy. “
“I can’t.” She swallowed.
“Why not?” Damien asked, crossing the room, frowning.
Alannah avoided looking in Aideen’s direction, which I found weird.
“I’m kind of seein’ someone,” she said in a whisper.
Everyone went deathly silent, even the kids; it was like they knew something was up.
“Who?” Bronagh asked first.
“Yeah,” Damien said, his voice shockingly low. “Who?”
“It doesn’t matter who—”
“It bloody well does!” Bronagh cut Alannah off.
Alannah looked at her friend. “I was goin’ to tell you, I promise, but I knew you’d tell Aideen, and I didn’t want a big deal to be made out of it.”
“Why would she tell me?” Aideen quizzed with furrowed brows. “And why would a big deal be made out of it?”
Alannah groaned and put her face in her hands.
“Oh, my God,” Bronagh suddenly gasped. “It’s one of ‘er brothers, isn’t it?”
“What?” Aideen asked, her eyes wide. “You’re goin’ out with one of me brothers?”
Alannah looked up, and instead of looking at Aideen, she looked at Damien as she said, “Yes.”
Damien balled his hands into fists. “Which Collins?”
I leaned against Ryder’s shoulder as she said, “Dante.”
Oh, shite.
“I’ve got to go,” Damien said and made a move to walk out of the room.
Alannah grabbed his arm. “Wait. Look, we need to talk.”
“No,” Damien said and removed her hand from his arm. “We don’t.”
“Please, I don’t know why I’ve brought this up, but we have to try—”
“I have tried with you.” He angrily cut her off. “I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve tried to show you how sorry I am for what I did to you. I’ve tried to befriend you. I’ve tried to give you space... I’ve tried to show you how much I care about you, but you don’t want me. I see that now.”
“Damien—”
“No, Alannah,” he cut her off. “You’re with Dante Collins, and I’m done.”
“It’s not a relationship,” she blurted. “We aren’t datin’. He is just... there.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Aideen angrily snapped.