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Diarmuid

 

 

 

When the brawl started I just reacted without thinking, leaping from my seat and running towards it.

Saoirse was stuck in that mob.

I wasn’t leaving without her.

I used my weight and strength to push my way through the crowd, thankful that my height allowed me to spot the flashes of her blonde hair.

When I’d found her, her fucking asswipe date cowering behind her, I’d almost lost it. I could see the fear in her eyes. I hated that she had to feel such fear. If she had been hurt…?

I should have just decked that Malachi like I’d wanted to.

But Saoirse’s safety came first. Getting her out of there was more important.

I led Saoirse through the parking lot towards my truck, tugging her behind me, her tiny hand in mine making my chest swell with purpose.

I was shaking from the adrenaline. High from the fight. From being near her.

I wanted to get her somewhere quiet so I could strip her of her clothes and check every single inch of her to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Until I neared my truck.

There was Marla standing by my driver’s door, her arms wrapped around her waist.

Oh fuck.

I’d forgotten about my date. The second the danger erupted around Saoirse I could think of no one and nothing else except for finding Saoirse and getting her to safety.

Now I was walking towards my date holding another woman’s hand. I was an asshole, but this was even beyond me.

I let go of Saoirse’s hand as if it were on fire.

Only realising afterwards what that might look like to Saoirse. I’d been holding her hand until we got in sight of another woman.

Double fuck.

I was fucking up left, right and centre tonight.

“I lost you in the crowd,” Marla said as I approached.

“Shit. Yeah, sorry about that.” Guilt weaved through me. I had lost Marla because I’d been too focused on finding Saoirse. “I’m glad you got out.”

Marla shrugged. “I wasn’t anywhere near the fight. But you looked like you ran straight into it.”

Straight to the arms of another woman.

God, I was an asshole.

Marla’s eyes went past my shoulder and widened. Shit. Here we go.

“Hi,” Saoirse said from behind me, unease in her voice.

“Hi.” Marla’s voice sounded unsure, too. Marla’s eyes went back to mine. “Who’s this?”

“This Saoirse. She’s…a friend. One of my kids.”

I felt Saoirse stiffen beside me

“She’s lost her ride home,” I explained to Marla.

Saoirse snorted. “Diarmuid scared off my ride home.”

I whirled around to her. “The only thing that dickwad wanted to ride was you.”

Saoirse slammed her fists onto her hips and glared at me. “What’s wrong with that, Diarmuid? I’m single and I’m legal.”

“May I remind you that your date was using you as a shield before I arrived. He is not worthy of you.”

“That’s none of your concern.”

I rolled my eyes, unlocking the truck with my keys. “Get in the truck.”

“I’m not sure your date would appreciate you taking her and another woman home.”

I could strangle her.

I stormed around to the passenger door and yanked it open, pointing into the empty seat. “Get. In. The. Truck.”

Saoirse shot a look to Marla. “I’m sorry he’s such an asshole. It’s probably best you learn this upfront.”

“Saoirse,” I warned through gritted teeth.

She rolled her eyes and stomped her way over to me, sliding into the passenger seat with an ungrateful huff. I shut the door on her, then turned to my date, who was staring at me with wide eyes.

I forced a bashful smile. “Some night, huh?”

She didn’t answer.

I helped Marla into the back seat of my truck before I got into the driver’s seat.

It was more convenient to drop Saoirse off first, but… “I’ll...er, drop you off first, Marla.”

From the passenger seat, Saoirse shot me a look from the corner of her eye. She didn’t say anything. Dropping Marla off first meant that Saoirse and I would be alone for part of the drive.

I’d be alone with her.

Something I’d been trying to avoid doing. And yet, like the masochist that I obviously was, I barrelled straight into trouble.