Tully (Dangerous Doms 7)

In the foyer, Maeve clears her throat. “I need to speak to the men of the Clan. Any of the women who’d like to listen as well may.”

Tully nods to me. “Are you coming, then, McKenna?”

I nod. There’s a heavy weight on my chest. Between my own sobering loss and the death I witnessed tonight, I’m feeling somber and heavy. But I need to hear what she has to say, and I don’t want to be separated from Tully.

We assemble in the sitting room, a large, comfortable room with a fireplace, stuffed armchairs, long coffee tables, and lamps that cast golden semi-circles on the burgundy carpet. Tully sits heavily on a leather armchair. I look about for another one to sit in, but he gives me a quick shake of his head, tugs my hand, and pulls me straight onto his lap. It feels fitting, and not at all awkward.

I settle in, my head on his chest, our fingers laced together. Our breathing mingles as others find their places. Keenan says a few hushed words to staff, and within minutes, they’re circling the room with steaming teapots and saucers with cups on them.

“’Tis a sad evening indeed,” Maeve says, and her eyes make her look a little older than she is.

“Did you apprehend him the man who attacked Mary?” Keenan says, and I know in this context the phrase “apprehend” is being used lightly. They’re not police officers who peacefully handcuff those under arrest.

“No,” Tully says. “We haven’t.”

“See that you do.”

“Aye, brother,” Tully says, a fire in his eyes I haven’t witnessed often. “You have my word. As soon as we’re finished here, that’s my first mission.”

“Not yours, Tully,” Keenan says sternly. “I won’t send a man of the Clan out alone. You’ll take your brothers with you, and together we’ll find and apprehend the man who hurt Mary.”

Mary flushes. “I’m sure the Cowen Clan will see to my protection.”

Keenan shakes his head. “That they will, Mary, and we’ll avenge those who hurt you. But understand that you were attacked because of your likeness to McKenna.” Keenan’s eyes come to me. “Who’s soon to be a claimed woman of the Clan. Are you not, McKenna?”

My heart thunders and my palms grow sweaty. I sit up, and Tully tightens his grip on my hand. I swear he’s holding his breath, his body’s gone rigid in anticipation of my response. I swallow hard.

“Aye, sir. Of course I will.”

There’s no question, I know that now. I won’t return to my lonely flat by myself. I won’t turn my back on the chance to be a part of this fierce, loyal family. And I can’t leave Tully. Never again.

And for the first time that night, those around us smile. Aileen nods and beams at me. Maeve’s eyes grow soft, and she nods to herself. Tully gathers me in his arms and drags me to his chest, kissing the top of my head.

Keenan smiles sadly himself. “Excellent. After things are settled, we’ll move on to make plans.”

What have I agreed to? Nerves flutter in my belly like butterflies, but Tully’s steady reassurance helps.

“Relax, lass,” he whispers in my ear. “We’re hardly taking vows in the morning.” I smile. “We’ll talk about our options when we’re done here.”

I nod. “Aye. Thank you.”

He runs his fingers through my hair, and I don’t know if it’s more to settle himself or me. Perhaps both.

Slowly, all eyes go to Maeve. She sits alone, perched at the edge of an overstuffed chair, but she’s looking off in the distance. Her mind’s a million miles away.

She sighs before she speaks. “A few weeks ago, when we were attacked, we guessed it was either the Scottish or the Welsh who came to attack.”

Keenan and the others nod. I feel Tully’s attention fully riveted on hers as he holds me.

“I explained how the former Scottish Chief, a married man, fell in love with a woman from Ballyhock and got her pregnant. He attempted to kill her for what he thought was betrayal.”

This is the first I’ve heard this story, and I listen in silence, riveted.

“He started a war with Seamus, and after much bloodshed, we formed an alliance with both the Welsh and Scottish Clans of the north.”

“Aye,” Keenan says.

Maeve smiles sadly. “What I didn’t tell you was that I had a relationship myself with the son of the Welsh Chief. You have to understand, I rebelled against the arranged marriage with Seamus. Your father hated when I spoke of it, and out of respect for him I didn’t. But now it’s important. I was only a girl. I had several… boyfriends, you might say. Lovers.”

Tully leans in and whispers in my ear, “She was nearly still a child when she wed Seamus. Theirs was an arranged marriage.”

I nod silently. It’s a stark reminder that the Clan follows only their rules and no one else’s.