Always You (Adair Family 3)

“I hate this.” Thane’s voice rose with anger. “I hate we don’t know who is behind this, and that I have to leave you alone. Don’t make me.”

Despite my fear, despite my need to please my family, I couldn’t give in on this. Inside I was shaken more than I could say. Why was I being targeted because of Lucy’s case? I’d had very little to do with the whole thing. But I couldn’t let my brothers see how scared I was. I needed them to think I was okay because I needed them to let me deal with this in my own way. No one was chasing me out of my own home.

“I’m fine, Thane. And for all we know, this is just some wee prick playing a prank. I feel safe at home. Don’t take that away from me.”

My brothers grunted in unison. I knew what that meant. They’d take me home, but they weren’t happy about it.

MAC

* * *

While I was desperate to get back to Arro, to ascertain how she was feeling, furious at the thought of her being afraid, I’d also do just about anything for Eredine Willows, so there was no chance of me saying no on the rare occasion she asked for a favor. Not that I knew her all that well. And yet, I probably knew more about her than most. I’d known her when she answered to a different name, was there when she picked the new one after looking at a map of Scotland, and I’d helped Lachlan protect her all these years. Despite not sharing a close friendship with her, she was my family. Because she felt a deep loyalty to Lachlan.

“Are you all right?” I finally asked as we drove down the road that led to her home in the woods. “This whole situation … is it bringing things up you don’t want to remember?” I knew from Lachlan that Lucy’s stalking had shaken Eredine.

“I’m fine.” She gave me a toothless smile. “Just worried about Arro.”

There was something in her voice, something pointed.

I pulled to a stop behind her car outside her idyllic home. Switching off the engine, I looked at her, and she studied me in a way that made me feel seen. And I was sure I didn’t like it.

“I know, Mac. About you and Arro. Arro needed a friend to confide in. I know about the past few years, and I know what happened at your house a few weeks ago.”

Every muscle in my body locked as I waited for Eredine’s censure. For her to voice out loud every awful thing I already knew about myself.

To my shock, she offered me a weary smile. “I don’t think Arro knows Lachlan is aware of what’s between you and her … but you know he knows, don’t you, Mac?”

Fuck.

How the hell did Eredine know that?

“Lachlan told me.” She shrugged, answering my question.

Seems everyone told Eredine their secrets.

“And after he just married your daughter, we all know he doesn’t have the moral high ground when it comes to standing in your way of being with Arro. He wouldn’t, anyway. You know that, too, don’t you?”

I did know that.

My pulse throbbed in my neck. My face was too warm.

“Arro thinks you pushed her away because of Lachlan, but we both know differently. We both know why you really pushed her away. At least I can guess. Probably the same reason I push everyone away.” Eredine’s expression turned stark as she looked out the windscreen. “Not deserving of them,” she whispered.

My throat thickened at her unnerving perception.

At my silence, she looked at me again. “I’d be a hypocrite to tell you to get over yourself. But I will say this … you don’t see yourself the way others see you, Mac. People truly depend on you because you make us feel safe. We see the good in you. The protector. You are good enough. More than.”

Unexpected emotion filled me, and I resented her a little for the immensity of the feeling. Pushing through it, unwilling to hurt another woman I cared about, I replied, “If I’m good enough, Eredine, then you’re an angel. I don’t like that you think ill of yourself.”

In answer, she gave me an exhausted shrug and opened the car door. I wanted to say more, to find the right words to understand why she felt unworthy, but I already knew I wasn’t the right person for that job. How could I be when apparently, we were cut from the same cloth?

Before she closed the door, she leaned back into the car and said, “Don’t stay away because you think that’s what Arro wants. Don’t wait for her to come to you, Mac, because she won’t. She won’t ever again.” Her words ignited my panic. “It has to be you.” Eredine’s smile was encouraging, sweet, and it made me pause. As I watched her climb the steps to her house, waiting to make sure she got safely inside, I reeled.

Arro had told Eredine everything about my reaction to her a few weeks back, and Eredine hadn’t judged me for it. She hadn’t raged at me to stay away from Arro.

She’d understood as no one could.

I hated the reason she understood.