When Garogyles Love Trilogy

by Chris Redding

  “They were in academia. They don’t know about the real world.”

  “So what is your option other than to believe in yourself?” Meg said.

  Good question. “I stay where I am.”

  “Stasis is bad for creativity,” Colleen said. “That’s why you ran off to South America one summer.”

  Fiona didn’t want them to be right, but they were. She had said that and she knew that to be true. “You guys.”

  The waitress brought their drinks. Fiona downed half of hers hoping the conversation would shift away from her.

  “Fi, come on. You’re miserable. Worst case scenario you could live with one of us until you found another job.”

  It was Fiona’s turn to roll her eyes. “Yeah, I want to be around a loving couple.”

  “What’s wrong with us?” Meg said. “Besides, you can’t be jealous if you truly don’t want a relationship.”

  She didn’t.

  Or at least she thought she hadn’t.

  After Damien, she wanted to protect her heart, not give it to another jerk. Seeing Meg and Colleen so happy had made Fiona soften her stance. Not that she had time to date. Damien kept her busy. He dominated her time and that had to change, but she doubted it would until her contract was up.

  She frowned. “I’m not jealous. I’m just a third wheel.”

  Meg squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry if we made you feel that way. These men came into our lives unexpectedly.”

  “I know. I’m glad you are both happy. You know that. I guess I’m just wallowing in self-pity.”

  “Then do something, Fi. Change things up,” Meg said.

  Her friend made it sound so easy. Just snap her fingers and things would be different. Meg had moved up in her company and started a charitable foundation. Colleen opened her own firm. Even Donal and Sean were opening their own security agency with their friend Tex. Things in their lives were going full speed ahead while she and her art languished under Damien’s stern hand. They were right. She had to change things, but Colleen had been through her contract with Damien and it might be hard to get out of it.

  She should never have signed it without Colleen looking over it in the first place. She’d just been so excited to work with Damien that she’d gone into the job wearing blinders. She’d paid for that for sure. She’d heard the whispers about his reputation. She should have known better when he’d begun paying more attention to her.

  Then he’d dropped her for the next flavor of the month. She didn’t want to be bitter, but she was. It had affected her ability to create. Despite her muse returning, she didn’t have time to create anything of her own.

  Even when she took the gargoyle statue, she had known she wouldn’t be able to create the fountain that it had inspired. And now it was gone which she hoped wasn’t a metaphor for her talent. Or her creativity.

  She sighed. “I know I need to change things up, but I’m unsure of how.”

  “Then let’s brainstorm,” Meg said.

  “Yeah. We could come up with some ideas between us.”

  Fiona appreciated her friends’ desire to help her, but she didn’t see how they could. She was that far down the rabbit hole that she couldn’t see daylight anymore. A man certainly wouldn’t help her. She had to do this herself. Even without the help of her friends. Nope, she’d gotten herself in this mess, she had to find a way out of it. “I thank you ladies, but let’s talk about something else.”

  Meg and Colleen exchanged a look, but the subject was dropped.

  ***

  Declan’s heart raced a little when Sean and Donal asked him to come with them when they were picking up their significant others. He knew Fiona would be there and he wanted to see her now that he was human.

  The three had been in the city looking at locations for their security agency. Declan had arrived in time to open it with them even if he didn’t know enough about the world as it was now. He’d learn. Donal and Sean would bring him up to speed.

  Right now he wanted to meet his fairy. He already knew she was beautiful. Those russet tresses and her sparkling green eyes came to mind. He hadn’t been able to assess who she was in danger from yet. That would be his first priority. He was here to protect her. Anything else that might happen would just be a bonus.

  The three women met to have drinks in a bar on something called South Street. That’s where the three men were heading now. Donal parked his truck in a lot nearby then led them to the bar. Music boomed from a place they passed, but that wasn’t it. They followed Donal into a bar and this one was much quieter.

  How did people get used to all of this noise?

  Meg waved them over to a table and Sean pulled some chairs up for them to sit.

  “This is our youngest brother, Declan. Declan this is Meg, my bride.”

  “This is Colleen, my fiancé,” Sean said. “And that’s Fiona.”

  Fiona waved at him. “Hi.”

  She was even more beautiful now that he could see her with human eyes. “Hello.”

  He sat down on the only chair left which happened to be next to her. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be awkward for her. He tried to curb his enthusiasm, but it was impossible. The words rushed out. “Fiona? That’s your name?”

  “Yes. You’re Declan? I’ve never met a Declan.”

  He grinned at her. Was she flirting back? He didn’t smell any goblins around her so she wasn’t in danger and he truly wanted to get to know her better. “Nice to be someone’s first.”

  She laughed and it touched something deep in his soul. He didn’t know her, but he already knew he would give his life to protect her. It was a great feeling after so many years in stone.

  “Are you going into business with your brothers?” she said.

  “Aye. I’m looking forward to it.”

  And he was. Their friend Tex had provided him with identification and everything he would need in the world today. Life was more complicated, but he wouldn’t trade it for any more time in stone on that church. The last few months had been nuts without his brothers around. He might have gone stir crazy if he’d had to wait any longer to be animated.

  “Did you just arrive here from Ireland?” Fiona asked.

  “Aye. Just a few days ago.”

  She rested her chin on her hand and her elbow on the table. Her green eyes sparkled. “Where in Ireland are you from?”

  “Same as Donal and Sean. County Galway.”

  “I’m going to have to go to this County Galway. Do all the men there look like you?”

  Now he knew she was flirting. This was going to be fun. “No. We Foleys are the best-looking in the bunch.”

  Sean punched Declan in the back, but there was no rancor. “Forgive my brother. He’s the simpleton of the three of us.”

  Declan punched him back with a little more force. “Sean just likes to pretend he doesn’t think he’s good-looking.” He showed his profile to Fiona. “He’s just jealous because I have the most chiseled chin.”

  Donal groaned. “And the smallest brain.”

  Meg laughed. Fiona did, too and didn’t take her gaze off of Declan.

  This was going well. He smiled at her. “No reason to keep our light under a bushel.”

  “You could take some lessons from Declan, Fi,” Colleen said. “Fiona is a talented artist and she doesn’t know it. Or refuses to admit it.”

  “Lass?” Declan said.

  “Yes, I’m an artist. Not sure I’m as good as they say,” Fiona said, stirring her drink.

  Oh, that would not do. If she was to be with him, she would need to be sure of her worth. It would be something he could work on. There was no need to be shy. He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. “I’m sure you create things as beautiful as you are.”

  Meg smacked Donal. “How come you never say things like that to me?”

  He rubbed where her hand had connected. “Because I’m not as charming as my brother is here. He has the Irish in him more than Sean or I.”

  “It was
sweet, Declan,” Colleen said.

  “Ní breá liom riamh ar dhuine ar bith a chóireáil leat gur mhaith leat,” Declan said, still holding Fiona’s hand.

  Her gaze hadn’t left his. “What does that mean?”

  “Don’t ever love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.”

  Fiona’s cheeks turned pink and he kissed her hand before setting it on the table. She sipped her drink, the pink on her face going to the roots of her shiny, red hair.

  “Why did we invite him to join us?” Sean said.

  “I don’t know, but I think it’s a mistake,” Donal said.

  “Speaking as someone who didn’t have any siblings, you should be happy the three of you can be together,” Meg said.

  The mood was lighter then, but Declan knew he’d gotten to Fiona. That was good. She just had to trust him, too. That would take time. He hoped he would have enough time.

  “Who is ready for dinner?” Donal said.

  Declan nodded while Sean said, “I could eat.”

  “The girls are hungry, too.”

  Donal waved the waitress over. When she arrived he said. “My two brothers need some Guinness and we need some wings for all of us.”

  Declan felt eyes on him and realized Fiona was looking at him again. He flashed his grin at her.

  This was going to be fun.

  Chapter Four

  Fiona couldn’t get Declan out of her head. She’d hung on his every word, loving the lilt of his accent and how it felt like music in her ears. She’d never been so enamored of a man so quickly. They usually had to spend some time impressing her before she considered them dating material.

  The only time she hadn’t done that was with Damien and look how that had turned out.

  At work the next day, she stopped a few times to just stare into space.

  “Are we keeping you from something, Fiona?” Damien asked offhandedly.

  He had her and two other assistants in a line. They each had a canvas and Damien would spout directions to them. It was Fiona’s least favorite activity. Damien liked to pit the assistants against each other, but they all knew who could do no wrong: whoever was sleeping with him.

  Fiona had had that favored spot, but she hadn’t known how tenuous that position was for anyone. If she’d known, she might not have gotten involved with Damien. He would have lost interest and possibly let her out of her contract. She’d seen him do it with an assistant who refused to get involved with him. She’d been starry-eyed when Damien wanted her.

  That wouldn’t be a mistake she made again. Even with Declan. She had to tamp down this desire for him growing in her or she’d make another stupid mistake. One that could probably cost her career even more.

  “Not at all. I’m just pondering your directions,” she said.

  Damien snorted. “Whatever.” He clapped his hands. “Enough. None of you people are doing anything properly today. Off with you and come back tomorrow with better attitudes. Except you, Fiona.”

  She put down her brush as the others scurried with their palettes and brushes into the other room to clean them. Resisting the urge to groan, she turned to Damien. “Yes?”

  “There is a banquet tonight that I’m supposed to go to. I don’t have time.” Too busy with his new girlfriend, probably. “A banquet, fundraiser.” He waved his hand. “Something like that. You need to go.”

  She blinked. “I think they will figure out that I’m not you.”

  “Just tell them I had another engagement and that you are my personal assistant that I sent in my stead. They don’t need to know that you are an artist also.”

  God forbid. “No, of course, I won’t reveal that.”

  Then again, this might be a good place to find a sponsor. On the down low. If she could find someone who paid for her art, she could get out from under Damien. Then again, she wasn’t sure how good she was. Colleen and Meg’s opinions didn’t matter because they were here friends.

  “Can I bring a date?” Fiona said.

  “A date?”

  “Yes. Someone of the opposite sex from me.”

  Damien pressed his lips together. “I suppose I did respond with a plus one. You can find a date on such short notice?”

  She wanted to smack him. “Yes.”

  He waved her away. “Then fine. Bring a date.”

  He left her to clean up, but before she did that, she texted Colleen.

  “Do you have Declan’s phone number?”

  “I can get it from Sean. Why?”

  “I have to bring a date to something and if he’s free I’ll bring him. It’ll be like bringing family.”

  That was a bold-faced lie. She didn’t have any brotherly feelings about Declan. The next text contained Declan’s phone number. As she cleaned her brushes, Fiona rehearsed what she would say.

  With her workspace tidied up, she slung her bag over her shoulder and exited the studio. She wasn’t going to make this call within earshot of any of her co-workers. She wasn’t that comfortable with any of them.

  Out on the street, she pushed buttons to connect with Declan.

  “Hello?”

  “Declan?”

  “Aye.”

  “It’s Fiona. We met last night. I’m friends with Meg and Colleen.”

  “I remember you, Fiona. You would be hard to forget.”

  Her mouth went dry. Was it his words or his accent or were they just a lethal combination? She cleared her throat. “I have this thing I need to attend tonight.”

  “Thing?”

  “A banquet of sorts. Black tie. If you are free, would you escort me?”

  There was silence. “Escort you?”

  “Yes. I understand if you’re busy.”

  “Nay. I’m free.”

  He didn’t really answer her question. “Would you go with me?”

  “Aye, lass. I’d be honored.”

  She pumped her fist. “Thank you, Declan. I do really appreciate this.”

  “How is your day going?”

  “My day?” Fiona said.

  Other than her boss demanding she go to this function, she was quite happy to be done with work for the day. “Uh. Okay, I guess.”

  “You don’t sound so sure.”

  She laughed. “I just got off work so that’s a plus.”

  “You don’t enjoy your work?”

  She’d been walking this whole time and now she was at her building. It was a three story walk up and she was on the third floor. Instead of going in, she leaned against the stone wall. “I don’t enjoy who I work for.”

  “Is tonight a work function?” Declan asked.

  “Yes. It is, thought I will be the only one going from work. My boss was invited and he can’t attend.”

  Doesn’t want to attend, but she wasn’t going to say that out loud. Declan didn’t need to know about her woes with her boss.

  “I see, lass. I will be happy to escort you.”

  “Thank you, Declan.”

  “What time do we need to be there?” he asked.

  “Seven.”

  “Then I will pick you up at six so we have plenty of time.”

  “Okay. I’ll be ready by then.”

  She didn’t want to hang up. She truly enjoyed talking to Declan.

  “Was there something else, Lass?”

  “No. I guess I can let you go. I’m sure I’m keeping you from something.”

  “Not at all. Is there something else I can do?”

  Be single and not a jerk? “Nothing else. Thanks again Declan.”

  “I’ll see you tonight, lass.”

  ***

  Declan disconnected the call and then smiled at the phone. He had a date with Fiona tonight. He and his brothers had been checking out an office building on the outskirts of Philadelphia.

  “What’s got you smiling like a fecking idiot?” Donal said.

  “I have a date tonight with Fiona. Sort of a date.”

  The real estate agent had left them alone in the offices to have
a discussion about the space. Their voices echoed in the cavernous space. They’d have to put down carpeting.

  Sean and Donal exchanged a glance. Sean spoke. “A date?”

  “Aye. She wants me to escort her to something black tie?”

  “Oh, Declan. You aren’t supposed to date your fairy.”

  Declan glanced from one to the other, while he leaned against a stray desk. “Both of you are with our fairies. Why can’t I be?”

  Donal strode to stand directly in front of his youngest brother. “Because we are married or going to marry our fairy. You have no intention of this being anything but a fling. We know your history, Declan. Fiona is not to be used and discarded.”

  Sean stepped closer to them. “She isn’t some town wench. She is the fairy you’ve been destined to protect. If you piss her off by just laying with her then you won’t be in any position to protect her.”

  Declan put up his hands. “Look. I haven’t noted any goblins around her. She doesn’t smell of any and I was at her place of work and there aren’t any there. Maybe she isn’t being threatened.”

  “You know what the Fairy Queen said. You would be brought to life when your fairy is in danger. That means Fiona will be in danger if she isn’t already. If you fail, you will return to stone. It could be a thousand years before your fairy appears again,” Donal said.

  “I think you guys are worried too much about my intentions,” Declan said.

  “We are worried because the result could be Fiona’s death. And not just because our women will hate us if Fiona is gone. We Foleys have a reputation to repair.”

  “Reputation? No one even knows who we are.”

  “They will once we get this agency up and running,” Sean said.

  “So this is about business.”

  “It is always about business, but it is also about our heritage, Declan.” Crossing his arms over his chest and raising his voice, Donal said, “You can’t fail.”

  Declan looked from one to the other. Of course, his brothers were all serious about this. “I’m going tonight.”

  “We’re not asking you not to go. Just don’t do what you normally do out on a date with a woman. Then again, you usually didn’t go out with women. They just found their way to your bed.”

  With a tilt of his head, he tossed out, “Is it my fault if I am charming?”