“I can hear you fools laughing from upstairs.” Casey walked into the room with Clare trailing behind her.
“Hey, Case.” Rory hugged Casey tightly, kissing the top of her head before finding his way to Clare.
Kieran envied Casey and Rory’s closeness, even though he was probably the second closest to her after him. Casey was like a little sister to them, and she was easily the favorite. All the brothers, himself included, wanted nothing more than to shield her from every bad thing in the world, especially after everything she’d been through.
“K, good to see you at these. I’ve missed you!” Casey smiled at him, hugging him next as Clare and Rory wrapped an arm around each other, looking happier together than he’d ever felt alone.
“I was here last week, Case.”
“I know, it’s just nice seeing you around again.” She moved on to hug Quinn.
“I found some stragglers!” Kane announced, suddenly appearing in the kitchen and bringing Fiona and Shea along with him. Both hovered in the entryway, not fully committing. Kieran smiled when he saw Fiona and immediately walked over to usher them in.
Hellos and greetings echoed around the room as everyone welcomed his girls. He winked at Fiona but spoke to Shea first, kneeling down to be at her level and then pointing around the room. “Shea, this is my brother Rory and his girlfriend, Clare,” Kieran told the little girl, pointing to his burly brother and Rory’s miniature blond girlfriend.
“Hi, Shea, it’s great to meet you!” Clare squatted down to shake her hand. Shea just looked at her hand but didn’t take it. “That’s okay, we don’t have to shake.”
“How about a wave?” Rory joined them lower to the ground and gave Shea a small wave. Shea smiled, liking that, and waved back to them both. “Oh, and this is our dog, Ace. You can pet him if you want.”
Rory motioned for Ace to come over from where he was sitting comfortably at Dee’s feet. The dog stood and plodded over to them, pushing his nose up against Shea’s hand. She giggled and pulled back, but the dog insisted, so she finally petted him gently. The look on Ace’s face said he’d made a new friend for life.
“And this is my brother Quinn.” Kieran pointed next to the heavily marked man. Shea’s eyes widened as he leaned down and waved at her. She shrank away from him and stepped back into Fiona’s legs. Fiona put a hand on each of her shoulders to comfort her.
“It’s okay, Shea. He’s nice, I promise,” Fiona told her assuredly.
“I am, I swear.” Quinn sported a look of guilt, as he could see his piercings and tattoos had frightened the young child. “It’s just a little decoration, that’s all.”
“You look like a robot,” Shea finally spoke, narrowing her eyes at him, still unconvinced. Kieran burst out laughing, and so did everyone around listening in.
“Do you like robots?” Quinn asked her, completely undeterred, a big smile still on his face. Shea nodded yes. “Then maybe I’ll be a robot.”
“Is it time for dinner yet?” Kieran interrupted. Too much attention might unsettle Shea—and Fiona.
Fiona shot him a grateful smile, and he knew she was still nervous about being around everyone. Standing, he wrapped an arm around her and hoped tonight would go well. He was more than a little nervous that someone in his family would say something about his prison time before he had a chance to tell Fiona himself. His family tended to be very positive thinkers, not wanting to dwell on the past, so he was hoping this would pay off tonight.
It was a risky move, for sure, but he planned on telling Fiona about it this week, although not in front of Shea. It was hard finding time when the young girl wasn’t with them. Not that he minded, because he already adored Shea, but a conversation about his past wasn’t appropriate for a child’s ears. And anyway, he was having a hard time figuring out how to broach the topic.
“Just a few minutes ’til the food is ready,” Dee said. “Why don’t you bring this salad out to the dining room table, Shea?”
Dee handed the big bowl to Shea, who took her task very seriously and walked out of the room. Ace stuck like glue to Shea’s side, almost at eye level with the small child. Kieran thought he even heard Shea whispering to the dog, and the sight warmed his heart.
“And everyone, this is Fiona, Shea’s big sister and my woman,” Kieran introduced her proudly. Fiona blushed but gave the small crowd a wave.
“I’m Clare, I’ve heard so much about you.” The petite blonde stepped forward and gave Fiona a hug. Kieran let go of her just enough to let others hug her. “And this is Kieran’s oldest brother Rory.”
Rory hugged her as well, smiling. “I’m also his boss.”
“Oh, that’s right, he told me,” Fiona said with a nod.
“Temporarily,” Kieran quickly added.
“I’m Quinn, the family robot.” Quinn took a turn hugging her next, and Fiona laughed heartily at his joke.
“You already know my parents and Casey, since you’re staying here, of course.” Kieran motioned to them. “And I guess you’ve met Kane before, too.”
“Yup, I think I’ve met everyone, but I’m probably going to mix up some of your names. This is a big family.” Fiona slid an arm around Kieran’s waist, as if in need of a base to hold on to.
“Everyone but Jimmy, my youngest son. He’s working today. Maybe next week.” Dee lined up several dishes on the counter that were ready to go for dinner. “How about everyone help Shea and start bringing stuff out to the table now?”
“Sure thing, Ma,” Quinn said, grabbing a basket of rolls and heading for the table, sampling one on the way.
“Oh, Fiona, will you take this plate out for Shea?” He saw his mother hand a simple plate to Fiona that had carefully laid out rows of chicken nuggets and carrots.
Fiona looked up at Dee with tears in her eyes, nodding. “Thank you.”
“Oh, honey.” Dee smiled, cupping her cheek. Kieran watched the exchange between them and couldn’t help feeling as if something big had just happened, like Fiona had become part of the family before his very eyes. He wasn’t entirely sure what the interaction was, but he smiled at the thought of Fiona being a Kavanagh.
I really am moving fast, he thought. Yet still, it didn’t frighten him in the least.
Finally, the group dispersed, taking dishes into the dining room and setting the table. Five minutes later, everyone was seated, grace had been said, and plates were piled high with Dee’s famous home cooking.
Kieran looked around the table, taking in all the smiling, chatting faces of everyone he loved. Dee and Fiona were talking about flowers to his right and Shea was to his left asking Quinn about world domination by robots. Shea was also rhythmically petting Ace, whose head was sticking up next to her chair. Kane and Rory were discussing fight techniques, and Clare was asking Casey about her date last night.
It was pretty much an average Sunday dinner with his family, with the addition of Fiona and Shea. He was proud of his family for accepting them so easily, not only at dinner but in their home and their lives. As he watched all of them and ate his mother’s delicious food, he was hit with another realization—he was an idiot. A complete idiot.
He’d wasted two years in prison, missing these exact moments together, missing these meals, and all because he had liked the allure of nonregulation street fighting. All because he’d liked making up his own rules, and still breaking them. The women, the drugs, the violence that came along with the underground sport, were intoxicating and fun. But they were nothing compared to what he had given up: two years with people who loved him, with people who accepted him for who he was.
He’d traded in love and family for a tiny cell and iron bars.
Shaking his head, he took a bite from his roll and vowed to himself that he was never going to take love for granted. In fact, he was going to surround himself with it as much as possible.
Starting with Fiona.
“Kieran, you look like you’re lost in another world.” Clare smiled at him from across the tabl
e.
“Oh, sorry, guess I was. What’s new with you, Clare?” he asked.
Clare shrugged and stabbed a piece of broccoli on her plate with her fork. “Nothing, we’re getting ready for the clinic grand opening next week. You’ll be there, right?”
He nodded, cutting off a slice of butter from the butter dish and spreading it over his roll. “Yeah, and then I’ll be looking for a job the next day since the construction will be done.”
“What about working at Legends?” she said, lowering her voice to keep his father from overhearing, but Seamus was deep in conversation with Dee and not paying attention to them anyway.
Kieran wasn’t sure that door was open for him anymore. His father still didn’t trust him, and rightfully so.
“Maybe…I don’t know. Is the grand opening going to be black tie?” he asked, changing the subject and taking a bite of the buttery roll.
“Yep, it’s an official gala. There will be press and catering and all kinds of fancy things like that. Rory wanted to go all out.” Clare squeezed his brother’s hand, speaking in a normal volume once more, before popping another piece of broccoli into her mouth.
Rory returned her smile with such adoration, Kieran could feel it radiating between them. Before Kieran had gone to prison, Rory had been at the top of his career as a fighter, happier than he’d ever seen him but always alone. Then he’d had his accident and his career had ended, all while Kieran was behind bars. From what he’d heard from family members, it had gotten pretty ugly. Not even the best times in their lives—before prison and broken knees—compared with the expression on his brother’s face right now, though.
Kieran found himself envying the connection between Rory and Clare, watching the soft gazes pass between them and their affectionate touches, and he hoped Fiona would one day open up enough to let them enjoy the same type of connection.
“So what happens after the gala? You’ll run the place as a vet?” Kieran asked, swallowing the last of his roll.
“Not yet. Dr. Prentiss will be the main vet, and I’ll be working alongside him as I learn. I finish my bachelor’s degree this summer. Thankfully, it didn’t take me as long as most since I had some credits already and was able to take an expedited program. Then I’ll start at a vet program in the fall outside of the city—definitely not looking forward to that commute!” She was animated as she talked about her future. “I won’t be official for a few more years, but I can’t wait.”
He envied her excitement. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He’d been on the path to be a fighter, but he had never found it all that fulfilling. He enjoyed the action itself, but the championships, the matches, the titles—all of those things seemed pointless. Just racking up wins to be the best? He didn’t really want that. He wanted something more, work that was centered on something other than himself.
“That’s amazing, Clare,” he complimented her as he scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes from his plate and put it in his mouth.
“She’s definitely amazing.” Rory smiled with pride. “What about you, Kieran? What do you want to do now that the clinic construction is almost finished?”
Clare glanced at him, knowing he’d just said he was looking for a new job and hadn’t found his foothold yet. Kieran noticed Kane turn toward them as well, interested in his answer, he assumed.
“I’m not sure yet.” He shrugged, keeping his eyes down. “I’m still working at the youth center in the afternoons, so maybe I’ll do something with kids.”
“There are a lot of options with kids out there. You could do something at Legends,” Kane contributed, pointing a fork at him.
Kieran took another bite of his mashed potatoes. “Maybe.”
“Is being employed part of your par—” Rory started, but Kieran immediately cut him off with a glare, then glanced sideways at Fiona to see if she’d been paying attention. She was looking at him, innocently following the conversation.
“I’m still weighing all my options,” he said quickly, hoping they got the hint.
Rory narrowed his eyes at him; Clare glanced at Fiona, then looked down at her own plate. Tension hung heavily over that end of the table as everyone seemed to understand what he’d just silenced—everyone except Fiona, of course.
“Fuck, that’s messed up, K,” Quinn said, interrupting the silence, leaning into the conversation.
Kieran hadn’t even realized Quinn had also been listening. He hoped his parents were too busy talking to Casey to notice the dying mood at this end of the table.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kieran warned his brother. He wanted to tell Fiona about the last two years, but he needed to figure out the best way to do it, and now certainly wasn’t the time. He hadn’t wanted this to come up during dinner, and he mentally scolded himself for going about this entire thing so foolishly and not telling her right away.
“I’m confused. What’s wrong?” Fiona asked, putting down her fork, her brows furrowed.
“Nothing.” He squeezed her hand as he glared at his brothers.
Both of them glared back while Clare pretended to be engrossed in her meal. He didn’t need their judgment right now. It wasn’t any of their business what he did or didn’t tell her. After all, they’d known each other for only a week. Telling someone you just got out of prison isn’t really a topic for a first date. Not if you wanted a second date, that is.
And he was going to tell her.
“So who’s coming to my state championship in a few months?” Kane asked loudly, veering them all onto a new topic.
Kane gave him a friendly nod, and Kieran felt relieved that at least someone had his back. He knew that Kane probably disagreed with him, too, but being a twin ran deep. He’d always be there for him, no matter what.
Chapter 14
“Whoa.” Fiona’s eyebrows shot up as she glanced into Casey’s bedroom on her way to her own. There were three large racks of dresses in the center of the room. Not just any dresses, but gorgeous gowns and evening wear that looked fit for the red carpet. “What’s going on in here?”
“Fiona!” Casey’s head suddenly popped up over one of the garment racks, and she waved her over. “Come in! You still need to pick your dress, too.”
“For what?” Fiona stepped in, gravitating toward the first rack and the silk sheaths that hung from it. “How did you get all these up here?”
Two dresses on the rack Casey was standing behind pushed apart and Clare’s pretty blond head peered out. “I helped!”
Fiona laughed at her sudden appearance. Clare was shorter than the rest of them, so Fiona hadn’t seen her at first. “Hey, Clare, what are you doing here?”
“Helping you girls pick out your dresses, of course! I have some smaller sizes I think may fit Shea, too, but we’ll probably need to get them hemmed. Is she here?”
“She’s in her room reading,” Fiona told them. “Why do we need dresses? What are these for?”
“The gala, of course!” Casey and Clare said in unison, both holding up different dresses against themselves.
“You want me to wear one of these to the gala? I was just going to borrow a simple cocktail dress from Nora.”
“Cocktail dresses won’t do for this,” Clare said as she began pulling out dresses she liked and laying them across the bed. “It’s a big family event, especially for Rory, so if I’ve got to be dressed up for it, so do you. After all, you and I are both part of the Kavanagh family now, thanks to our taste in men.”
“Listen to Clare—you’re one of us now,” Casey said. “I’m going to go get Dee. I’ll be right back. Try something on!”
“Fair enough.” Fiona laughed and began scanning through the closest rack of dresses as she and Clare were left alone. As she browsed, she realized that each and every one of these was by a major designer. “Where did you get these dresses? They’re…” Words failed her as she looked down at the soft fabric and sparkling gems making up the dress in her hand.
&nb
sp; “Crazy, right?” Clare grinned. “Dee has really great taste. Don’t look at the price tags—they’ll only make you dizzy.”
Fiona responded quietly, still taking in the scene. “I knew they had money, but this…”
“I thought the same thing when I was first hanging out with Rory. You tend to forget how rich the Kavanaghs actually are, since they don’t really live lavish lifestyles.”
“Why don’t they?” Fiona asked, sliding her fingers through the fabric of several dresses that probably cost more than she used to pay in rent.
“I couldn’t figure that out until I moved in with Rory and our finances merged. They’re just not interested in it. He gives more money away to charities and people in need each month than he spends on us. His parents are the same way, and from what I hear, so are all his brothers.” Clare looked so proud that Fiona couldn’t help but feel it, too. “They were raised to live on what they need, and then give the rest away. They splurge like this only for special occasions, because Dee will do anything to support her kids. She really wants the clinic to be a success.”
“That’s so wonderful.”
Fiona knew the Kavanaghs were an amazing group of people, but to hear all they did for others solidified her adoration of the family. They were so quiet about how much they helped the community, yet so loud about their love for one another. She couldn’t help but feel more drawn to Kieran, wanting to know more about him.
“It definitely is, but I still like to enjoy the splurges when they happen!” Clare joked as Casey walked back in, followed by both Dee and Seamus.
“Dress night already?” Seamus asked. “Guess that means I have to go get my tux fitted.”
Dee gasped audibly and turned to her husband. “Seamus, you said you did that last week! The gala is only a few days away.”
“It’s on my list.” He grinned, kissing Dee on the top of her head and then walking back out of the room.
“That’s tomorrow’s problem.” Dee sighed and shook her head. “Have you ladies selected some dresses yet? There should be plenty here for all of you to have your pick. I had every designer I know send us samples, and we’ll just send back the ones we don’t use.”
Saving a Legend: A Kavanagh Legends Novel Page 16
