Celtic Knot

by Shannon MacLeod

  Ian’s voice deepened and grew softer, all his attention focused solely on Lucas. “Want to know why Lily gave me her pretty little ring, Lucas?”

  Closer.

  Lucas moved away from Lily and Ian’s smile never wavered. “Did you really think she was saving that sweet little bit of honey for you, Lucas?” he mocked.

  Irena’s voice grew strident. “Don’t listen to him, dumbass. He’s trying to distract you. I ain’t bullshitting you, Lucky…” A red dot from the laser sight appeared in the middle of Lily’s forehead, “…I will shoot.”

  Forcing himself not to move Ian ignored Irena, smiling as Lucas inched closer. “Do you want to know, Lucas, what she was like?” Ian’s voice was smooth like liquid silk. “She was fucking amazing. So hot, so tight, so…”

  He searched desperately for the one word that would trigger Lucas to move farther away from her and went with his first instinct “…innocent. She gave me everything, Lucas, all night long, and I took it over and over and over again. I gotta say, she wore me out.”

  He flashed an insolent grin and winked.

  Irena gasped, and Lucas made a guttural sound somewhere between a snarl and a desperate sob. “She belonged to me, you son of a bitch.”

  Ian tensed in preparation. “She was never yours. She’s mine. She’s always been mine.” He laughed once, a harsh, taunting sound. “You never even had a fucking chance.”

  * * * *

  Frozen by the horrific scene playing out before her, Lily jerked upright when Lucas screamed with rage and lunged, but it was difficult to see happened next when the three bodies tumbled backward in one big tangle. One deafening gunshot reverberated around the room, then another, and everything shifted into slow motion. Lily’s last memories were of a hot, searing pain and the wail of police sirens then thankfully, sweet oblivion.

  29

  Lily struggled to open her eyes then blinked to shield them against the overhead light as the room swam into focus. Her father jumped forward to restrain her sudden attempt to sit upright, her gaze darting wildly about the hospital room. “Ian,” she cried, “tell me he’s okay.” She clutched at him, her panic rising. “Where is he, Daddy? Ian,” she wailed again.

  Dr. Evans grabbed for the call button, but nearby staff members were already flooding into the room to investigate the commotion. Behind them, two uniformed police officers appeared and filled and blocked the doorway. There was the sound of a scuffle in the hall. “Goddamn it, get yer feckin’ hands off–let me see her. Lily!” Ian roared.

  “Let him through,” Dr. Evans barked, and at once the policemen stepped aside to let Ian enter.

  “Ian,” Lily struggled to sit up again as she held out her hands to him. He pushed past the officers and ran to the bed to enfold her tightly in his arms.

  “Hush now. I’m here, darlin’,” he soothed. Lily sobbed her relief against his heart and his entire body trembled in response. “All of this is my fault. I should never have left you alone.”

  She gazed up at him and saw the tears welling in his eyes.

  “I thought I lost you,” he choked out in a broken whisper.

  “But you saved me. My knight in shining armor.” She managed a lopsided smile, which stretched the skin tightly over her misshapen cheek.

  “Sir, you need to let us take care–” one of the nurses began, placing a hand on Ian’s shoulder.

  Lily clung tighter to Ian. “Don’t leave me,” she begged.

  “I won’t, darlin’. I’ll be right here.” He relaxed his arms to ease her back and took the chair next to the bedside. “I’m just glad to see your beautiful eyes open again.”

  Lily clung to his hand like a lifeline while the nurses checked her vitals, and once they were satisfied she was stable, left the room. Ian caressed her uninjured cheek. She cringed, seeing the darkening bruises on his face. “How are you holding up?” she asked, brushing her fingertips against his battered cheek. “Those must have hurt.”

  “I’m grand, love,” he smiled then winced reflexively. “I’ve had far worse in pub fights.” A shadow crossed his face as he surveyed the massive bruise on the other cheek that had her left eye swollen shut. “I’m guessing Lucas did this.”

  She nodded once and a low growl reverberated in his chest. Through clenched teeth he hissed, “That bastard deserved everything he got.”

  “Lucas…” she asked, leaving the question unvoiced.

  Ian hesitated then shook his head. “I doubt he even knew what hit him. He knocked me out of the way when he jumped. Her next shot was at you, but it just grazed your shoulder.” As if just realizing they were still there, he gave Dr. and Mrs. Evans a tentative smile. “Your dad said it looks worse than it really is.”

  She shifted her arm gingerly, but the large bandage kept it from moving much. She sighed and closed her eyes as if falling asleep. He sat stroking her hand for a few moments before she startled him by asking, “Irena?”

  Ian’s face darkened. “She’s alive, more’s the pity. She’s under police guard, she’s not going anywhere.”

  Lily opened her eyes again. “What happened to her?”

  “I happened to her,” he replied. “The mad bitch shot you, Lily. I was raised never to hit a woman but I made an exception in her case.” He looked away from her and shrugged. “I hit her just the once, but she went down like a stone. She was still unconscious when they took her out.” He grinned sheepishly. “I had a lot of questions to answer when the cops came busting in, being as how I was the only one awake and alive. Took a fancy bit of talking to convince them I wasn’t a menace to society when all I could think about was getting to you to make sure you were all right.”

  A deep male voice interrupted from the doorway, alerting the pair to the two detectives standing there. “Lily Evans?” the first one asked.

  Her parents left in search of coffee but Ian stayed behind at the officer’s behest, and with Lily told the entire story of what happened from beginning to end. When Lily described opening her front door to find Irena standing there, Ian asked, “Was Lucas with her?”

  “No, it was another man,” Lily replied, “heavyset, not much taller than me. He’s done claims photos for the agency, but I don’t remember his name.”

  Ian snapped his fingers. “I’ll bet that’s the guy with the camera,” he explained. “He was with Lucas at the Castle that night.”

  “I think we’ve got all we need for now. We’ll be in touch,” the detective said, tucking his notebook in his pocket.

  After the detectives left, the room grew quiet except for the steady bleeps of the monitors. Lily shivered and Ian tucked the blanket up around her. “I’m glad you’re here.” she smiled.

  “I’m glad too,” he whispered, eyes downcast. “I’m sorry I was such an arse to you, my love. You didn’t deserve that.”

  “’S okay,” she murmured, “I shouldn’t have left the way I did, and I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that, either.” They sat just gazing at each other until Lily broke the silence. “Why did you say all that to Lucas? There at the end?”

  Ian took a deep breath. “I couldn’t have gone for either one of them without getting you killed. The only thing I could think to do was get him to focus on me.” His voice dropped to a whisper, “…and a, erm…glamour seemed like a good idea.”

  “Did your grandmother teach you how to do that too?” Lily asked.

  “Yes,” Ian answered with a shy smile, “although I have to say this is the first time I’ve ever had to do it under such duress.”

  “It worked. And I have to say it was the second best glamour I have ever seen.” She sighed.

  His chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. “Seen many then, have you?” He stopped. “Wait. Second best? What was the first?”

  “The one you put on me the first time I saw you. I haven’t been able to look away from you since.” Unable to stay awake, she yawned and her eyes fluttered closed. “You were right, you know,” she murmured.

  “About what, my sw
eetheart?” he asked, stroking her hair.

  “I was always yours,” she said, and drifted into sleep.

  * * * *

  Lily’s mother stayed with her overnight in the room. Ian and Dr. Evans, both unwilling to leave, fell asleep in the waiting room recliners. The following day, Beth was the first visitor there, and after assuring herself Lily was okay turned her attention to Ian. “I’m sorry I called you an asshole, Prince,” she said, genuinely contrite.

  “No apologies, Beth. I deserved it and…” Ian looked at her, perplexed. “Why the hell does she call me Prince?” he asked Lily.

  “It’s short for Prince Charming,” Lily explained, snorting with laughter.

  Ian rolled his eyes and muttered, “You’re both bloody delusional,” but colored with pleasure at the compliment.

  Lily was released from the hospital the next day. Her parents insisted she and Bella stay at their home to convalesce and to her surprise, Ian agreed it was the best place for her. He assured her he would visit every single day and bring her mail from the apartment. True to his word, he did indeed visit every day. Her parents always conveniently seemed busy during his visits, giving them plenty of time alone. It was hard for them both to keep from touching each other, but hand holding was the extent of what Ian would agree to.

  “Climb in bed with me,” Lily said coyly, patting the covers next to her.

  Ian groaned. “Not under your father’s roof, I won’t. You are tempting, though, in spite of whatever that godawful thing is you’re wearing.”

  “What? This old thing?” Lily asked innocently, plucking at the sleeve of her long flannel nightgown.

  “Yes, that. And,” he added in a low whisper, “if you ever decide to come back to my bed, I promise you’ll not be wearing anything even resembling it.”

  “Oh? What should I be wearing?” Lily tapped her chin in deep thought. “Let’s see. How about something in pink lace, with ribbon ties on the sides and up–”

  Ian clapped a hand over her mouth and hissed, “Bloody hell, you’re killing me. Stop this at once and behave yourself.”

  “…the back,” she finished, giggling.

  “You’re not at all amusing. There’s precious little room in these jeans as it is, and…oh, good, here’s your ma,” he broke off suddenly. Mrs. Evans breezed into the room and beamed at them.

  “Brought you two some iced tea,” she said, “and there’s homemade snickerdoodles in the oven for you, Ian,” laughing when his eyes glazed over in exaggerated delight. “How is work going, dear?”

  “We’re almost finished with the new section that’s opening on Monday. There’s a surprise for you too, sweetheart,” he added to Lily.

  She brightened. “What is it? And what do you mean if I ever decide?”

  As luck would have it, Ian was taking a long swallow of tea when she made the last comment, so Mrs. Evans had to pound him on the back to stop his choking. He shot Lily a stern look. “You’ll have to wait until you get back to work to see it. And don’t even try asking Beth, she’s sworn to secrecy.”

  “You’ve got a lot of secrets, don’t you,” she murmured.

  He gave her an unrepentant grin. “Aye, poppet, I do.”

  Changing the subject, Lily asked, “Did you bring my mail?”

  “Of course,” he said, reached into his coat pocket and handed her the small bundle of envelopes. Lily flipped through them then once again more slowly. “That’s strange. Is this all of it?”

  Mrs. Evans spoke up. “Were you expecting something?”

  “I haven’t gotten any of my credit card bills yet. They always come at the first of the month.”

  “Holiday mail, dear. Everything’s slow this time of year,” her mother reassured her.

  Ian nodded eagerly.“Holiday mail,” he echoed. “I’m sure of it.”

  His expression was just a little too bland for Lily’s liking, triggering more than one alarm. “Probably,” she said, giving him a hard stare. “Do you know anything about them?”

  “Ma’am, I just deliver it. You can’t be holding me responsible for what is and ain’t there,” Ian drawled in a flawless Southern accent. The two women howled with laugher and Ian grinned. “Now–’bout them thar snickerdoodles…”

  * * * *

  Lily was pronounced well enough to return to work the following Monday and Ian was invited to join the Evans family for a celebratory dinner late Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Evans cooked a big dinner of all their favorite Southern foods, and Ian was in his glory with the unfamiliar but tasty dishes. After dinner, they discussed their plans for the Christmas holiday. Lily told her parents about the upcoming Yule celebration at the Castle and they chattered on about shopping and putting up the Christmas tree, which had been postponed due to Lily’s convalescence. During their discussion, Ian went strangely silent.

  At twilight, Ian and Lily went out to the back deck overlooking the golf course, sat on the porch swing and watched for the stars to come out in the December sky. Ian put his arm over the back of the swing in invitation and Lily eagerly snuggled in close. Within seconds, she sensed tension running through his body and sought to soothe him. “Is something the matter?” she asked.

  “I need to talk to you,” he said.

  Trying to lighten his somber mood, she poked a tickling finger into his side. “Me too. I’d like to hear more about this if I decide part.”

  He didn’t smile like she’d expected. Instead, he turned a serious face to her. “I love you, Lily. You know that, right?” When she nodded, he sucked in a deep breath and blew it out in a sudden gust. “I need to hear you say it. Do you love me?”

  She laughed. “Of course I love you. What kind of question–”

  He put up a hand to cut her off. “What if…” he hesitated then began again. “What if you found out I’m not the man you think I am–if I were…someone else. Would you still love me?” He studied her, waiting for her response.

  Lily’s smile wavered a bit in her confusion. “What are you saying?”

  He closed his eyes and whispered, “Just answer the question. Please.”

  “I love you, whoever you are,” she said, trailing a finger over his lips. “You’re scaring me, Ian. What’s brought this on?”

  He opened his eyes and gave her a brilliant smile that made her go weak inside. “And I love you, mo stor.” He kissed the tip of the questing finger. “I have one more question for you, my lady.”

  At last… Lily held her breath and nodded expectantly.

  “Lily, beloved…. I am missing you so much, you just can’t imagine. Keep the apartment if you feel you must, but I need you back with me. Please, darlin’, stay with me?”

  She exhaled, shoulders sagging. “I haven’t changed my mind, Ian.” She sighed. “I love you so much, but I can’t compromise on that. I’m sorry.”

  He put his arms around her and held her close while they rocked. “I understand,” he whispered. They sat that way, unspeaking, until night had fallen around them and the evening air turned cooler.

  Ian was the first to pull away. He cupped her face in his hands and stared at it like he was trying to memorize every detail. When he finally spoke, he said, “Ta mo chroi istigh ionat.”

  “What does that mean?” she asked.

  He placed one hand over his heart and the other over hers. “My heart is inside yours. Never doubt it, my love.” He took Lily by the hand and led her back inside to say his goodbyes to her parents. Confused with his abrupt departure, she walked him to his car.

  “Aren’t you leaving kind of early?” she asked. “It’s only nine o’clock.”

  “I’ve got a couple of things I need to do,” he hedged. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her as if his very life depended on it. He opened the car door then turned back and brushed his fingertips along her cheek. “You are indeed wondrous fair, my beauty,” he murmured.

  Lily blushed at the compliment. “See you tomorrow,” she said.

  Ian waved, pulled out of the dri
veway and drove off into the night. She shivered as she watched him go, trying to shake off a strange sense of foreboding.

  30

  When Lily awoke Monday morning, she was eager to return to her normal routine, and for the first time since the “accident” as her parents called it, pulled a tarot card for the day. The Eight of Cups–turning your back and walking away, she mused. Ian and I are back together and I’m walking away from heartache, so that’s not a hard one to figure out. After a big breakfast with her parents, she and Bella headed for her apartment. She sent Ian a text message when she left her parent’s house.

  dropping Bella at the apartment then to work–I love you!

  Excited to be going back, she arrived at the Castle a few minutes early. She was happy to see Beth’s car in the parking lot, and she ran to the gypsy tent in her eagerness to see her friend.

  “Ian said there was a surprise for me here and you knew what it was,” Lily said. Beth grabbed Lily’s hand and pulled her along to the new section about to open. Ian’s work was finished. The drab concrete block had been magically transformed into stone walls, with elaborate trellises of delicate tea roses, wisteria and English ivy.

  About eight feet up, Ian had painted a single window. There, a beautiful blond maiden wearing a crown of white flowers gazed dreamily over the courtyard with her arms folded on the sill, a single long stemmed red rosebud dangling from her fingertips. Lily stood transfixed.

  “Amazing likeness, don’t you think?” Beth nodded. “Looks just like you, right down to that goofy expression you get on your face whenever the Prince is around.”

  Lily managed to tear her gaze away from the portrait. “Is he here yet?”

  Red curls flew as Beth shook her head. “Haven’t seen him,” she said. “Aren’t you going to be late?”

  Frowning, Lily glanced at her watch. “Eek–you’re right. Catch you later.” Arriving at the office within minutes, she sailed in, startling Dan, who sat behind his desk staring off into space.