Whiskey Rebellion - Toni Aleo Read online

  “Wait, what? It’s the same dude?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And Declan didn’t kill him?”

  “Ah, he wanted to, but we’re above that. We let our money or the law take care of things.”

  “I’d kill him,” he decides, his eyes wild, and I don’t know why that pleases me so.

  “We all hate him. My da and Declan weren’t polite to him for good reason, ya know? He used his ma to get me to meet him that night. And to this day, we’re unsure if he was intending to kill me, but I went like an eejit. When Declan found us together, he lost his shit. Casey and him—”

  “Casey?”

  I look up at him and nod. “Yeah.”

  “Sounds like a little pussy.”

  I want to laugh, but his eyes are so full of wrath. “I guess he is because he pulled a gun on Declan—”

  “And Amberlyn jumped in front of the bullet.”

  “You’ve heard this before?”

  “It’s the act of true love. Everyone tells that story. I just didn’t know who the asshole was.”

  I swallow hard. “He’s the one that took everything from me. I thought testifying against him would make everything better, and it did. I felt safe. He was behind bars, he couldn’t touch me. But then he was up to get out on good behavior, and no matter how much my da fought it, he was released.”

  “And there was no one to protect you. Or distract you.”

  I nod. “So I went to find a distraction.”

  When a stray tear trails down my face, I reach to wipe it away, but Jackson beats me to it, running his thumb along my cheek. Standing up, he pulls me into his arms, and I just let go. I cry into his chest, and he holds me close as his lips whisper soothing words into my ear. I haven’t cried over Casey or what happened in a while. But every time I did, it never felt like how I feel now in Jackson’s strong arms. Nothing could even come close to what it’s like to be in his arms.

  “He is nothing but a piece of shit, Lena. You are strong, you are beautiful, and you are the most amazing person I have ever met in my whole life. He doesn’t deserve anything from you. Not a thought or a fucking tear. Do you hear me?”

  I nod against his chest. “That’s what everyone says.”

  “Which makes it true.” I can feel his lips curve against my ear. “You’re so magnificent, Lena. Do you know I can’t find my breath every time I see you?”

  I smile against his chest. “I didn’t.”

  “Well, it’s true. You’re so regal, I should be kissing your feet.”

  I laugh at that, pulling back to smack his chest before gazing up into his eyes. “Ah, shut it with that shite.”

  His lips curl at the sides as he holds my gaze. “Do you realize how special you are?”

  “Sometimes I remember.”

  “You need to remember always.”

  “It’s hard.”

  He nods. “It is, especially when you’ve been down for so long. But he isn’t in control.”

  “I know.”

  “Then why do you allow him to be? To close yourself off so much. You are in control. You realize that, don’t you?”

  “I’m starting to. I’ve done so well lately. Ya help me, Jackson, honestly.”

  Taking my face in his hands, he kisses my lips softly. “Good, but you can’t let him have anything of you. Not tears, not thoughts. Those are yours. Don’t waste them on him.”

  My lip wobbles as I gaze up into his eyes. “I’m trying not to.”

  He drops his forehead to mine as he whispers, “But if you have to waste your thoughts, waste them on me.”

  I reach up, capturing his chin in my fingers. “That’s not a waste, Jackson.”

  And I’ve never spoken truer words.

  “You’re beautiful, Lena.”

  I melt into him, my fingers biting into his shoulders as we gaze into each other’s eyes. I wish I had known telling him would make me feel so much better. Like the weight is off my chest. It makes no sense to me. Doesn’t talking about what Casey did give him life? But instead, looking into Jackson’s eyes, telling him everything, I feel so free.

  Like I’m riding Belle though the field.

  “Kiss me, Lena,” he demands in a low and lusty whisper.

  I give him a look. “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  His face splits into a grin. “Such a rebel and a pain in my ass.”

  Before I can comment or even laugh, his lips capture mine in a heated embrace while my heart soars. I may have met him on a bender in London, but I’m pretty sure he is my sign.

  A sign that everything is going to be okay.

  I am truly starting to believe that now.

  I don’t think I’ve taken in a full breath since Lena walked into the coffee shop earlier.

  But now, I’m more breathless than ever.

  She’s in the middle of the pub, holding hands with Amberlyn and Fiona as they dance wildly to the music the band in the corner is playing. Lena’s hair is flying through the air, her face is bright, her lips turned up in the widest smile as she spins with such grace.

  She stuns me. Completely.

  After last night, I honestly didn’t think she would speak to me again. I was wrong, I guess, because she not only came to see me, but she told me what I’ve been dying to know. It all makes so much sense now. How closed off she’s been. How she was so desperate to forget. But by the grace of God, she is finding relief. The one place she tried to hide from is helping her. I may have helped here and there, but it is mainly her. And that has made all my earlier concerns about only wanting her because I wanted to help her evaporate like the rain that fell earlier in the day.

  I want her because she’s her.

  Lena O’Callaghan.

  When her eyes land on mine, her grin grows as she runs to me, taking my hands in hers. “Come dance with me.”

  I want to say no, but her eyes make me mutter yes. I don’t want that sparkle to go anywhere, and if dancing like a fool keeps it there, then I’ll dance.

  The music changes to some crazy beat, and when Lena lets out a cry of excitement, my eyes widen. But suddenly, she is bouncing on her heels.

  “Okay! Set up!” Declan yells then. He has been drinking, and I am finding when he’s a little drunk, he isn’t so stuck-up. “Kane, Fiona, come on.”

  They join us on the floor as everyone in the room lets out an excited yell. Meanwhile, I have no clue what is going on. Lena looks up to me. “We go to the left, left, up, right, kick, kick, turn. Ya got that?”

  Nope.

  “Absolutely.”

  She knows I’m lying and just laughs before taking my hands in hers. As the music restarts, I don’t even know how but she is moving me across the floor with ease. I glance around. Declan and Kane look like they know what they are doing, while I look like a damn foal trying to get my balance. I’m awful! Soon, I can’t help it, I just start laughing. Lena’s face lights up as she locks arms with me, spinning us around as she slaps her leg happily.

  I’ve never seen her like this.

  I thought seeing her on her horse, riding with the air rippling through her hair was breathtaking, but watching her dance with no cares will forever be my favorite.

  Taking me by the back of my neck, she tries to explain the dance, but I shake my head. “I need practice.”

  “Ah, yer doing great!”

  Thankfully, the song ends with everyone yelling out a yippee. Seriously. They all yell that, and I just grin as I look around. It’s late, but when Lady O’Callaghan came out of surgery with a better than expected prognosis for a normal life, Declan wanted to celebrate. Lena had wanted to stay at the hospital, but Lady O’Callaghan sent her home.

  A lady didn’t sleep on a couch.

  I am finding that an O’Callaghan lady doesn’t do much but drink tea and look perfect.

  But my O’Callaghan lady does it all.

  And she does it beautifully.

  Lena falls into my arms, holding me tightly as she gazes up a