Page 36 of Arranged Scars
Afterward, the group breaks up, some to deal with babies, others to discuss business in Declan’s office. I find myself in the kitchen helping Siobhan clean up.
“It’s always like this,” she says with an exaggerated sigh. “I cook, they eat, I clean it all up.”
“Seems wrong. You shouldn’t have to lift a finger afterward.”
“Oh, no, dear, I love it, don’t you listen to me. This makes me feel important.”
“You seem pretty important to me.”
“Once upon a time, but not so much these days.” She shuffles around the kitchen, going slowly. “Would you mind if I asked you about Finn?”
I look down at my hands as I keep rinsing plates and placing them into the washer. “I don’t know what I could tell you. I mean, he’s your son.”
“How have things been with him?”
It’s an innocent enough question, but I sense a strange undercurrent of anxiety. I look over and she’s watching my face carefully like she’s studying my reaction.
“It’s been fine. Not perfect, but not bad, either.”
She nods slowly. “And he hasn’t been… difficult at all?”
My heart rate quickens. I get the feeling she’s trying to ask something without asking it. My mouth goes dry.
“No, not at all.”
“You’re sure about that?” She moves closer. “I know he’s my son, but you’re a part of this family now, too. I take care of my own. If there’s a problem?—”
“It’s not like that.”
She relaxes slightly. “Would you admit if it were?”
“I don’t know,” I say, loading another dish. I wipe my hands on a towel. “But it’s not.”
“He didn’t want to marry you. Worse than the others, but he’s much better at hiding it. He has a complicated relationship with your family.”
My stomach twists. I feel like I can’t breathe. “Oh… does he…”
“I’m betting you know some of it already. I can’t tell you the extent, but there’s a history between him and your brothers. He never talks about it. I’ve tried to bring it up over the years, but he only gets angry if I press. I just want to make sure he’s not… taking that out on you.”
“He’s not.” I shake my head quickly. “I promise. I’ll tell you if something changes.”
“Thank God for that.” She sounds genuinely relieved. “You can come to me. I’ll listen and I’ll help if I can.”
I realize she was worried Finn might be abusing me because of how much he hates my family. A chill covers my skin and I quickly start washing again to cover my reaction.
She’s right to be concerned. I’m pretty sure that was his plan originally.
But something changed.
The sauna. His mouth on mine. His hands around my throat.
“Caroline? You ready to get going?” Finn’s standing in the doorway watching me. I look up and meet his gaze. I resist the urge to turn to Siobhan. I’m positive she’s studying everything I do right now.
“Let me finish cleaning up.”
“No, dear, you’re all good. This is almost done anyway.”
“Please, you can’t be in here alone.”
