33

Mandy's Pov

Faster than I was used to, Padraig drove me to a gas station where he bought coffee and cigarettes and then drove straight to my sister's.

We parked directly behind Rian's car, which was already waiting for us leaning against it. Despite the fact that I had seen him more often now, he still made me uneasy with his aura alone, because he just looked dangerous, just like the gypsy next to me.

"You've driven faster before," Rian said unimpressed to Padraig, who got out with the coffee in his hand, which I then did the same.

"I got coffee for my girlfriend, you bastard," Padraig replied and grinning, Rian raised an eyebrow to get closer to the gypsy.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" he laughed and Padraig just looked at him questioningly. "The removal of the eggs."

"Says the right one! Besides, you don't want to see her without caffeine at this time," Padraig laughed and after they seemed to have finished with their funny provocations, I followed them to Tina's front door, from which Padraig probably already had a key.

"From the caravan to your own idyllic home. You really can do something," Rian suddenly said, patting the gypsy on the back several times. Padraig just laughed and pushed open the door, through which we all walked into the living room.

"Oh, Mandy," blurted out my sister, who immediately got up and walked towards me, hugging me tightly. "I'm so glad you came," she whispered in my ear and then pulled away slightly to look deep into my eyes.

"Can I stay with you?" I asked with tears in my eyes and immediately she nodded vigorously to hug me tightly again.

"I'm still there... And I even have coffee with me", I heard Padraig amused behind me and after I had freed myself from Tina's warm hug, I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath and sat down on the couch, while she gave Padraig a loving kiss, which he seemed to enjoy.

"And who is that?", she wanted to know and nodded to Rian, who just raised his eyebrows in amazement and gave her his hand.

"Rian Gallagher," he introduced himself politely, but Tina didn't even take his hand because she was so focused on the mug of coffee that she seemed completely isolated for a short time, until after a few sips she realized what he was doing said.

"You guys are funny. Bring the Mayor of Dublin here and don't even tell me," she giggled, pulling on her dressing gown, underneath which she was only wearing leggings and a wide, white shirt.

"First of all, he's Senan's brother," I interjected, finally wanting to focus on doing something to unravel this whole mess.

"Well, I'm asking for the whole truth from you now," Rian said and everyone but him sat down while he stood and eyed us all demandingly.

"I killed Mandy's husband and even now I have the feeling that he's flying around here as a ghost," Tina started to tell and I immediately took her hand.

"Don't worry, he's still alive and probably going crazy because I ran away," I explained to her and after she took a deep breath, satisfied that she wasn't being followed by a ghost, she put her hand on mine and saw me with a seriousness that was completely new to me about her.

"And you don't have to worry either. You stay with me and if he comes again, I'm sure I won't just hit you once," she smiled encouragingly and gave me a kiss on my forehead, which really calmed me down a bit.

"That's my sweetie!", came Padraig, who gave Valentina an excited look, while Rian looked like he didn't understand what was going on anymore.

"Let's start from the beginning! Mandy's husband-"

"Ex-husband," I whispered, getting an immediate warning from him, but regardless of whether he was a person not to be interrupted, I wanted to make that clear once and for all.

"Okay, Mandy's ex-husband was here and Tina almost killed him and then he went back home?"

"Yes, something like that. But before that he smashed Odran's Porsche," Padraig explained and even Rian turned deathly pale at the moment.

"It's going to cost the guy his life," he said, ruffling his jet-black hair.

"Or some trays of muffins," Padraig grinned stupidly and got a questioning look from me and Tina, which he didn't respond to.

"And what does Senan have to do with it?"

"Well, he was there," Tina murmured, and while I would have liked to just tell the whole truth, I didn't want to betray Senan's trust.

"And now? Apparently the guy is still alive and at home. Mandy is safe here and nothing has happened to anyone. Why is my brother still sitting at home and looks like he's about to jump off the next bridge?"

Tina and Padraig just shrugged their shoulders unknowingly, while I nervously started biting my fingernails and avoided Rian's eyes, who of course noticed that immediately.

"Mandy?" he asked, slowly walking towards me to crouch right in front of me. His hand went under my chin and pulled my face just so that I had to look deep into his eyes. "Tell me what's going on."

"I can't," I confessed nervously and looked to Tina for help, who apparently was on Rian's side.

"You don't have to be afraid. I just want to help Senan, after all he's my brother," Rian explained and I took another deep breath.

"It's not about fear of anything. It's about trust."

Point.

"Mandy," my sister suddenly spoke to me pleadingly, and it made me incredibly angry that everyone was trying to push me to reveal Senan's secrets.

Besides, they couldn't help anyway...

"I won't say anything and that's that, basta!" I said angrily, removing Rian's hand from my chin to stand up angrily.

But then I remembered that having help wouldn't be so bad after all....

"You know what?" I turned back to Rian, who just got up from his crouch and eyed me curiously. "Ask him yourself, and if he doesn't want to give you any answers, then just give him time. Maybe you can just show him a bit of brotherhood and warmth during your conversation and not the ice block that you usually give away."

All three of them stared at me in bewilderment and I also wondered about my loose mouth, but if Senan didn't tell anyone himself, this drama might never end...

And I would never let that happen to Irina again...