“Funny how that rule doesn’t seem to apply to you or your brothers,” she said, crossing her arms. “I know I locked the front door. How did you get in?”
Ian shrugged, as if it was inconsequential. “I saw a strange car in your driveway.”
“So you picked the lock and let yourself in?”
For the first time Ian seemed to realize that Maggie might have a problem with that. “I was worried about you. You’re family now, Mags. And I’ve got a nephew to protect.”
He grabbed a cinnamon roll and somehow managed to cram the entire thing in his mouth at once. The hard, lethal mask he wore earlier transformed back into the delight of a roguish boy with gooey icing sticking to his lips right before her eyes.
She fought to keep the twitch of her lips from turning into an actual grin. The last thing he needed was encouragement, even if deep down inside she was thankful he’d arrived when he did.
Plus it was hard to remain miffed with him when he said things like that, when he looked at her with so much affection, as if looking out for her was the most logical, natural thing in the world. Still, his total lack of repentance was irksome.
She released the pent-up breath she held inside. “I don’t see how that gives you the right to break into my house.”
Ian grinned and ruffled her hair. “That’s because you’re an only child. You clearly don’t grasp the concept of big brothers.”
The corners of her mouth twitched again, despite her best efforts. “I’m older than you are.”
“True, but I am much bigger than you. Now, how about some of that coffee to go with these cinnamon rolls?”
“Well, okay. But only if you teach me that awesome death stare thing.”
“Deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Dumas was there?” Michael said, accepting the draft Ian poured for him. He had refused initially, but changed his mind after Ian convinced him it was a good idea. “Why didn’t you call me earlier? Is she alright?”
He kept his voice even, but couldn’t completely mask the displeasure in his voice.
“Relax, Mick. Maggie’s fine. A little pissed off, maybe. From what I heard, Dumas was trying to warn her off you.”
Michael snorted. Maggie didn’t do ‘a little pissed-off’; her fiery temperament didn’t allow for such degrees. She was either angry or she wasn’t, and he could guess which applied in this case. The thought of Dumas sniffing around Maggie created a blood-red haze that tainted his vision. It was probably a good thing that he’d had some business to take care of that morning. If it had been him walking into the kitchen instead of Ian, he might not have shown the same restraint, despite the fact that on most days, he was the most level-headed of them all.
“Any idea why?”
Ian smirked. “Because he’s an arrogant, self-centered bastard who cannot stand the fact that you, my brother, have succeeding in getting the one thing he cannot have?”
Michael grunted in response. He already wanted to kill the bastard for hurting Maggie over a year ago, though at the same time he was immensely grateful that Dumas had been such a selfish prick. If he hadn’t been, it would have made things more difficult.
If there was one thing Michael was absolutely certain of, it was that Maggie was meant to be his and his alone, and Fate would have found some way to ensure that their paths crossed. And once he’d come in contact with her, he would have realized who and what she was. The fact that she was unmarried and uninvolved when he found her made it easier, really, but the end result would still be the same. When all was said and done, Maggie was his.
“Maybe.” He took a drink, letting the smooth brew roll around on his tongue before swallowing. “You were there. What did your gut tell you?”
Ian’s eyes met his, and he had his answer. “He’s up to something. I can feel it, and I don’t like it, Mick.”
Michael nodded. The Callaghan brothers had long since learned to trust their instincts, and his were telling him the same thing. When one of them had a feeling, it was nearly a sure thing. When more than one of them shared the same feeling, you could pretty much bet the bank on it.
“Feel up to doing a little research, then?”
Ian looked affronted. “Like you even have to ask? I’ve already kicked off a bunch of sniffers. Dumas isn’t stupid, though. He’ll cover his tracks well. It may take some time.”
Michael nodded again. Ian was the best. If there was anything to find he would do it and then they would take care of it, because that’s what they did – ferreted out and neutralized threats. What worried him more was the fact that Dumas had managed to get into Maggie’s house so easily, and that things had escalated enough for Maggie to actually hit him. Ian wasn’t telling him everything – he was sure of it – but he would not press. For now. He trusted Ian enough to know that if he needed to know something, Ian would tell him.