13

She’d taste and make a hmmm sound before immediately telling me what I needed to add. I usually preferred to listen to music in the kitchen, but I just had to deal with it.
Oisin truly had remodeled the kitchen to fucking perfection, and it had every spice known to man, every utensil, and everything was such top of the line.
The closets and cabinets were packed with everything I needed to bake and cook, so that’s what I did. I pulled out all the necessary ingredients to prepare the bombolini. I had trouble finding specific stuff, but Fiona came down a few moments later and helped me silently.
She didn’t intervene or ask me what I was doing, which I was thankful for because I wasn’t in the mood to chat. I didn’t even bother with an apron, and whatever mess I made, I would clean it after I was finished.
Fiona disappeared to what I assumed was to clean and do the laundry, and while I prepared the dough, Aofie walked downstairs in fluffy slippers and a princess nightgown.
Good morning, Elena. She said sleepily while rubbing her eyes.
Good morning, cara mia. Do you have school today ?
She wrinkled her nose. Daid doesn’t let me go to school. Ms. Mary comes and teaches me in my room. She explained, and I nodded my head. What are you baking ?
Bombolini. They’re Italian donuts.
That sounds yummy. Can I help ?
Of course, come here. Let’s wash your hands first.
Her energy and excitement were contagious. I giggled when she ran over to me. I helped her wash her hands, then pulled off the scrunchie from my wrist and pulled her hair up, so it didn’t get in her way. Oisin didn’t have a kitchen stool for Aofie to stand on, so I had her sitting on the countertop next to me.
Okay, bombolini dough is rather sticky, and I just finished mixing. I pointed to the bowl. Now, I’m going to cover it and let it rise for one hour. I covered it with plastic wrap and then placed it in the oven. While we wait for that to rise, how about I make you breakfast ? What do you like to eat ?
I like eggs on toast.
I like eggs on toast too.
She stayed on the countertop with me as I made some sunny-side-up eggs and buttered some toast. She told me her favorite movies and colors and whatever stories she could come up with.
I listened thoroughly, and once the eggs were ready, I set the plate next to her and leaned on the counter so I could eat with her.
Do you love my daid ? Is that why you married him ? She asked between bites, and I almost choked on the toast.
Shit.
What the hell was I supposed to say ? I did not love her father. At all. I hated his guts. She was just a little girl. Indisputably, I couldn’t say anything to ruin the image she had of her father.
Yeah, that’s exactly why I married him. I lied.
Daid loves you too. She said, her voice very confident and sure.
I’m pretty sure all your dad loves is stalking and being a creep. Sure, yeah, I murmured.
Oisin’s name and birthright were well known and talked about all over Henderson, hell, all over Nevada. No one ever spoke his name in vain but in respect and intimidation.
I didn’t know what to say to this girl because even though her father had sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies, he truly did love his girl, and I could see it.
He treated her carefully, and even though we met in bloody and terrifying circumstances, he’s never hurt me. I mean, not directly. He swore he never would hurt me, and I guess he’s made that clear in some ways, but I still didn’t trust him.
Made men had no temper and absolutely no patience. I couldn’t trust him to snap and lash out suddenly. How do I know that he suddenly wouldn’t explode like Enzo and hit me ? I didn’t.
I didn’t know the first thing about him, and I didn’t want to know. He wasn’t someone of importance to me. He never would be. He’d always be the man who shot Marcelo and imprisoned me in his house.
That’s all he’d ever be, and I’ll I’d ever be is his hostage. Wife was a title he called me to make the situation he threw me into light, but it never would be just that. I was his wife in every legal way, but that’s it. I didn’t want to be his. I’d rather die than ever be this man’s wife in every way.
Is that why you rode his gun the other night like some wanton slut who was sex and touch deprived ?
I mentally berated myself. That was nothing. It was a mistake. And it wouldn’t happen again. I needed to distance myself and stay away from him. After breakfast, I cleaned the kitchen while Fiona took Aofie to wash her up and get dressed for her morning lesson.
She threw a fit because she wanted to help me in the kitchen. I told her that I would wait for her so that she could help me do the important stuff like coating and filling. She agreed with a slight pout, and Fiona led her upstairs.
I checked the time and saw ten minutes until the hour was up, so I decided to make a cup of coffee while waiting. The soft sound of the coffee machine vibrated and hummed, and then the vibrant smell of coffee filled the air.
He had all types of creamers and syrups available, and I was an idiot for smiling and appreciating them. After making my coffee way too sweet, I sat on the chair behind the counter and waited for the oven’s timer to go off.
The door to the patio opened, and the men were loud and laughing as they stepped inside the house. Liam was standing with them as he slapped their backs and cracked a joke about something.
He led them out, smiled at me, and ensured that no one even looked at me as he guided them to the front door. I was stupid for even looking for Oisin in the crowd, and the sound of the timer going off snapped me back to reality.
Stupid Elena. You’re being stupid.
I opened the oven, pulled out the bowl, and took off the wrap. The dough had risen beautifully to double its size, and I smiled proudly. I scooped the dough out of the bowl and pulled out the rolling pin.
I began rolling it out and moving the dough around until I was comfortable with its thickness, then began rummaging through the drawer until I found a round pastry cutter. I cut through the dough and then rolled through the rest before cutting up another few pieces.
I set the cutter down, and now I needed parchment paper. I went to the cabinets behind me and kept looking, but I couldn’t find any.
What are you looking for, mo ghra amhain ?
His voice sent chills down my spine, and I spun around instantly.
Parchment paper.
He rolled up his sleeves, went to the bottom cabinet by the sink, and pulled it out for me. I stared at his tattoos for too long, and I admired that his wedding band was still on his ring finger.
It was the only piece of jewelry that he wore. That shouldn’t be hot. It was a ring, but fuck, this man made it hot. Seeing him wearing his wedding ring made me feel guilty for not wearing mine, and I couldn’t even give you a sane reason for what I was thinking.
This ?
Yes. Thank you.
I took it from him and returned to pull out a baking tray. I placed the parchment on it, then gently set every donut I cut. I grabbed the plastic wrap and covered it once more before placing it in the oven to rise again. I set the timer and began cleaning up my space, pretending he wasn’t just standing there watching me.
Cousin ! Liam’s voice cut through the tension, and I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
I’ll be right there, Oisin called back. He came round to where I stood and lifted my chin, forcing me to look at him. I have to head out. Do you need anything from me ?
Why was he asking me ? No.
I might be home late, so have dinner without me.
Why was he telling me this ? Okay, I whispered, but he didn’t drop my chin.
His eyes studied my face before they skirted down to my lips. He leaned in, and I closed my eyes in anticipation, only for him to kiss my cheek.
Be good, mo ghra amhain. He murmured, then walked away, leaving me breathless, warm, and confused.