Old Ties
1324 Words
Chapter 7
Old Ties
(Lia’s POV)
Oliver left without another word, shutting me down before I could even attempt to speak.
His temper was a storm I didn’t have the energy to deal with, so I let him go.
“Hey,” I said quietly, walking up to Abby and Savannah near the back of the gallery. “I just wanted to say goodbye before I head out.”
“Wait, you’re leaving already?” Abby frowned, setting down her wine glass. “It’s barely ten.”
“I have to go back to Boston. Just for a few days,” I said, forcing a smile.
Abby’s eyes widened. “Seriously? That’s… kind of amazing. Finally, some space from Mr. Control Freak.”
I didn’t correct her.
Savannah perked up. “Boston sounds nice! Maybe it’ll be a good reset. And hey, tonight was a success, you sold everything!”
I nodded, my smile fading. “Right. About that…”
I turned to Savannah. “Why did you ditch me, Sav?”
She blinked. “What?”
“When I asked you to cancel the sale... you just walked away. I was standing there…alone…with him.” My voice cracked slightly.
“Oh.” She shifted awkwardly. “Lia, I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.”
“But you did,” I said quietly. “You left me there like I was supposed to handle it myself. And I know you couldn’t have done anything, but... it still sucked.”
Savannah winced. “Okay, yeah. That’s fair. I messed up. But in my defense—” she smirked suddenly, “Aiden is hot, and I panicked.”
Abby stared at her. “Savannah! What the hell?”
“I’m sorry!” Savannah held up her hands. “It’s not like I knew he was your... whatever he is. He paid me extra to speak to the artist alone, and I was like, well, sure. I didn’t know it was a whole thing.”
Abby’s eyes narrowed. “Wait. He paid you?”
Savannah nodded smugly. “Handed me a check on the spot. Said he needed five minutes alone with Lia. And honestly?” She leaned in. “I can see why you painted his eyes.”
Abby gasped. “Wait. That’s him? Cerulean Storm guy?!”
Savannah grinned and pulled out her phone. “I took a pic. Look.”
Abby leaned over, and her mouth fell open. “Holy s**t. That’s your ex or something?”
“He’s not my ex,” I said quickly.
Abby blinked. “But you painted his soul onto a canvas.”
Savannah nodded. “Yeah. That man walked in, and I knew. Those were his eyes.”
Abby looked at me, eyes wide. “Lia. You have to get with him.”
I laughed bitterly. “A man like Aiden Kavanagh isn’t for women like me.”
“Girl, you’re gorgeous. He bought all your art. And he looks like that. What exactly is the problem here?” Abby pressed.
I shook my head. “Trust me. It’s complicated… Men like Aiden Kavanagh … they only end up women from the same world and I will never belong to that world.”
Savannah gave me a half-hug. “Well... Boston better treat you right. And text us the second you land.”
Abby pulled me into a full hug. “I’m serious. If you don’t give him a chance, I will.”
“Noted,” I muttered, hugging her back.
I took one last look at them, my chest tight. “Bye, you guys.”
And then I turned and walked out of the gallery.
- - - - - - - - - -
When I got back to my apartment, I packed light. Just a carry-on and a small bag. I wasn’t planning to stay long. A week at most. I’d spend the time with my aunt and uncle and try to figure out why Uncle Seamus had sent Aiden instead of calling me himself.
Our monthly calls were always the same, Uncle Seamus checking in, asking if I needed anything, reminding me to use the trust fund he set up, and making sure I was happy.
He had always been the father figure I needed. But the thought of him finding out about Oliver… what Oliver had done, it made my stomach twist.
He would be disappointed. Disappointed in me.
And if he ever found out Oliver had laid a hand on me?
He’d put a bullet in his head without hesitation.
That’s why I didn’t want Oliver coming with me. Not because I feared for him. I hadn’t feared the countless times I had been targeted as a relative of the Donnelly family. But this was different… because he didn’t know what kind of family I belonged to. He had no idea what the Irish mob was. No idea what it meant to cross someone like Aiden Kavanagh.
Family meant everything in our world. And no one touched family without consequences.
I zipped up my bag and reached for my phone, scrolling to Moira’s number. She was the only person in Boston who truly knew me. I hadn’t talked to her in weeks.
It rang twice, then went to voicemail.
Beep.
“Hey… it’s me,” I said softly. “Aiden showed up at the gallery tonight and said Uncle Seamus wants me home. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m flying out tonight. Just… call me, okay? Is everything alright with your parents? I’m kind of freaking out.”
I hung up and walked out of my apartment.
As promised, a blacked-out SUV waited outside my building.
Three men stood by the vehicle.
Oliver was one of them, looking like he was about to explode. I had no idea what he could possibly be upset about now, but the tension in his stance made my stomach tighten.
The other two men, however, brought an entirely different reaction.
“Liam!” I exclaimed, breaking into a smile as I approached the first man.
He grinned and opened his arms, pulling me into a bear hug that lifted me off the ground. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Little prodigy! It’s been too long,” he said, setting me down but giving me a quick once-over. His sharp gaze flickered to my wrist for the briefest moment, and I suddenly understood the tension. Aiden had sent Liam here for more than just escorting me. He’d sent him as a safeguard, likely with instructions to deal with Oliver if necessary.
Liam was Aiden’s personal bodyguard and wouldn’t ever leave his side. The unknown meaning behind Liam’s presence, gave me a odd sensation in the pit of my stomach.
“I’m not a prodigy,” I muttered.
Liam ignored me entirely, grabbing my bags and carrying them to the SUV.
I turned to the third man, who had been smiling initially but now wore a far more serious expression.
“Niall,” I greeted, keeping my tone neutral. Niall was Aiden’s third in command.
“Cordelia,” he replied, his voice cool and measured.
“It’s Lia,” I corrected, trying to inject some lightness into the moment.
He didn’t acknowledge my correction; his piercing gaze fixed on me. “You good?”
I nodded quickly. “Yup.”
“Good.” His expression softened ever so slightly. “Let’s go.”
I glanced back at Oliver, who was watching the interaction with a mix of confusion and suppressed anger. He had no idea who these men really were or the lengths they would go to if they deemed him a threat.
This wasn’t going to end the way he thought it would. Oliver had walked into a world he didn’t understand, and no amount of charm or arrogance was going to save him from the storm he had stepped into.
- Writer
