Ireland Kings

Free

I was so thankful that I had just my purse, and security was a breeze. I had no checked luggage, so I was able to just go to the gate. I didn’t relax and kept looking over my shoulder. I was jumpy and probably freaking people out. Once I was in the air, I was finally able to breathe. I slept most of the way, only really waking up when the stewardess offered me dinner. I didn’t eat regularly it was all part of staying the perfect size in Brandon’s eyes, but I ate that food like it was my last meal. Finally, I landed in Ireland and wanted to cry out of happiness. I was finally free.

I got a town car and headed to a hotel for the night. I ended up going to the shops where I bought a suitcase and filled it with some clothes, makeup, toothbrush and all the essentials. I would just buy food once I got to the house. I returned to the hotel and changed into some pajamas after I had made sure all the locks on the door were secured. The next morning, I was leaving with my suitcase in hand and noticed a man down the hallway staring at me. I started to get an uneasy feeling, and as calmly as I could manage, I got to the elevator and went down. I checked out and began running to the doors while looking over my shoulder to make sure that the man wasn’t following me. I didn’t make it far when I ran into a brick wall, only it wasnt a wall.

I almost fell when I felt 6 pairs of hands all catch me before I could hit the floor. When I looked up, I saw 3 sets of identical green eyes staring at me. Brandon was tall at 6’6” but these men towered over me! They had to be at least 6’10” there red hair was cropped on the sides and longer on top, but it was perfectly styled. I wanted to run my fingers through it. There face where perfect with straight noses and chiseled chins. Their 3 piece black suits were tailored perfectly to their body, which showed off all the muscle underneath. They looked like they had been made out of marble. Their broad shoulders tensed, and I heard a growl come from the one on the right, and my heart rate picked up. I tore my eyes off them it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I shook their hands off of me, and they reluctantly let go. I noticed all of them were looking at the bruises and cuts I had. It made me feel embarrassed for them to see me like this for some reason. I looked behind me, and that man was there again looking around like he had lost someone. I wasn’t going to wait around and find out if it was me. “I’m sorry.” I whispered and took off again. Once outside, I found a town car and told them to take me to my grandparents’ house two towns over. I looked out the window and all three of the men when staring at me through the back window, so I quickly turned around and slouched down in the seat.

I kept thinking about the little sparks I felt when those men’s hands were on me. I couldn’t get them out of my head for some reason and thought about them all the way to the house. When we pulled up, I got out of the car and thanked the driver as I gave him the money for the ride. I still had about 6,000 and was going to have to go to the bank tomorrow to get all of my things in order. As I walked up the walkway, I wanted to cry at the state of the house. The lawn that my grandpa had always made perfect was overgrown along with the garden that my grandma took such pride in. I looked at the stone cottage the ivy had started to overtake the front of it. I got up to the covered porch and felt around next to the porch light fixture and found the spare key that my grandparents always kept there. I opened the door and was hit with the stale air of a house that hasn’t been open in years.

I finally walked in and went around opening all the windows before I really looked around. Everything still looked the same. The whole house was pretty open, and you could see the kitchen from the living room. The beams that separated the rooms made the house look rustic. Well, that and floral couches that had probably been there since the 70’s along with the chicken plates and other décor that adorned the walls. I laughed at my grandmothers love of chickens and let all the memories flood my brain. I went out the side door that was connected to the kitchen and grabbed some wood so I could build a fire in the stone fireplace. Thankfully, I had called the power company last night from the hotel and was able to get the power turned back on. Once the stale air was finally out of the house, I shut all the windows. I was about to walk out the door when a white piece of paper caught my eye.

I wiped the dust off of it and began reading it. “Bex, I hope that this letter finds you well. I know my time will be here soon. Me and your grandfather love you with all of our hearts. Make the house yours. We also left a car with Linda; we didn’t know if you would be here when you turned 18 or a little later. I’m sure your parents threw a bit of a fit when you wanted to move here. I can see your dads scrunched up face now. They just didn’t like the small-town culture, but I know you will fit in perfectly. You always loved it here as a kid, and I’m sure you will as an adult too my sweet, beautiful, caring girl. Me and your grandfather were and always will be so proud of you. The house will be paid for with a trust. There should be enough money in there for the next 20 years. We love you, sweetheart, and will always be with you. Love forever and always, your grammy and your heavenly papa.” I felt my tears burn the back of my eyes and hugged the note that was written in my grandmothers neat handwriting to my chest. I tacked the note back up. She and my grandfather died a year before my parents. I never knew what they died from, though my dad was always too upset to talk about it when I asked. Linda had been my grandma’s best friend for as long as I can remember she was like a second grandma to me and a second mom to my father. I walked to the pathway that led to Linda’s. It was only about a 5 minute walk through part of the woods that surrounded the houses. Her house looked much like I remembered my grandparents. The lawn was beautifully manicured. It had lavender, daisies, and roses that led up the walkway.

I got up to the door that had a carving of a wolf on it and lifted the heavy knocker to knock. A plump woman with long grey hair opened the door. Her cheeks were rosy red, and her grey eyes took me in before she seemed to realize who I was. “Oh my Bex!” She threw her arms around me. “Linda.” I breathed out as I hugged her back. “Honey are you okay? What happened?” she asked as she pulled back to look at me. I shifted uncomfortable. “You should see the other guy.” I laughed lightly, trying to hide how uncomfortable I really was. “My dear sweet girl.” She let it go, but her eyes were taking in every injury. The red in my eyes made the blue look even more electric. I knew I still looked bad, but the way she looked me up and down with the look of sympathy made me kick myself for not putting on some makeup. “When did you get into town?” she questioned as she waved me into her newly renovated house. The layout was just like my grandma’s but hers had new appliances in the kitchen and black leather couches that sat in front of the tv that was mounted above the fireplace. “I just got in town. I had to stay the night at the hotel next to the airport last night, though.” I smiled at her and felt my lip crack a bit. “I’m sorry Linda, but my grandma left me a note telling me that you had a car here. I have some things in town I need to get done.” I got out quickly said before she said anything about my lip.

“Of course! How about you come by around 5 and I will make dinner for you.” She smiled, and I nodded as she handed me the keys. I hugged her goodbye and made my way to the car. I pulled the dust cover off the car, and there sat my grandfather’s black 1968 corvette. My jaw dropped. I loved this car, and Linda had taken such good care of it! I jumped in and started it listening to the engine and thinking about all the times me and my grandfather had taken rides in the countryside. I finally pulled out and had to remind myself to drive on the opposite side of the road. Rose had taught me and Valarie how to drive, just part of her lessons that I never got to thank her for. I went to the bank and got everything all squared away, but they did say it would take up to 2 weeks to get the money in the account.

I stopped by the grocery store and got all the food I would need for a month. When I actually looked at it, though, it seemed pathetic, and I made a promise to myself to start eating regularly. I was about to check out when I heard someone call my mother’s name. “Mary?” A dark-haired woman asked. So much for flying under the radar. “Excuse me?” I asked as I turned around. “Oh my mistake dear you look so much like someone I used to know. Though you don’t have her eyes.” She said thoughtfully. “I have my fathers. I’m Bexley.” I said lightly and stuck out my hand. “Cathrine.” She smiled back at me. “Are you’re parents here dear? I would love to say hi! I haven’t talked to them since they moved to America.” She looked around. “No unfortunately they died in a car accident 4 years ago.” I looked away from her. “I’m so sorry.” she said with sorrowful eyes. We said goodbye, and as I walked to the car, I got the feeling of being watched and started to feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I loaded my groceries into the trunk in a hurry and got back in the car before heading home. Once I was there, I put everything away, turned on the burned phone I bought, and started cleaning. I grabbed the broom that my grandma had since before I was born and started to clean. I found an old country CD that belonged to my grandma and cranked the music and danced around as I cleaned just feeling free finally for the first time in years. About an hour and 2 CDs later, there was a knock on the door.

I leaned the broom against the wall and looked through the peep hole of the door. There was a large man with black hair that went past his ears. His hazel eyes seemed to be glazed over at first. I quietly walked over to the fireplace and grabbed the fire poker. I took a steadying breath and slowly opened up the door, placing the fire poker behind the door, so it was hidden from him. “Hello, can I help you?” I kept my voice as calm as possible. “Hello, my name is Shane. I’m one of your new neighbors. Word travels fast around here, so I thought that I would come and introduce myself.” He said in his thick accent and had an easy smile on his face. With the door open, I was able to get a better look at him. He had tanned skin and a strong jaw his nose was crooked like he had broken it and didn’t set it in time. He was handsome, but compared to those massive triplets I had seen, he just looked average. Why was I thinking of the triplets? “Good to meet you. I’m Bexley.” I smiled at him even though my heart was pounding in my chest. I felt my lip crack fully open as I smiled at him. “Are you alright? You look like you’ve been in a hell of a fight.” He said as I felt blood start to drip from my lip. “You should see the other guy.” I said the same corny joke that I told Linda as I wiped the blood off my face. “Well I guess I’ll be seeing you around. If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.” He gave me a small wave, and I watched him walk away. I quickly shut the door and locked it, taking a deep breath. I dropped the fire poker on the floor, causing a loud bang, making me jump. I didn’t realize how badly I was shaking until I sat on the couch to catch my breath. After I cleaned up my face and put some makeup on, I went to Linda’s.