Irish Luck

Chapter Fifty

The whole length of the drive towards the hotel I sit between Cian and Finn clutching their hands in each of mine. I'm pretty sure by the time we pull into a parking garage I've practically cut off their circulation but neither of them have said anything about it. Instead they just both occasionally give my hand a squeeze back or stroke their thumbs against the back of my palms reassuringly.

Almost completely in sync and it's the first time that I've ever noticed them like this.

Under different circumstances I'd probably find it incredibly cute but instead right now it's the only thing that's stopped me from attempting to throw myself out of the car.

When the car comes to a stop my heart literally lurches as if it also wants to jump out of the car and hurtle away from here as fast as possible.

"We're here to send a message" Hugh says, a kind of warning to his tone. "We walk out of here tonight without anything happening" he then says and shoots a warning glare at each of his brothers until his eyes finally rest on me but they soften as they do and I'm grateful for that.

I don't really understand what Hugh's intentions are for tonight, all I know is that he intends to use it as a clear message to everyone in attendance. My presence being a part of that message to whom I expect to my father.

As I climb out of the car my legs feel incredibly weak underneath me and I stumble slightly failing to fully find my footing. Hugh is the first out to reach out, his hand going straight to my elbow to hold me up and stop me from falling flat on my face.

I expect him to move away as soon as I'm righted and more steady on my feet but instead he stays at my side, his hand moving from my elbow to the base of my spine.

The simple touch feels way more intense than I think it's intended to and as we make our way into the hotel through a service entrance it slightly takes my mind off of everything, makes everything feel just that little bit less daunting.

That is until we near the ballroom where by the sound of music and chattering everyone is clearly gathered together.

Then that's all I can focus on.

The twins and Blake step into the ball room and from where I'm standing I see heads turn as each of them stroll through with their shoulders squared and their chins tilted. Completely commanding the room. Even Cian whom usually wants to be the least noticed carries off the façade so well it's hard not to be unsettled by how quickly they can all jump into this versions of themselves.

I'm so busy watching them I startle when Hugh brings his palm back to the base of my spine.

"I need you to hold it together Anastasia" he says, a certain edge to his tone that's so cold and heartless it makes me shiver and not in a good way.

Then he's taking my hand and looping it around his arm as he leads us into to the bustling room and it's like the moment me and Hugh step into view that it all changes. Heads turn as they did with the others but they don't look away this time, instead their gazes fix on me. Mouths drop open and there's gasps as most look as if they've just seen a ghost and I guess many of them are thinking exactly that.

The chattering and general enjoyment of those in attendance quietens down almost immediately going deadly silent save for the gasp and the distinctive Russian voice of my mother.

Or well it's more of a wail.

"Moy rebenok. Moya detka" My baby, my baby girl.

Her voice is like a strangled cry and draws my attention straight to where she's now standing across the room. Her chair's abandoned and on its side from where she seems have rose so quickly. Her hand clasped over her chest and a look of utter terrified shock on her face that has me almost tripping over my own feet. The only reason I don't fully trip is because Hugh practically keeps me upright.