Hoyt Thorne arrived within the hour.
He was an imposing figure. Standing roughly six feet tall, he was built like an American football linebacker. His black scowl was mirrored by his daughter, and that’s where the resemblance ended. Opposite to Piper’s coloring, Hoyt was light blond with eyes the color of pale green jade.
“Who’s he? Another vermin like the last one?” Hoyt growled. “What’s he gotten you into?”
“Dad!” Scarlet with outrage, Piper stepped protectively in front of Cian. “It’s not like that. The O’Malleys own this inn.”
After a closer look, Cian decided Piper had indeed inherited Hoyt’s stubborn jaw, and it was jutting out in her pique. He sidestepped her and held out a hand to her father. “Cian O’Malley, and this is my sister Bridget.”
“O’Malley? As in the Unlucky O’Malleys?”
“Dad!”
“What? I was just dragged into the middle of a gol-dern mess, girl. You think I don’t need to know all the players?”
The emphasis was on the last word, and Cian didn’t miss Hoyt’s meaning. Instead of anger, he was highly amused by the dig. “Yeah. We’ve been considered unlucky since a thieving O’Connor stole something my family was tasked with protecting.”
Hoyt grunted and sized him up before turning back to his daughter. “Gather your things. I’m taking you home.”
“No.”
“Pip, it’s not open for debate. Your ma’s worried.”
Legs braced shoulder-width apart, Piper crossed her arms and lifted her determined chin a notch higher. “Dad, we have no way of knowing who the enemy is or what they’re after. I can’t leave Cian and Bridget unprotected.”
Cian would swear he saw pride reflected in her father’s eyes, but Hoyt quickly shuttered any emotion. “Fine. I’ll stay. You go. I won’t let anything happen to your friends.”
Piper gave away her panicked thoughts the instant her gaze locked on Cian.
He gave a small shake of his head, but Hoyt was too observant.
“Not like that, huh? Crap on a cracker, Pip. An O’Malley? Really?”
Cian’s ire rose. “And what’s wrong with my family?”
“You’re cursed, boy. She’ll feel the brunt of it right along with you. She’s already got a target on her back because of it, if I’m not mistaken.” Hoyt’s scathing look rankled.
The blood rushed to Cian’s head and rushed back out. He felt lightheaded.
“Dad, stop it. You’re being mean.”
“No, Pip. I’m being truthful. He’s got no magic to protect you the way you need protecting.”
Piper’s indignation crackled in the air around them, and she balled her fist on her hips as she confronted her father. “It’s not his place to protect me. Even if we were to form a relationship, which we aren’t because he doesn’t… he…” Her hands dropped to her sides, and she looked like she was about to cry. “It’s not his place,” she finally managed.
Unable to bear another second of her upset, Cian put an arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his chest. One of her hot tears ran down his neck and into the V of his t-shirt. “I’d protect you with my last breath, darlin’. You need to know that,” he told her softly.
She nodded and sniffled at the same time.
He glared at Hoyt, and when Piper’s father shot him a sly smile, Cian’s jaw became unhinged and about dropped to his chest.
Piper must’ve felt his sudden startled movement because she shifted to look at him. “What is it?”
He cupped the back of her head and studied every inch of her anxious but still lovely face. “Nothing,” he told her softly.
Hoyt shifted closer and placed a hand on Piper’s upper back. “I’m sorry, Pip. Your old man can be a bit of a butthole sometimes.” He opened his arms and, after a slight hesitation, Piper abandoned Cian for her father’s embrace.
He felt bereft.
Once again, Hoyt smiled at him, this time with an air of knowing, followed by a hint of compassion.
“It must be morning on your side of the pond,” Bridget said, adding a tight conciliatory smile. “How about I warm up a plate of food and fill your belly to full? I’ll provide a pot of coffee to wash it down.”
“I reckon I’d like that, ma’am. Thank you.”
If Hoyt had had a hat, he would’ve tipped it. Cian had traveled to America enough to differentiate between regions, and Hoyt Thorne’s speech and mannerisms screamed Southern gentleman. Other than knowing the guy was Piper’s father and she was somehow a cousin to Alastair, Cian wasn’t certain how they were all related. One day soon he’d have Ryker clear it up or provide a cheat sheet since that family tree seemed to have bore a lot of fruit.
After Bridget left, only Cian and Piper remained with Hoyt. Cian was at a loss for words, which had never happened to him since the day he’d started speaking. Uncomfortable under the assessing stare from those eerie jade eyes, he decided Piper was safe enough with her father for the moment.
“I need to see to the pub.”
He didn’t miss her disbelieving look or Hoyt’s wicked glee.
Leaning in, Cian placed his mouth next to the shell of Piper’s ear. “The bravest soldier knows when to retreat, darlin’.”
She snorted but didn’t argue, and he was charmed by her all over again. After depositing an affectionate kiss on her cheek, Cian departed as fast as his legs could carry him.
Piper barely smothered her laugh at Cian’s ridiculous comment as she watched his “retreat.”
“I like him.”
With a long-suffering sigh, she faced her father. “Me, too.”
“I suspect your feelings are a lot stronger than mine,” Hoyt said with a chuckle.
“Not that I’m ready to admit.”
“Has Alastair checked him out yet?”
“The morning Cian played tour guide and then proceeded to throw a man off a cliff.”
Her dad’s brows shot up, and he cast another look at the empty doorway. “Huh. What was my wily cousin’s opinion?”
“Same as yours, I imagine, or I’d have to fight tooth and nail to stay here,” she said dryly.
“Not true. We decided long ago to give the next generation free rein.” He drew her in for a hug. “But you can’t expect us not to worry about you, Pip. And we might put the fear of the gods into the man you’ve chosen, if only to remind him who and what he’s dealing with should he treat you poorly.”
She smiled as she wrapped her arms around her father and squeezed. “I love you, Dad.” Leaning back to give him a mock glare, she said, “But stay out of my relationships. I’ll make my own mistakes, thank you very much.”
“And is Cian O’Malley a mistake?”
“Not if he’s able to love me.” She shrugged. “Maybe even if he’s not able. He’s charming and makes me laugh. Probably what I need after the last fiasco.”
“Unwise to dabble in an affair. You’re halfway in love with him, Pip. I can see it in the way you look at him.”
“That’s my secret to hold and my decision to make, okay?”
“He knows you care,” Hoyt said gently, giving her a final squeeze then releasing her.
Her heart contracted. “You’ve always said I’m an open book. I guess you’re right.”
He laughed. “I usually am.”
“Pfft. Keep telling yourself that, old man.”
“I imagine our hostess has finished preparing a meal for me. How about we go into the kitchen and you can fill me in on what’s happened so far?”
“I’m a little tired. Do you mind if I take a nap?”
“Actually, I do, Pip.” He gave her a regretful look. “You’re not going to be out of my sight until we find out who has it in for you.”
“Dad, I’ll be fine now.”
“Just let me grab the plate, and I’ll see you safely to your room. Humor your old papa, okay?”
With a tired smile, she nodded.
“Want me to call Liz to sit with you instead?”
“No. You keep guard while I nap. You can conjure your favorite book on farming or something equally as boring.”
“There’s nothing boring about farming, girl! You take that back,” Hoyt scolded with a laugh.
Arm in arm, they strolled into the kitchen. Wordlessly, Bridget removed the plate from the oven and placed it on the counter. With a sharp nod and shooing motion, she sent them on their way.
As Piper snuggled down into the comforter under her father’s watchful eye, she smiled sleepily. It was nice having him around. He’d destroy anyone or anything to keep her safe without a second thought, and for this reason, she was able to rest without worry. Knowing she was cared for by family—even if she couldn’t seem to find a man willing to risk his heart—made her feel that much more secure and, in some ways, content. Hoyt would be an incredible grandpa to her future child.
As Hoyt perched on the edge of the bed and gazed down at his daughter’s peaceful expression, he sighed. He knew she’d never admit it before she was ready, but she’d fallen to the Thorne curse. They were all destined to only have one great love in life, regardless of the type of character their mate turned out to be. Hoyt had seen enough relationship disasters as a result of it.
Piper was in love with the Irishman. The gobsmacked expression was one he was familiar with. He’d witnessed it many times on those related to them. More than most, his big-hearted daughter had a difficult time concealing her feelings from those around her.
“Oh, Pip,” he whispered. “I’d have chosen anyone else for you than any of the men you seem to prefer.”
As if she’d heard him, Piper frowned.
With his thumb, Hoyt lightly stroked the spot between her furrowed brows, just as he had when she was a small child. His little Pip had always been an over thinker.
“Forget the troubles of the day. Let the sun shine on the hay, whenever wild little Pip goes out to play,” he crooned in a low voice.
Instantly, her forehead smoothed and a soft smile curled her lips. “I love you, Dad,” she murmured.
“I thought you were sleeping,” he said, equally as quiet.
“Just about.”
“Well, doze off already. Your old man is here to kick bad-guy butt if he bothers you.”
She giggled as he intended.
“I love you, too, my little Pip.”
“Not so little anymore, Dad.”
“You’ll always be my little girl. No amount of time or growing up will change that.”
Her drowsy smile widened, and she peeked up at him. “I hope not. You’re the best father a girl could have.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
“It’s why I want a baby,” she said on a shuddering breath. “I want to shower her with love like you and mom did to me. Snuggle her in my lap and patiently read her favorite book for the hundredth time in a row. Be there to kiss her boo-boos and bandage her scraped knees.” Piper toyed with his big, capable hands as she had since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. “Be her compass in a crazy world.”
A wave of tenderness washed over Hoyt. A parent always hoped they raise their children right. Seems he did. “And you want your girl’s pa to be Cian O’Malley?” he asked gently.
“I think I do,” Piper confessed. “But I’m barking up the wrong tree, as you’d say. He doesn’t want a relationship, Dad.”
“The man I saw downstairs cares, Pip. He may not love you this soon, but he’s on his way. Perhaps if you give him time to come to terms with hanging up his roaming ways, he might come around.”
“I don’t think he will.” She looked uncertain, as if she had the urge to say more, but she remained silent.
“Might as well spit out what you’re chewing on, girl. I can see it’s something right important.”
Piper scrunched up her face, then spoke in one rushed breath. “I thought about asking him to father my baby, the Goddess willing.”
Because he’d sort of expected she’d say something along those lines, Hoyt didn’t react as an outraged father might. “Couldn’t hurt to ask, I suppose, but don’t be disappointed if he says no. For all his so-called roguish ways, Cian strikes me as an old-fashioned guy. You’ve only to remove the rose-colored glasses you view him with to see it, Pip.”
She frowned her question, and Hoyt was exasperated that the younger generations didn’t seem to have the insight into the human mind that his generation did.
“He’s the type of man who, once he told you he’d protect you with his last breath, would do just that. Only took me less than a New York minute to sum up that boy. He’s all about his family and doing what’s right.” It pained Hoyt to admit it, but he said, “Cian’s one of the good ones, Pip.”
“I think my heart already knows that, Dad. It’s like the clouds parted and a beam of sunshine lit him up the second I met him.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly how it was the moment I was introduced to your mother. Prettiest gal I ever did see. Still is, and you look just like her.” Leaning down, he kissed Piper’s forehead. Although he knew some men’s hearts remained frozen against love and Hoyt hated to give her hope where it shouldn’t exist, he couldn’t resist saying, “Give your young man time, okay? He may surprise you.”