“Teach me how not to worry about my kid sister, and I won’t. You forget I used to change your diapers when you were yay high, deirfiúr bheag.”
“Ew, gross.”
She laughs, hoping her playful demeanor will lighten the mood.
But it doesn’t.
All it does is remind me that the sound of her laughter will be another thing that I will miss.
“I’m serious, Iris. I will always worry. It’s my job to.”
“Not anymore. That will be Alexi’s job now.”
The mention of her soon-to-be husband irks me to no end. Instead of carving his face like I did to his neck all those years ago, I should have killed the bastard. That way Iris wouldn’t have to be subjected to becoming his fucking wife.
“Besides, Shay doesn’t worry, and he’s my brother, too,” she adds, unaware of how I just murdered her fiancé ten different ways in my mind.
“It’s different. You and Shay are too close in age for him to feel the way I do.”
“You mean like an obsessive, over-controlling Athair? Sorry to burst your bubble, deartháir mór, but I already have a father, and he’s not one bit worried about me, just as long as this treaty goes to plan.”
“That’s not fair, Iris. Athair worries about you plenty.”
“Yeah, I know.” She lets out a long exhale, bowing her head so that her crimson curls can cover her face from my sight.
I pull her to face me again, the sliver of sadness so plainly swimming in her clear green meadows that it chisels away at me.
“You know that if he could, he would never willingly give you up. You’re his favorite leanbh.”
“I know that, too. Did you come in here to remind me how much you all love me, is that it?”
“Do you need reminding?” I cock a brow.
“No, I don’t. So quit with the heavy talk, and help me close these damn fucking bags.”
I can’t help but laugh at her sass.
“You might want to temper that mouth of yours when you reach Vegas. I’m not sure how the Russians will feel about a woman who curses like a sailor.”
“Tough shit. I’m a Kelly, for fuck’s sake. It’s in my blood, so they better get used to it.”
“I’m positive that you’ll make sure that they do.”
With my apprehension subsided somewhat, I help her close her suitcases but leave the carry-on open.
“I have something for you.”
“More pearls of wisdom?” She rolls her eyes.
“No, nothing like that. A wedding gift. Since I won’t be able to be there on your big day, I thought I should give you my gift now.”
Without another word, I hand her the small package I had hidden away inside my jacket pocket. She doesn’t complain that it’s not gift-wrapped, or that it doesn’t have a pretty bow on it. That would be too girlish for Iris anyway. She’s never been one to like frilly things, especially since my baby sister has always been a tomboy at heart.
When she opens the box, her eyes shine in utter awe at the push dagger I had custom-made for her inside the blue velvet casing. I made sure to request that the blade be small enough for Iris to easily hide in her palm, but lethal enough that she can slice any throat with it. And the pièce de résistance, the Kelly family crest embossed on the handle. If there is ever an occasion that she feels the need to use it, I want her to remember the blood that runs through her veins to embolden her resolve.
Kellys never run from a fight.
We end them.
“It’s… it’s beautiful,” she whispers, true emotion coating each word.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I more than like it. I love it!” she exclaims with glee, wrapping her arms around my waist and placing her cheek against my chest.
I hold her tightly, inhaling her free-spirit essence and committing it to memory.
Who knows when will be the next time I even see her?
Or even be able to hold her in my arms like this?
When I hear a little sniffle, the fist that has had my heart squeezed into a pulp all morning gives another painful tug. Iris isn’t the type to cry or get emotional. She’s always made sure never to show such weakness, so to see her this vulnerable, she might as well have used the damn push dagger to cut into my heart and slice it into tiny pieces.
After a few seconds, she finally pulls away, her composure once again hardened steel. I lift her chin up so I can look her in the eyes once more.
“Do you remember everything I taught you?” I ask evenly.