Aideen (Slater Brothers) (18 page)

I turned my head and looked out the window of the car, willing the tears in my eyes not to fall. I didn’t want to cry, I was sick of crying.

“I’ve told you I’m takin’ care of some things. That’s all you need to know.”

I closed my eyes, gutted he still wouldn’t share his secrets with me.

“I don’t believe you, Ryder.”

“Then I don’t know what to tell you, Branna.”

“How about the truth for once?” I countered. “Just tell me where you go and what you do.”

His hands tightened around the steering wheel as we approached our street.

“I can’t tell you, you wouldn’t understand.”

I looked down to my thighs and swallowed.

“I can’t understand if you don’t help me to.”

Ryder grunted as he pulled into the car parking space in front of our house, putting the car in park. “This is on me, okay? It’s nothing for you to worry about, and you
will
worry if I tell you, and I don’t want that to happen. We’re all under a lot of pressure with Big Phil still out there; my business doesn’t need me added to that.”

He got out of the car, closed the door and walked up the pathway and into our house, leaving me on my own with my thoughts.

“I can’t do this anymore,” I said aloud, forcing myself to hear the words.

We couldn’t continue on the path we were on. Something had to change, and in that moment I knew exactly what I had to do to start the healing process for the many wounds that had been cut open and exposed over the last few years.

I had to make a change. I had to separate myself from the very being that wounded me so … even if he didn’t mean to.

I squeezed my eyes shut as pain struck. The remaining fragments of my willowed heart shattered into a million pieces as I made a life changing decision. A decision that would affect not only me, but my family and friends, too.

I reached out and blindingly gripped onto the dashboard of the car to stop myself from collapsing as my mind whispered what I needed to do to be free.

I had to break up with Ryder.

Don’t cry
.

I love reaching the acknowledgments section of a novel or novella; it means I’ve just added a new notch to my book belt.

Aideen
is the sixth book in my
Slater Brothers
series, and that puts me at the halfway mark in this insane journey between the brothers and their ladies.

That. Is. Insane.

I say this after every book I write, but I honestly can’t wrap my head around how far I’ve come with this series, and it is
still
going strong. I’m so blessed, and so very thankful to all those who make it possible.

My daughter, I love you more than humanly possible. You are my life. All of what I do and continue to do, I do for you. I love you to Neptune and back.

My PA—Jill. You’re a superstar, woman, and I love you dearly.

Yessi, I don’t know where to start with you. You’re always there for me, and you continue to be one of the few people who I truly consider are pure light. Love you, bitch.

My Mary, I love everything about you. You have quickly become one of my favourite people. You. Are. Brilliant.

Jen—the main woman behind JaVa Editing. Thank you so much for revamping editing for me. You completely put me at ease during the editing process on
Aideen
. Your comments and random messages cracked me up, and your input was on point. I can’t wait to work with you again.

Nicola Rhead & KMS Freelance Editing, thank you both for proofreading
Aideen
. I truly appreciate it.

L.J. Anderson—the master behind Mayhem Cover Creations, thank you for creating yet
another
cover that I am in love with.

Julie—the boss behind JT Formatting, thank you for prettifying
Aideen
.

Last, but never least, my readers. I don’t know where I would be without all of you, but I know I definitely wouldn’t be releasing my sixth book in the series if it weren’t for each and every one of you. Thank you for everything. You continue to make my dreams possible.

<3

L.A. Casey is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who juggles her time with her mini-me and writing. She was born, raised and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. She enjoys chatting with her readers, who love her humour and Irish accent as much as her books.

Casey’s first book
Dominic
, was independently published in 2014 and became an instant success on Amazon. Now a hybrid author, she is both traditionally and independently published and is represented by Mark Gottlieb from Trident Media Group.

To read more about this author,

visit her website at www.lacaseyauthor.com

OTHER TITLES

FROZEN

SLATER BROTHERS SERIES:

DOMINIC

BRONAGH

ALEC

KEELA

KANE