Page 94 of Tangled Control

“Sorry,” Catriona mumbles, her cheeks turning dark pink.

“Don’t be, I truly enjoyed your exchange.” Dad chuckles and takes a bite of his toast.

“We’ll discuss this more later,” I threaten and grip Catriona’s thigh under the table.

“Anyone for a pancake?” Mum is grinning like a fool as she offers the plate.

Catriona seems very eager to change the subject, as she exclaims, “Oh, are these granny Róisín’s?”

“You know granny Róisín’s pancakes?” Knox asks and runs his hand over his beard.

Catriona turns to me, desperate for some help out of the mud she’s planted both feet in. I just gaze back at her, challenging her to dig her own way out.

It works.

“Yes, Rian made them for me a couple of weeks ago.” Four surprised sets of eyes zoom in on her, while she directs a defiant glare in my direction.

“I’m impressed, Rian,” Mum mumbles and shares a look with Dad.

I can’t help the smile and my thumb makes small circles on Catriona’s skin.

“What have you done to my brother?” Rosie’s eyes dance in humour. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you like this, Rian.”

I furrow my brows, but her words ring true. Despite my outburst over Catriona’s potential move, I’m surprisingly relaxed. When’s the last time I was this comfortable around my parents? All those Sunday lunches were horrible not only because of my father’s preaching, but also because I was so on edge. Broody. Depressed.

“You’re right, Rosie,” Knox adds. There’s a smile hidden in that beard of his. “I should warn you, Catriona, Rian is normally a grumpy bollox.”

“Ach, feck off.” I scowl while internally I cheer at this subtle sign of my brother warming towards my girl.

“Language, Knox. Rian.” Mum sighs, exasperated. “I’m sorry, Catriona. These men don’t know how to behave. Anyway. So, where are you from?”

“I’m, um.” Catriona tenses. “I’m from Finglas.”

“Oh. Finglas.”

Mum seems lost for a comeback question. That area of Dublin comes with a reputation. Rosie helps her out. “Do you have a big family? Many brothers and sisters?”

“Eh, no. It’s only ever been my mum and I.”

“Sorry to sound prejudiced,” Knox says, tilting his head to the side, “but growing up with a single mum in Finglas can’t have been easy.”

Fuck. All the questions that I know Catriona struggles with. I drape my arm over her shoulders and give her what I hope is an encouraging smile.

“I guess being a single mum can be tough anywhere, but yes. Yes, it was. Nothing was given to me. I’ve always had to work hard. I believe that’s the reason why your father has invested in me in the KSS.”

“Yes.” Dad nods. “Your hard work and commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Catriona nibbles on her bottom lip, but when she turns to Dad, there’s a sharpness to her chin. “A-although I recently learned that I was passed on the chance of a promotion for reasons I’m not…content with. A girl fromFinglascould have done well with every opportunity she gets.”

Fuck she’s tough. My chest puffs out in admiration and my cock swells in a way it should never do with family around.

“Um, eh, yes.” Dad squirms under her unyielding gaze. He drums his fingers on the table. “There were some strategic decisions that had to be made. Regretfully.”

“I’ve told Rian that I would have appreciated the company being straight with me instead of making me doubt my ability to do my job.”

Rosie mouths ‘wow’ at me from across the table, and I repress the urge to laugh at the way Dad squirms in his seat.

“Yes, I see your point, Catriona. I see your point. We, um, we probably could have handled it differently. You’re a great asset to the company and I would hope you have a long career with us.” Dad clears his throat and fixes his gaze on me. “And with this woman by your side, son, I’ve got a no doubt you’ll bring the company to new heights.”