Page 76 of Lawless Sinners

Harrington Estate

My stomach tightens, and I flip it over to the handwritten word on the back.

Condolences.

The air changes in my lungs.

The F is for Fury.

I swallow the lump in my throat and shove the card inside the bag, hiding the evidence before anyone walks in.

A heart for the horse my da gave me.

A letter for the name I had to let go.

And from Fionn Harrington, of all people.

My phone rings from inside my pocket, and I nearly jump out of my skin.

I dig it out, check the caller ID, and press it to my ear. “Hey.”

“Hey, girl,” Eilish says. “I’m so sorry about leaving you alone the other night. Mother threw wedding plans and seating arrangements at me for hours. How are you holding up?”

“I’ve been better,” I reply. “You?”

“Same.” I stare at the necklace as she continues, “I asked the stud farrier to make a little horse from one of Fury’s old shoes for the grave.”

The necklace blurs, and I blink back the sting of tears threatening to fall. “Thanks.”

“When it’s ready, we’ll put it on his grave together. Yeah?”

I nod, the first attempt at an answer catches behind my teeth. I swallow and try again. “Yeah.”

“So…” she begins. “Mother has organized a birthday party for me at the house this weekend. It's the last thing I want, especially when you’re going through a hard time with losing Fury but––”

My eyes close for a moment. “Eilish⁠—”

“It’s okay… I can’t not invite you though. You’re my bestie.”

I drag a hand down my face and stare at the courier bag where the Harrington card is hidden. She’s marrying Fionn. Not me. I’ve no right to put his gift around my neck.

“It’s not a good idea for me to be around Fionn,” I mutter.

“I know it’s hard for you, especially when you two keep going for each other's throats.” Her voice tightens. “In typical Mara fashion, she’s turning my birthday into another social pantomime, and I’ll struggle to get through it without you, but I’ll understand if you can’t face it.”

“Has he kissed ya, Eilish?” I ask, thumbing the pendants.

“Fionn… No,” her voice drops. “Why would he?”

“The Harringtons like to keep up public appearances. I just thought he’d test his limits.”

For one fleeting second, I want to tell her.

About the necklace and the card. The fact that Fionn sent me black diamonds because my horse died.

But Eilish thinks I hate him.

She probably thinks that hatred is simple.