Saving a Legend(60)

He’d wasted two years in prison, missing these exact moments together, missing these meals, and all because he had liked the allure of nonregulation street fighting. All because he’d liked making up his own rules, and still breaking them. The women, the drugs, the violence that came along with the underground sport, were intoxicating and fun. But they were nothing compared to what he had given up: two years with people who loved him, with people who accepted him for who he was.

He’d traded in love and family for a tiny cell and iron bars.

Shaking his head, he took a bite from his roll and vowed to himself that he was never going to take love for granted. In fact, he was going to surround himself with it as much as possible.

Starting with Fiona.

“Kieran, you look like you’re lost in another world.” Clare smiled at him from across the table.

“Oh, sorry, guess I was. What’s new with you, Clare?” he asked.

Clare shrugged and stabbed a piece of broccoli on her plate with her fork. “Nothing, we’re getting ready for the clinic grand opening next week. You’ll be there, right?”



He nodded, cutting off a slice of butter from the butter dish and spreading it over his roll. “Yeah, and then I’ll be looking for a job the next day since the construction will be done.”

“What about working at Legends?” she said, lowering her voice to keep his father from overhearing, but Seamus was deep in conversation with Dee and not paying attention to them anyway.

Kieran wasn’t sure that door was open for him anymore. His father still didn’t trust him, and rightfully so.

“Maybe…I don’t know. Is the grand opening going to be black tie?” he asked, changing the subject and taking a bite of the buttery roll.

“Yep, it’s an official gala. There will be press and catering and all kinds of fancy things like that. Rory wanted to go all out.” Clare squeezed his brother’s hand, speaking in a normal volume once more, before popping another piece of broccoli into her mouth.

Rory returned her smile with such adoration, Kieran could feel it radiating between them. Before Kieran had gone to prison, Rory had been at the top of his career as a fighter, happier than he’d ever seen him but always alone. Then he’d had his accident and his career had ended, all while Kieran was behind bars. From what he’d heard from family members, it had gotten pretty ugly. Not even the best times in their lives—before prison and broken knees—compared with the expression on his brother’s face right now, though.

Kieran found himself envying the connection between Rory and Clare, watching the soft gazes pass between them and their affectionate touches, and he hoped Fiona would one day open up enough to let them enjoy the same type of connection.



“So what happens after the gala? You’ll run the place as a vet?” Kieran asked, swallowing the last of his roll.

“Not yet. Dr. Prentiss will be the main vet, and I’ll be working alongside him as I learn. I finish my bachelor’s degree this summer. Thankfully, it didn’t take me as long as most since I had some credits already and was able to take an expedited program. Then I’ll start at a vet program in the fall outside of the city—definitely not looking forward to that commute!” She was animated as she talked about her future. “I won’t be official for a few more years, but I can’t wait.”

He envied her excitement. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He’d been on the path to be a fighter, but he had never found it all that fulfilling. He enjoyed the action itself, but the championships, the matches, the titles—all of those things seemed pointless. Just racking up wins to be the best? He didn’t really want that. He wanted something more, work that was centered on something other than himself.

“That’s amazing, Clare,” he complimented her as he scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes from his plate and put it in his mouth.

“She’s definitely amazing.” Rory smiled with pride. “What about you, Kieran? What do you want to do now that the clinic construction is almost finished?”

Clare glanced at him, knowing he’d just said he was looking for a new job and hadn’t found his foothold yet. Kieran noticed Kane turn toward them as well, interested in his answer, he assumed.

“I’m not sure yet.” He shrugged, keeping his eyes down. “I’m still working at the youth center in the afternoons, so maybe I’ll do something with kids.”



“There are a lot of options with kids out there. You could do something at Legends,” Kane contributed, pointing a fork at him.