Saving a Legend: A Kavanagh Legends Novel by Sarah Robinson Page A

recognized his brother’s voice behind him. “What the hell are you doing?”
    Several hands grabbed Kieran’s shoulders and pulled him back, releasing Tate from his hold. Kieran shook everyone off him. Tate choked out a few labored breaths, falling to his knees and rubbing his neck. He glared up at Kieran, unable to speak yet.
    Kieran faced Kane, Rory, and several other fighters who had surrounded them, putting both hands up in assurance that he was done. He knew he’d just taken a big risk, because if Tate were to report him, what he’d just done could be considered a parole violation. His unplanned outburst could put him back in prison, but at the moment, he didn’t care.
    “Walk away, Kieran,” Rory instructed.
    “I’m going. This caveman just needed a little lesson in manners.” Kieran headed toward the front door, knowing his brothers would ensure the issue was dropped by Tate.

    The truth was, even with the risk, he wasn’t sorry. He’d do it again.

Chapter 7
    The next day Kieran found himself frowning at the children running around the courtyard at the youth center. He’d already been there a few hours, and he hadn’t seen Shea once. Fiona hadn’t walked by the construction site this morning, either. Nora didn’t even know where they were; she had simply told him Shea hadn’t come in today.
    He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, but he felt unsettled without her around.
    “Kieran, you need to relax. You’re all tense, and several of the kids were complaining that you yelled at them during boxing practice,” Nora said as he walked into her office at the end of the day.
    “Not boxing, it’s mixed martial arts.” Nora had agreed that Kieran could teach the older kids a very light, abbreviated version of MMA, that the exercise may help them release their anger and energy in a more controlled setting. The main thing he taught, long before techniques or anything physical, was responsibility and respect for an opponent. They weren’t allowed full contact, and everything was slow and practiced, no hits. The kids seemed really open to the idea, although they were eager to advance in the sport. Nora had told him if it went well, they could figure out a way to make it part of the program.
    “Either way, what’s got you so upset today?” she asked.
    “Some of them just run their mouths and pick fights, acting like punks and bullies for no reason. I don’t like it.”
    “I get it, these kids are not easy to be around. That’s why they’re here, but even I can tell you’re a bit on edge today.”

    He liked how direct and open Nora was. He felt as if he could be himself around her and not have to censor his thoughts and words. He’d noticed that she had an innate understanding about people that made her take everything in stride, seeming to figure out easily what made people tick.
    “Yeah, maybe,” he conceded after a pause between them. “Sorry.”
    “I’m headed to O’Leary’s tonight for a pint and to watch the game. Want to join? I know drinking is probably a parole violation, but you could still have a soda and just relax. It seems like you need it.” Nora slid some files into her oversize purse. Pulling on a cardigan, she stretched her arms and then let her hair down from the bun it had been confined to.
    Kieran watched, not blind to how beautiful this woman was. For some reason, though, her looks did nothing for him. It’s not that she wasn’t his type, because a woman like Nora with a body like that…she was everyone’s type. Still, he just wasn’t interested. Twice in the last two days he’d felt that way around women. He was starting to worry something was wrong with him.
    “Yeah, that actually sounds perfect.” He hoped a night out watching the game and socializing would reassure him that he hadn’t suddenly lost his masculinity.
    “Awesome. You drive, because I’m going to drink,” she said. “Wait, can you drive with your record?”
    “My conviction had