Flynn holds up his hands. "Fine. But you're still taking her to Dublin. It's the smart thing to do."
I know he's right. Ihatethat he's right.
"We'll leave tomorrow night," I say finally. "That gives us time to prepare."
"And to tell your wife she's leaving the country?"
My jaw tightens. "Yeah. That too."
Flynn claps me on the shoulder. "Get some sleep. I'll take first watch."
I go back into Maeve's room and sink back into the chair. She's still awake—I can tell by her breathing.
"Maeve." I say her name softly, and she rolls over to face me.
"I heard."
"Are you okay with going to Dublin?"
I see her eyes widen with surprise in the dim light of the room. "Do I have a choice?"
The honest answer is no, but I don't want to say that. "I'll keep you safe there. I promise."
"You keep saying that." Her voice is soft in the darkness. "But what if you can't?"
"Then I'll die trying."
The words are out before I can stop them, and they hang in the air between us. She goes very still.
"Sean—"
"Go to sleep, Maeve." I lean my head back against the chair and close my eyes. "We've got a long day tomorrow."
She doesn't say anything else, and eventually, her breathing evens out into genuine sleep. But I stay awake, keeping watch,my mind turning over every angle, every threat, every possible way to keep her safe.
Because the alternative—losing her—isn't something I'm willing to consider.
—
Morning comes too fast.I make Maeve eat breakfast even though she protests she's not hungry, refusing to leave the table until she finally gives in and manages half her breakfast. Then I tell her to change into something she can move in.
"Why?" She's still pale, with dark circles under her eyes.
"Because we're training."
"Training?” Her eyes widen. “Sean, after last night?—"
"Especially after last night." I hold her gaze. "You need to know how to protect yourself. I won't always be there in time."
The words hurt to say, but they're true. She proved last night she can run, can follow instructions under pressure. But she needs more.
She disappears upstairs and comes back down in leggings and a t-shirt, her hair pulled into a ponytail. We head out to the range, both of us quiet. I can’t stop looking at the bandaged cut on her face, can’t stop thinking about how much worse it could have been.
I’ve gone my entire adult life without having anything that could hurt me if it was lost. I can’t let that change.
The morning is cool, mist still hanging in the air. Maeve wraps her arms around herself as we walk from the car into the range.
"First, we're going to work on your shooting," I tell her. "Then hand-to-hand."
