A beat of silence, then Eoin said coldly, “Give me a few minutes, and I will call you right back.”
He hung up before I could object. “FUCK!” I screamed as I raced across town, disregarding the speed limit and likely breaking several other laws. I was zoned out, only coming to my senses as I neared the back bumper of a car in front of me. I swerved, missing it by inches, then I sped up and passed in the other lane, the motor roaring as my foot bore down on the gas pedal.
My phone rang through the car speakers and I the answer button on the steering wheel without looking at the caller id.
“Do you know where she is?” I barked out, and the voice on the other end of the phone brought me momentary relief.
“Not yet, boss, but we think we know where she might have gone. We have three locations to cover, but with only Orin and me going, it’ll be at least twenty more minutes to cover all three,” Ronan said hurriedly.
“What locations?”
“I’m going to The Junction, and Orin is headed to the estate to see if she went home—”
“I’ll head to the lake,” I said, cutting him off and hanging up. I suddenly had this strong feeling that she’d be there. It was one of her favorite places, situated just on the outskirts of town and the perfect spot for stargazing.
I pressed the pedal down further, seeing nothing but a blur until I came to a slight turn-off in the middle of a bend in the road that anyone would miss unless they knew where to look. I pulled about a quarter mile in, so no one could see my car.
I ran the next mile down the gravel drive, slowing enough to catch my breath and walk up to the edge of the lake.
There she was.
Sitting on the edge of the pier.
Alone.
The breath left my body in a shuddering wave as relief flooded my system. I texted Orin, letting him know where she was. I pulled the lawn chair out of the weather-safe box I had hidden in the tall grass. This wasn’t the first time I sat here, and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. I knew she couldn’t see me from here. The distance was too great and the darkness too consuming.
She sat with her hands braced on either side of her body, elbows locked, leaning over to peer into the water where her toes just barelyreached, causing tiny ripples to form as they danced along the surface. Meanwhile, I sat in this uncomfortable chair with my elbows on my knees, hands clasped together, thumbs together pressing on my lips as I watched her.
The things I would give to be able to wrap my arms around her right now.
After an hour of sitting in the same spot unmoving, I saw headlights out of the corner of my vision.
Orin was here, but Maeve never turned to look, as though she knew it was him. He walked up behind her and said something as he reached out his hand for her, pulling her onto her feet. He already had her shoes in his hand as he turned for the SUV, still running at the end of the pier.
And just like that, she was out of sight again. I sat still, peering through the darkness to the east, toward an old Victorian home situated just through a thick growth of trees. I’d been eyeing it for a while now. If I could buy it, this spot would officially be mine. Ours.
Fuck. I sighed and shook my head, thinking that it was time to let that dream go. After all, Maeve and I were… nothing. Strangers. And I was just some shadowed watchman, hovering in the distance, wishing I could be by her side.
Maeve and I move to the center of the showroom, directly in front of the door where Nessa will enter. Orin already had Al step out and turn off the cameras just in case things get… messy. I sit on a white couch that looks more comfortable than it actually is, and Maeve sits on the arm next to me.
“If you want her removed at any point, just say the word, and she’s gone,” I assure her as she stares down the tall oak doors. Her face is hard, and her eyes have an edge to them.
It’s fucking hot. I briefly consider telling them to hold off and taking Maeve right here on the chaise lounge. I swallow hard and adjust myself.
Not the time or place.
Maeve’s on edge. The tension is palpable, as if the air is slowly getting thicker the closer Nessa gets. Her spine is straight, her muscles are tight
Suddenly, I hear the sound of heels clicking on tile, and I smile to myself, leaning back into the couch. This is Maeve's moment. I’d already had mine.
20 Years Old
Lightning flashed, and a peal of thunder boomed, causing multiple girls to scream. I hated her being out in weather like this. She should be at home, like she usually is. Safe in her apartment, reading. I would knowwhere she was. I would know she was safe. Cell service was garbage out here, let alone when the weather was this violent.
Why did she put herself through this? But I knew. It was Nessa. Nessa and her endless bullshit. She knew what Maeve had been through, yet she still brought her to things like this. There were too many people, too many variables, and an insufficient number of exits. Luckily, I had plenty of men at my disposal who looked like they were fifth-year college students. They stayed along the perimeter of each room. Some engaged in casual conversation, while others brought their “girls” and pretended to enjoy themselves while they watched vigilantly. Each man knew what was expected of him and what the stakes were.
I was scanning the room when a small hand grabbed my bicep. I turned to see none other than the devil herself.
