“If you feel anything wrong, just tap on my stomach,” he says through the comm.
“Okay,” I whisper, breathless.
Flynn shoots ahead, with Declan right behind. When he leans into a turn, our bodies move as one, my weight shifting with his, trusting him completely. The pack moves like a single organism, each rider anticipating the other. Kian slows intersections, blocking cars with his bike as we fly through without stopping.
It’s terrifying.
It’s beautiful.
It’s stupidly hot.
The Callaghans’ mansion rises through the darkness like something carved out of an old myth, lights glowing warm between the trees. The gate slides open right on time, and we glide through. Their men peel off to the left, toward the security wing, while only the Callaghans and us continue to the garage.
Flynn slows the bike, guiding it into the open doors.
Engines echo off the concrete as everyone parks in a perfectly straight line.
We step inside the mansion. Flynn kisses me, just a brush, but enough to steady me, and then follows after Declan and the others. Viviana loops her arm through mine with a soft tug.
“Come on,” she says. “Let’s get something to eat.”
We head into their enormous kitchen. Warm bread waits on the counter along with cheese, fruit, and a pitcher of fresh orange juice. Viviana sits at the wooden table, and I settle beside her, tearing off a piece of bread and pressing cheese onto it.
“I know I already told you, but I really didn’t know Flynn was going to marry you,” she says suddenly. Her voice isn’t teasing; there’s a sadness in her eyes. It’s the first time we’ve been alone since they told me who they really were. The club was too crowded, too many eyes on us. “I would’ve stopped them. I kicked Declan in the ribs when he told me.”
A laugh bursts out of me. Viviana is small, but she’s pure fire.
“I was terrified when I realised what was happening,” I admit. “But…” I smile, the shy kind that crawls up on its own. “Now it just feels… right. In a messed-up kind of way.”
Viviana nods, pulling a slice of orange from the plate. “Flynn’s a good man. He helped Declan through hell. With one of the Russians, Alek. With two Consortium members. Every time something huge went down, Flynn was there.”
She hesitates, trying to talk without saying too much.
“I don’t blame you for anything that happened,” I say. I place my hand over hers, hoping she feels the truth in it. “I lied too. I had a stalker. And honestly? If you had told me your husband was the leader of the Irish mafia? I would’ve been on the first plane out of this country.”
She laughs, and it makes the kitchen feel warmer.
“I’m happy with him, Viv,” I whisper. “I really am. He’s different… and I’ve never felt safe before him.” My eyes drop to my ring, the heavy gold that still feels surreal on my hand.
“He loves you,” she says gently. I look up. Viviana smiles. “Even Declan said he’s never seen Flynn Brady like this with anyone.”
My chest tightens. “I just wish my parents were here. Their daughter got married, and they have no idea.”
Viviana squeezes my hand. “Once this is over, we’ll throw you and Flynn a proper wedding. With your family. With everything. Trust me, I’m practically an expert in repeating weddings.”
I stare at her. “You and Declan?”
She laughs, waving her hands. “Sweetheart, if I told you how we ended up together…”
I lean in, already smiling, and when she starts talking about her father, about the deal, about Declan, my jaw drops.
“Oh my fucking God,” I whisper, completely floored.
Chapter Thirty-One
Flynn
Iwatch Autumn and Viviana through the doorway, sitting at the kitchen table, eating bread and fruit. Viviana talks with her hands, dramatic and animated. Autumn looks terrified and entertained at the same time.
