I can hear his pain as he calls for me. My thoughts go to our children. My girls need me.
I push forward faster, knowing we need to get out of here if I’m going to get back to them. My chest and lungs are burning but I keep moving with Sim.
Sim tightens her hold around my waist and steps a bit faster as she carries the brunt of my weight. As we get through the smoke and push out of the front door, I’m semi-relieved.
With each step, I breathe a little easier. Right when I lock eyes with Cole and we clear the burning pub, an explosion goes off behind us. My body is propelled in the air.
I feel the moment Cole wraps his big body around us to shield us from the blast. That’s the last thing I’m conscious of.
CHAPTER 47
All My Love
Deja
Four months later …
“DJ, will ya come on, love?”Cole groans from the other side of the door.
“Hold on, will ya? I’m coming.”
I grumble under my breath as I look myself over in the mirror. We’re in Ireland, so I’m living out of a suitcase. I’m not really equipped for getting ready for a date like I would be at home.
Cole felt we needed to get away for a bit. Honestly, I can’t say I disagreed. Waking in the hospital was scary, but I was happy to have my friends and family surrounding me.
Cole almost never leaves my side these days. When I told him I thought the attacker knew me, he was livid. The servers for the cameras were on site, so the footage burned with the pub.
That hasn’t stopped Cole from trying to find out who was behind it. I’ve heard murmuring around everyone that it had something to do with some Russians or something. Cole won’t talk to me about it.
He’s been more Brooklyn than Cole over the last few months. Which is why I haven’t been able to stop smiling since this morning. Cole woke me with breakfast in bed.
He had the girls strapped to his chest and back while carrying a tray of French toast, bacon, and freshly squeezed orange juice. It was so good.
Watching Cole feed the girls while I ate was icing on the cake. He’s such a good father. I know we hadn’t planned the girls, but I wouldn’t want to change anything that has happened that has brought them into my life. With each day, I fall more in love with them and their father.
“DJ, baby. Come on. We need to go,” Cole says with impatience.
I sigh and shake my head. I don’t know why he’s in such a hurry. Everything in Ireland bows to him and his will. There isn’t a restaurant that wouldn’t change everything to accommodate us. Besides, he didn’t give me much notice.
I roll my eyes at the jeans and crop top I had to settle for. The heels are cute, so there’s that. Grabbing my purse, I go to leave.
I step out and find Cassie Black holding one baby as Laoise McGowan holds the other. Cole didn’t want to stay in the O’Brien manor on this visit. When Cassie heard we were here during her visit, she offered to have us come to the McGowan estate.
Once Graham and Malcolm called Cole to see if he planned to stay with their gran, he gave in. I have to say, I don’t mind. I love Cass and Laoise is a hoot.
“Are ye guys sure ye be okay to babysit?” I ask for the millionth time.
“Aye, lass, between the two of us, we’ve enough babes for our own softball team. Ye get out of here and show yer lad some love,” Laoise says with a smile.
“Aye, she does not tell a fib, she doesn’t. Seven lads hell-bent on outdoing me and Joe. We can handle these wee angels. Go on,” Cass adds.
I go over to kiss each of the girls. They are so quiet and well-behaved. They took to Laoise and Cass right away.
“DJ,” Cole groans.
“What is it with ya? Why are ya rushing me?”
He throws his arms up in the air. “We have shit to do. I don’t want to be late. Can ya bring yer pretty ass on?”
