“What are you, Declan? Because all I know is that I love you.” I grabbed his wrists and squeezed. “It doesn’t matter what you tell me.”
He shook his head and averted his gaze to my hands clutching his wrists. “You don’t know that.”
“Then just tell me,” I demanded. The suspense was killing me; I had to know.
Declan lifted his head and never once looked away. “I’m an assassin, Ayla. I work for the FBI, but I’m also part of a secret organization called the Circleof Justice. We have a list of criminals who’ve escaped the justice system and we’re the ones who take them out.”
My mouth dropped open in shock.
“An assassin?” I whispered, my mind reeling from the revelation. But as I looked into his eyes, there was a vulnerability that contradicted his lethal profession.
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Declan said softly, his voice tinged with regret. “But I needed you to know the truth, Ayla. I couldn’t keep lying to you.”
In all honesty, he hadn’t really lied to me; he just kept it from me.
“Declan,” I whispered, feeling a mix of sadness and admiration stirring within me. To lead that kind of double life, it had to be lonely. Not to mention, it had to take a lot out of you mentally to kill someone, even if they were criminals who deserved it.
He gently pulled his wrists out of my grasp and took my hands. “I understand if this changes everything for you,” he said softly. “But please know that everything I do, I do to make this world a safer place for people like you.”
My heart swelled with conflicted emotions as I struggled to process this new reality. But one thing was clear—no matter what secrets Declan held, Icouldn’t deny the connection between us. The truth of his identity added another layer to our relationship, but it didn’t erase the moments we had shared, the laughter, the warmth that passed between us.
I could see the weight he carried on his shoulders, the burden of his actions etched in the lines of his face. And yet, there was a fierce determination in his eyes, a resolve that spoke of a deeper purpose that drove him.
Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze and squeezed his hands in reassurance. “Declan, this changes things, yes. But it doesn’t change how I feel about you. You’re still the same man I fell in love with.”
His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through them before a wave of relief washed over his features.
“You’re not afraid of me?”
A small chuckle escaped my lips, and I kissed him, letting my lips linger on his for a few extra seconds. “Never. I’m just glad you told me. I don’t want there to be secrets between us.”
He shook his head. “Neither do I. This has been killing me for a while now. It’s just . . .” He paused and blew out a breath. “My brother was in love with a woman once and when he told her the truth, shecouldn’t handle it. I was so afraid that if I told you, you’d run away from me.”
Tears burned my eyes. “You’re trying to make the world a better place, Declan. Sometimes that requires extreme measures. I’m not going to judge you for that.”
I tried to hold back the tears, but they fell down my face. Declan wiped them away with the pads of his thumbs. “I don’t want to leave you, but I have to do this.”
“I know,” I said, leaning into his touch. “Go and don’t worry about me. I go back to work tomorrow. You just need to stay safe and do what you have to do. I’ll be here waiting for you to get back.”
Relief passed across his face. “This will be my last mission, Ayla. When I get back, I’ll get a job at the PD or something. Maybe Jack and I could become friends. I’m going to need some if I plan on staying in Magnolia Grove.”
I smiled through my tears. “I think that would be amazing. Jack’s a good guy; he’ll make a good friend.”
Declan pulled me into his arms, resting his forehead on mine. “Things will be different when I get back.Iwill be different. I’m ready to move on. I can’t do that if Deluca is hunting me. It all needs to end.”
“I understand,” I murmured, feeling my chesttighten. All I wanted was for him to stay safe and finish his mission.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take.”
Cupping his face, I stared right into his steely blue eyes. “It doesn’t matter. All I want is for you to come back.”
His lips pressed against mine. “Nothing will ever keep me away from you.” Then, he kissed me one last time. “I have to go.”
And with those final words, he turned away from me and left.
Chapter 19
Ayla
