In the elevator ride down to the lobby, I focus all my efforts on re-centering myself. Asking my sister for help will be difficult enough without her peppering me with a bunch of questions.
Maeve’s always been observant. And interested in what’s going on with my life. For a long time after our mom died, she acted like a second mother to me. Growing up, I appreciated having someone at home who had my back. When I hit my twenties, though, our relationship started to change. Mostly my fault.
Guilt crushes me every time she gives methe look.Thatyou-used-to-be-a-sweet-little-boylook, like she’s remembering all the times she rocked me to sleep as a kid.
If I’d eaten lunch, it’d be rolling over in my stomach. While I lost my sentimentality a long time ago, my sister didn’t. Her heart has always been the same amount ofsoft.
At least when it comes to me.
She’d never understand, though. Like Connor, she’s arealGallagher, and she doesn’t know about my true parentage. My father swore me to secrecy and threatened my life if I told anyone.
I’m the interloper who needs to earn his place to remain in the family. And earning a spot under Declan Gallagher doesn’t allow for sentimentality or gentle hearts.
When I exit the elevators on the ground floor, my eyes find Maeve easily. My older sister stands at the reception desk, chatting with a few of her employees. She looks like a million bucks in her pastel blue pantsuit, her straight dark hair pulled back in a perfect ponytail.
Maeve never used to wear eye-catching colors. ProbablyKellin’sinfluence.
As I head toward her, that familiar weightlowers onto my shoulders. Over the past few years, our relationship has proven a little…rocky.
Not her fault, of course. As Maeve distanced herself from our father, I bent over backward to impress him. Plus, the older we got, the more Declan started to separate us.
Maeve stayed out of the dirty work, half because she wanted to and half because Declan never respected her enough to realize her potential.
Bigger responsibilities always went to Connor. Less important tasks came to me. I’ve spent years running on a treadmill and struggling to earn Declan’s esteem while gaining nothing but more insecurity.
I know I’ve acted like an asshole, even to Maeve sometimes. Maybe I thought being tough around her would impress Declan.
So stupid.
In recent weeks, I’ve taken steps to repairour relationship, and I think I’ve noticed progress. I started texting her periodically to see how she’s doing, and last week, I sent her flowers for no reason other than to let her know I’m glad she’s my sister. She called me sobbing.
I don’t know the first thing about making up with someone, but Maeve, while careful with her heart, loves fiercely.
And when she loves you, she’ll forgive you a thousand times over. No questions asked.
As soon as she sees me coming, my sister’s brown eyes light up. She offers me a smile so big and genuine that I almost spin right around.
Seeing my sister on the heels of that screwed-up shit with Trinity upstairs isn’t easy. My chest locks up tighter than a snare drum while remorse gnaws at my mind.
If someone did or said the things that I did and said to Trinity today to Maeve… Well, let’s just say that asshole’s blood would already be under my fingernails.
Great. Now I really am conflating Maeve and Trinity. I think the stress of today has finally gotten to me.
“It’s not like you to pay me a surprise visit.”
Maeve’s nose wrinkles, and she refrains from hugging me. Guess I should have showered first, but I couldn’t be in that suite for another minute.
I glance down at my shirt. At least I kept the blood from my clothes. Mostly.
“I’m in a bit of a jam,” I state flatly.
Concern immediately clouds her face. “My office?”
“Emerald & Oak, if that’s okay.” The idea of the hotel’s five-star restaurant has my stomach gurgling. “I’m starved.”
As we head over to the elevator to travel up to the fifth floor, memories spiral through my crowded mind. All the times I accompanied Declan to the hotel, all the times he held court in this very restaurant…
It’s strange to be here without him, but our family’s in a volatile place at the moment.
