Was I even capable of returning his love? I’ve had emotional connections, like with Caleb. I hold him close in my heart, but only as one would a brother. I want nothing but great things for him. But with Declan, my feelings and emotions are so different.I’ve cried over him. When he was dying, I completely turned off. Is that love? When I watched him lying there, I prayed for us to trade places. I wanted nothing else but for him to be awake while I took his place.
Declan woke something in me that I wasn’t even aware was sleeping.
The sun is dusting the sky in vivid purples and blues by the time I know I’m in love with him. I would give up anything to be with him. To hold him in my arms while I tell him that I not only love him but he’s my future. I am willing to give up everything for him. We will be okay.
Without thinking I find myself at his place. I use the key he gave me and let myself in. “I’m back,” I announce but I’m greeted only by Beocca. The single rose he picked for me earlier is in a small glass on his kitchen counter with a note next to it.
Aingeal,
I’m so sorry the world has been cruel to us. Throwing us all the curveballs.
I know you need time. I went to Murphy’s for a bit to give you some more space.
Call me whenever you’re ready to talk. I’m always here for you. Remember I love
you, and for me that is enough. Just you being in my life makes everything possible.
With all my love,
Declan
His neat writing and words warm my soul. I can’t wait to tell him I feel the same. I hold his note close to my chest and vow to keep this always.
Suddenly the lights go out, and I’m plunged into darkness. “Hello?” I love that he’s giving me a moment to see his dark side. We’re going to do things that stay in the shadows, and I’ll confess my love for him.
Something smashes the back of my head, and I fall to the ground. This isn’t how we play our games. “Say goodbye priest.” The realization that it’s not Declan causes me to panic. My head throbs, but I can’t let it end this way. I feel around and find the counter, using it to pull myself up. Just as I come to a full stand I’m hit again and this time I fall and have nothing but the hard counter to greet me. That’s all I remember before I pass out.
35
DECLAN
That stupid hag of a nun surprised us and Ewen panicked. He was caught canoodling with me. The closest thing to a metaphorical sex tape being released of him. I’m afraid he regrets me. All the times I told him I loved him without him saying it back never hurt. I knew in time he would. He just needed to be comfortable admitting it to himself first. I can see it in his eyes, or the way he touches me. He’s always treated me like I’m a fragile dream, ready to disappear if he touched it.
I gave him a break like he needed so he could sort his thoughts. Sitting in a back booth of Murphy’s, I sip my whiskey. Fiona isn’t working this evening, but the staff was originally mine and they know if I want to talk, I will. But not right now. I just need to be alone. I couldn’t just sit there and wait for him. What if he said he couldn’t be with me? Went back to his life without me?
I’m taking the final sip of my drink when my phone buzzes. Sliding it from my pocket I see the notification from my security system saying there’s movement at my front door. I click it and see Ewen letting himself into my place.
Throwing a fifty-dollar bill on the table, I head out. I always tip well, even if I don’t pay for my drinks.
He came back. That has to be a good sign, right? My steps home are slow and hesitant. I hope for the positive but fear for the negative. Another alert vibrates my phone in my pocket so I pull it out to check.SYSTEM SHUTDOWN.Someone has cut or turned off my security system. Ewen doesn’t know how to do that. This can’t be good. For another time in my life, I run as fast as I can, fear for Ewen’s well-being pushing me faster.
My place isn’t far so the run is short. I’m greeted by my open front door. The whole place is engulfed in shadows. Panic swells in my chest. Who the fuck had the audacity to come and fuck with my home? Before I go in, I quickly send a message to Ciar, telling him I need him. Using my flashlight on my phone, I enter and scan the area. I see nothing out of place until my light bounces across the kitchen. The flower I left for Ewen is knocked over, the glass broken. Water and shards litter the floor and counter. As I get closer I see blood on the island next to the spot where the flower was left. My note is also there, waterlogged and ruined.
Where the fuck is Ewen? I’m going to tear this fucking town apart brick by brick looking for him. Whoever took him or keeps him from me will die by my hands.
I quickly rush to my office where the main system for everything is and see an intruder has smashed everything. The computer that runs my security system lays in pieces.
The front door banging off the wall lets me know I’m not alone. I grab the gun I keep in my office and go see who has the nerve to come here. “D!” is yelled and I lower the gun. It’s Ciaran. I wave my phone around so the flashlight alerts him to where I am. Once the light hits him I see he’s armed.
“What the fuck happened?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“Enzo fucking Bianchi took Ewen and just signed his death warrant.” We move outside to see better. It’s dark but there’s more light out here than inside. We jump into his car. “It’s timefor the war to officially start. I’ll kill them. All. Of. Them. And get him back.”
“Just fucking tell us what we want to know!” I shout as my fist connects with the guy’s already battered face. Our first stop is the Bianchi crew hangout. We snatched the door guy, who’s name isn’t one I care to know. He’s just a steppingstone to the person I need.
The guy spits more blood on the floor. “I told you fucks, I don’t know anything.” He pauses to look up, trying to glare daggers at me. “Frank is dead. Geno is missing. Someone is calling the shots but we don’t know who.”
All valid but I highly doubt these morons can function without someone giving them orders. And that someone has to be respected otherwise they wouldn’t listen.
