Fallon and I part ways so I can take care of my priorities and she can take care of hers.
5
Fallon
“I knew this was going to happen!” March chews a hole right through my earpiece. “I knew it. I knew it. I knew you were going to take one look at that fine Irish piece of ass and not be able to pull the trigger.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, wishing March was in reaching distance so I could strangle him. An “I told you so” is the last thing I need right now.
“It wasn’t like that,” I vehemently disagree. “It didn’t have anything to do with him. The girl changed everything.”
“Mmm, if I didn’t know your past, I’d call bullshit. But you’ve got yourself into one sour pickle.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I stare off into the distance as my hair whips in the cold, unforgiving wind.
“So, what’s the plan?” March is all aboard, even though he knows this can, and probably will, end terribly for all of us.
“Get us some new identities. We need to get Aisling out of the country. I’m not sure where yet. It sounds like Declan had a plan, so I’ll need to get the details. Then, when she’s safe, we’ll come back and take care of Ronan.”
“Berry Girl, have you gone insane? You’re going to take care of Ronan? Why don’t I just sign the death certificate now and save us all the trouble?”
“It’s her only chance. You know he’ll never stop looking for her.”
“She isn’t the only one he won’t stop looking for,” he alludes.
I don’t verbally respond.
So, maybe this whole thing isn’t solely about Aisling. Maybe it’s a little bit about me. But what does it matter? In the end, we all get what we want. Freedom.
“Look, how long is it going to take to get the docs?”
“A few weeks. I’m going to have to use the back channels of my back channels, and Ronan is going to be breathing down my neck. What am I supposed to tell him? He’s gonna want to know what happened to you.
“I don’t know. maybe that Declan is holding me hostage?”
“He would never believe that.”
“Maybe tell him I’m using a different tactic?”
“How ’bout I just tell him you went dark, and I think you’re dead?”
“That works, too.”
A pained groan from March’s end rumbles in my ear. “You’re killin’ me, Smalls.”
“Killin’ is what I do.” I turn to look for Declan and Aisling. They’re sitting safely at a table inside. “Let me go talk to Dax and see what his master plan is. In the meantime, find us someplace to stay. We’re gonna need a big care package, too.”
“Already on it. Give me an hour, then call me back with a list.”
“Done.” I yank the earpiece out of my ear.
Inhaling a deep breath, I survey the sparse surroundings. There’s nothing but highway and dreary gray clouds for miles.Inspiring.
When I walk inside the tiny diner, I’m hit with the smell of burnt bacon and sweet pancakes. The place is pretty sparse and a tad bit grimy.
I sit down across from Declan who is fighting with Aisling to eat a bowl of Cheerios.
“No!” She slams her hands down, sending the contents of the bowl all over the table.
