I’ll make sure that she stays safe, even if I have to take a post myself outside her shop. We’ll make it happen. She’s bloody talented, and I want to see her fulfill her dreams.
“What else?”
“I want children,” she says. “Or at least a child.”
I nod. “Me as well.”
“I just… well, I want a chance to love a child. I want to raise him or her with as much love as I possibly can.” She holds her chin up and meets my gaze. “In short, Mac, what I want is an opportunity to… break the chain. You know?”
I hold her hand and kiss her fingertips. “Ah, lassie. Of course, love. I do know.” I feel my own voice grow a little thoughtful. I’ve known for a while there’s no love lost between my parents. I’d like a chance to break the chain, too.
“It starts with us, Bryn.”
“Does it?” she asks, smiling.
“Aye, lass. We’re the ones that will break the chain. We’re the ones that start a new beginning.”
“Aye,” she says with a smile. “I’d like that.”
We pack our bags and head home. On the plane ride back, she pulls up a text on her phone.
“What the bloody hell is this, Mac? Oh my God!”
I look sharply at her phone, but only see texts.
“What is it?”
“Jesus, Mac, Fran caught her new husband with another woman on theirweddingnight.”
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?”
She glares at the screen. “No.” She sighs. “She’s staying in Islan’s room. They had moved in together, you see, and she has no place to go.”
“What a fuckin’ wanker.”
Her eyes go even wider. “Seems Tate got involved.”
“Did he, now? Can’t say I’m surprised. He’s one of those overprotective types.”
She gives me a look I can’t decipher.
“What?”
“Oh, we don’t know anyone else likethat,now, do we?”
I snort. “Well, you know. Not like him.”
Her brows shoot up to the sky. “Not likehim? So if someone tried to hurt me…”
“That’s different.”
“How is it different?”
“Well… because you’re you,” I tell her. “I’d beat the crap out of anyone who disrespected you and kill anyone who threatened you.”
“Now, Mac,’ she says, flushing with pleasure, clearly pleased. “Not everything can be solved with fists, you know that.”
“Aye, lass, but I’d fuckin’ try, wouldn’t I?”
