Page 74 of Sullivan

“I understand. Is there something I can get you? Anything?”

I turned away so she didn’t see the plea in my eyes. I needed Sully. I’d had a lot of time to sit and reflect. To think of my life with him, versus my life without him.

I cleared my throat and met her eyes. “How do you handle it?” I asked quietly.

She perched on the end of the bed carefully, not disturbing Lynn. She knew what I was asking without my having to explain. “Niall took me from a situation that was horrific. He rescued me. I fell in love with him, knowing his world wasn’t the same as mine. His contained much more violence and danger than I even realized existed. But it was my world that put me into the situation he rescued me from. I fell for the man. I accepted his world because of who he is. And without his world, I wouldn’t be here now. He was worried he wasn’t good enough because of it, but the truth was, and is, that I am safer in his world than not.” She smiled kindly. “And no one will love you the way a Black will. Sully and Niall are very similar. So is Finn. They love deeply. Endlessly. With so much devotion, you will never doubt your place in their life.”

“I miss him,” I whispered. “I think I hurt him, and I don’t know how to ask him to forgive me.”

She stood and patted my arm. “Our men are very forgiving. If you ask, he will be there for you.” She smiled. “Who do you think had us arrange the room? The meals? Even the flowers that arrived today with no card?”

“I thought that was you and Niall. You brought them in.”

“No, it was Sully. Let your heart guide you, Autumn. It knows what it needs.”

Then she bent and kissed my cheek. “And I like you. It would be fun to be related.” She looked toward Lynn. “I’ll leave you and see you tomorrow. I’m as close as the phone.”

The room was quiet after she left. I picked up my phone, then put it down again, feeling like a coward. It was the middle of the night in Scotland, I reasoned with myself. I didn’t even know if Sully was home yet or still in Dublin. I would call him in the morning.

Darkness descended, and I sat beside the bed, humming and talking nonsense to Lynn. I was so tired. My back ached, my head hurt, and I was chilled.

I pulled the blanket over me, curling into the chair, resting my chin on my hand. I dozed, a dream filtering through my mind. Sully crouched beside me, his long fingers stroking my neck and head. His warm, masculine scent wrapped around me. I felt the heat of his body. He whispered my name, his favorite endearment sounding like music as he asked me to open my eyes. I whimpered his name, my voice trembling.

“I miss you so much, Sully. I need you.”

“I’m here, mo fhiadh beag. Open your eyes, love.”

I startled awake, staring into the deep brown irises of Sully. In seconds, I was wrapped in his arms, weeping into his chest. He held me tightly, letting me cry, running his hand up and down my back.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed.

“No apologies. I’m here now. I’m not leaving. I am never leaving you.”

I pushed myself farther into his embrace. He sat down, wrapping me even tighter. I gripped him as hard as I could.

He was here.

I wasn’t alone.

And I knew, from now on, I never would be.

SULLY

It felt so right to have her back in my arms again. It seemed like years, not days, since I had held her. I hated how upset she was, but I was thankful I was here. She wept against my chest, her hand gripping my shirt as she cried. I stroked her back, making soft noises in my throat meant to soothe. As the storm passed, she sighed, a long, shuddering breath that conveyed her sadness as much as her tears had. I slipped some tissues into her hand as she sat up, wiping her face and blowing her nose.

Our eyes met in the dim light of the hospital room. In the short time she’d been here, she’d lost weight, her face thinner. Drawn. Exhaustion was etched under her eyes. She was pale and wan. And still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I cupped her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Mo fhiadh beag.”

“You came.”

“I will always come.”

Her lips trembled again. “I⁠—”

I shook my head, stopping her words. “Not needed, love. You don’t have to explain or apologize. I came because Anna said you needed me.”

“I do.”

“Then that is all that matters. I’m here for whatever you need.”