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He turned to face me fully, his expression a mixture of concern and disappointment. “Rory, you’re one of the best men we have. The Clan needs a leader like you.”
I shook my head. “The Clan needs me where I am. As your right-hand man, as someone who can work in the shadows and get things done. Being Captain... it’s not who I am.”
Declan was silent for a long moment, studying me intently. Finally, he nodded. “I understand. And I respect your decision. But know this - the offer will always be there, if you ever change your mind.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.
As he walked away, I turned back to the moonlit fields, my thoughts drifting back to Kat. Tomorrow, she would be gone, and I would have to find a way to move forward without her. The path ahead seemed darker and more uncertain than ever before.
But for now, I had one last night with her. One last chance to hold her in my arms, to memorize every detail of her face, every curve of her body. To say goodbye to the future we might have had.
With a heavy heart, I made my way back to the house, to the woman I loved, and to the bittersweet hours we had left together.
∞∞∞
I found her in bed, curled up in a ball, her auburn hair splayed across the pillow. For a moment, I just stood there, drinking in the sight of her. Even in sleep, she was breathtaking.
Quietly, I shed my clothes and slipped under the covers beside her. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as I wrapped my arms around her.
“Rory,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. “I was worried you wouldn’t come.”
“I’ll always come to you,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Whenever you ask.”
She snuggled closer, burying her face in my chest. “But not when I ask you to leave with me,” she said, her words muffled against my skin.
I dragged her on top of me. “Don’t. Don’t ruin what precious time we have left,” I murmured against her throat.
Kat lifted her head, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears in the dim light. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you won’t do anything reckless after I’m gone.”
I cupped her face in my hands, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheek. “I promise,” I said solemnly. “As long as you promise to stay safe too. No unnecessary risks.”
She nodded, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “We don’t have much time left, do we?”
My throat tightened. “No,” I managed to say. “We don’t.”
She traced my jaw with her fingertips, her touch feather-light. “Then let’s make the most of it,” she whispered, before pressing her lips to mine.
I kissed her back with everything I had. Our tears mingled as I poured all my love, all my longing, all my grief into that kiss. We made love slowly, savoring every touch, every caress, knowing it would be the last time.
Afterwards, as we lay tangled together, I held her close and silently prayed for the sun never to rise.
Chapter 33
Kat
I woke up before dawn, Rory’s arm draped heavily across my waist. For a moment, I let myself savor the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rhythm of his breathing. But the weight of what I had to do pressed down on me, urging me to move.
Carefully, I slipped out from his embrace, holding my breath as he stirred slightly before settling back into sleep. I dressed quickly and silently, shoving a few essentials into a duffel bag. As I zipped it closed, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked older, harder than the one who had arrived here months ago.
Out of my purse, I took a notepad and pen, my hand shaking slightly as I wrote:
Rory,
I’m sorry. I wish things could have been different, but we both know they can’t. Know that you are the best thing that ever happened in my life. I’ll miss you. Please be safe.
Love aways,
Kat
