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“Everything good with the warehouses?” he asks, stepping away from the bloodied body in the seat.
My stomach twists when my gaze falls on the hollowed-out skull. The stories I heard about Declan when I was in Ireland don’t compare to the reality of him.
“Aye. Everythin’ has been shipped to the buyers.” I nod, putting my hands in my pockets.
“Good. My da has an assignment for you. There have been some issues with the Russians recently and we need someone to keep an eye on Emily during my ma’s party.” His eyes narrow. He scans my face for any expression changes and feck is it hard not to show my excitement.
“I don’t know why he chose you but…” he takes slow steps in my direction and anxiousness thrums in my veins. His eyes flare. He stands inches from my face in an intimidating stance. I’m tall – standing at six feet –but Declan towers over me as if I’m nothing more than a pebble he can kick away with the toe of his expensive leather shoe.
“Don’t do anything but monitor her. Don’t get close to her any more than necessary. Don’t be fucking friendly.Nothing.”
I discreetly swallow the lump in my throat.
“Yessir.” I say with a dip of my chin.
I watch as Emily poses in front of the camera next to a black horse. We’re standing in the forest that surrounds the estate. She’s wearing a beautiful emerald-green gown. The fabric flows softly in the light breeze. Her hair is braided intricately, makingher appear like a regal queen from the Middle Ages. She’s truly breathtaking.
Every so often, she will glance at me, and her cheeks will flush. It sends a thrill through me that I’ve never experienced. We’ve barely exchanged more than a handful of words at a time and yet I can’t control how my thoughts focus solely on her.
Seeing her walk around the mansion, walk the grounds, or simply sit in her little garden with a tranquil face makes me want to give everything I have to her. She has such kindness to her despite the violence that surrounds her life that I hope never leaves.
She tips her head up slightly and gazes distantly. I take the time to study the slender curve of her neck and profile. Freckles scatter her skin like constellations in the night sky and I wish so deeply to trace them. It’s so hard to stay distant from her when all I want to do is pull her close and submerse myself in the depths of her ocean eyes and swim in her scent of berries and wildflowers.
I don’t know how to handle all these emotions she conjures in me. I’m completely bewitched by this woman, and I barely know her.
When she dips her chin, her eyes meet mine and time stops. She sends me a small smile which showcases the small dimple on her left cheek.
I’m in so much trouble.
It’s become more difficult to remain professional with her. I know I should heed Declan’s warnings. I’d be fecking stupid not to. After all, the man is an absolute maniac and would relish in torturing and dismembering me. But I can’t shake this pining. This achingneedto just leap with Emily and free fall.
We turn to the sound of tires driving up the gravel words to the estate. Through a gap in the trees, we see a convoy of SUVsannouncing the arrival of Caetlin – Emily’s ma – and Emily immediately beams in happiness as bright as the sun.
Taking the reins of the horse, Emily mounts it and takes off on a gallop in the direction of her ma. A small chuckle passes my lips at just how much she wanted to reach her ma that she completely disregarded the photoshoot she was doing.
Placing my hands in my pockets, I begin my trek through the forest and head toward Emily.
Emily is clutching her ma tightly when I meet them. Caetlin sees me over Emily’s shoulder and curiosity fills her eyes. I’ve seen her once or twice in the past but only from a distance. Standing in front of her now, Emily looks nearly identical. Both have beautiful red hair that cascades down their small frames. Both have those mesmerizing eyes and scattered freckles. It’s astonishing. The only difference they seem to have is their age. Caetlin has lines that reveal the years she’s spent smiling and laughing.
When they pull away, Emily meets my eyes before whispering something in her ma’s ear. Caetlin’s eyes once again flick to me, and she studies me with a look I can’t decipher.
“You must be Liam,” she says and offers me a hand which I take.
“Aye. It’s a pleasure to officially meet you,” I say with a nod and a gentle shake of her hand.
She smiles with a twinkle in her eye before glancing at Emily and shooting her a wink.
“Dia duit, mam,”Declan says, descending the front steps.
“Dia duit, mo pháiste.”Caetlin pulls Declan into an embrace. When she pulls away, she cups his face.
“How are you,mo stór?”She asks in an affectionate voice.
“Good ma. How was your flight?”
He places his hand on her back and leads her to the door.
When we step inside, Conor walks down the foyer with open arms and a huge smile plastered over his face. Caetlin spots him and her face lights up just as Emily’s did when she first arrived.
