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What if I lose him?
I flex my fingers and try to mask the anxiety that grows. Rhys is studying me and sends me a soft smile when I meet his eyes. Understanding it etched in them.
Does he know?
“Please be careful,” I say to Declan and Rhys. I’m indirectly addressing Liam, but still refuse to face him.
“Of course. Stay here with ma. The property will be on lockdown until we confirm they won’t come here.”
Every assignment they go on has a risk of them not coming back. But this one feels different. Declan isn’t just going for revenge. He’s going as the new leader of the Irish Mafia. This is his chance to show the underground that he’s in charge and what he’s capable of.
“Just… Please come back.” I choke on a sob.
Declan pulls me back into his arms and I hold onto him tightly. We hold each other for a long moment before he pulls away and kisses my forehead.
“I’ll see you later.”
He and Rhys turn on their heels and make their way to the train of blacked-out SUVs.
“Em,” Liam whispers.
I blow out a deep breath before spinning to face him. His hair is disheveled, and his clothes are covered in blood splatter. The bruises from his eyes have spread across his cheeks.
My palm tingles with the want to touch him but I force myself to stay still.
“Féileacán –.”
“Don’t call me that.” I hold my hand up, interrupting him.
His eyes flick between mine and his shoulders slump.
“Emily… I’m so sorry about your daid.”
I rub my front teeth with my tongue while nodding. The fact that I can’t confide in Liam like I used to, sends a new wave of hurt through me. He was my everything and I was nothing but a hole for him to fill.
How could I have been so stupid?
He steps toward me and my muscles lock. He gently pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear and my lip quivers. I stare at his chest to avoid meeting his eyes.
“Look at me, Em.”
My heart drums through my ears and I feel each pound throughout my entire body. I close my eyes and shake my head.
When his callused fingers caress my cheek, I can’t help but lean into his touch. A tear slips from my eye and slowly falls down my face.
“I can’t do this.” I push him away from me and run up the steps to the mansion without looking back.
The hurt that crossed Emily’s face at my nearness nearly brought me to my knees.
I did that.
I broke her heart and she’ll never trust me like she used to. How could she? I’m the one that pushed her away… I told her I didn’t want her. I made her feel used and then tossed her aside.
I’m a fool.
“Let’s load up!” Rhys shouts and everyone begins climbing to the trucks and vans.
Someone tosses me a bulletproof vest and I nod my thanks before putting it on. With a final glance at the mansion, I hop into one of the SUVs.
