Page 48 of Guarding Salvation

He stopped the car in front of the castle but at the back this time, instead of the impressive front entrance.

Holding his jacket over their heads, they ran for the back door, falling inside laughing like two kids and she wondered if she’d ever been happier. On the back of that thought came the worry that it would all end and she’d be back in her empty hell. Pushing it away, she vowed to hold on to this time and this man with everything she had.

Chapter 20

Bram watched Aoife as she sipped her hot chocolate made by Mrs Murrel. He’d tried to make it but found himself pushed out of the kitchen. Probably for the best. Mrs M was so much better than he was at it, and she’d added a dram of whisky to warm them both up.

Aoife moaned at the first sip, and he found himself having to discreetly adjust his jeans. Spending today with her had been perfect. She’d been open and free, relaxed and smiling, and he found himself imagining what it would be like if this was their life more and more.

Would he be satisfied living here full time if it meant being with the woman he’d admitted to himself he was falling in love with? Seeing the simple joy she took in the smallest things made his chest tighten and warm. Watching her with the villagers, who he’d grown up knowing and seeing how they took to her, made him realise that he wasn’t the only one who saw it either.

Titan had admitted he’d been unsure at first if he was making a mistake getting involved, and he’d almost voted against helping her but in the end, he’d trusted that Bram saw something worth saving, and now he saw it too. Titan was a good man deep down despite the bad things he’d done in his previous life. He also saw how protective Titan was of Snow. They partnered together a lot, seeming to work well as a team. He wondered if there was more to it than just friends and hoped that wasn’t the case, team members getting involved was strictly forbidden and he would hate to lose either of them.

Aoife had changed again into an oversized jumper and leggings with thick socks on her feet. She looked cosy and relaxed and so fucking sexy he could hardly keep from reaching for her, but he’d promised her they’d go at a natural pace. He just felt his pace was increasing and wasn’t sure if hers was.

“You ready for your surprise?”

“Oh, thank God. I was trying to be cool, but I’m so excited.”

Bram rubbed his scruff. “Now I feel I may have oversold this. It’s not that exciting.”

“Just show me already.”

Bram pulled her up and helped her slip her boots back on. “I bet you were a nightmare on Christmas Eve, weren’t you?”

“Oh, totally. My mum had to lie with me until I fell asleep right up until I was eleven. I just couldn’t contain my excitement and then I couldn’t sleep.”

“You were close?”

“Yeah, we were. She died of cancer when I was a teenager. I miss her every day, but it’s her voice in my head that keeps me going.”

“I’m glad you had that.”

“Me too.”

Bram walked with her hand in hand down the hallway and past the kitchen and up the stairs toward the rooms on the east side where they were staying.

Aoife chuckled. “Is this surprise in my bedroom?”

“It is, but it isn’t what you might be thinking.”

“It isn’t?”

Bram huffed out a laugh as he tried not to let his mind go in that direction. “No, although now I kind of wish it was.”

Pushing open her door, he stepped inside and closed it before walking to the window. Pushing aside the heavy brocade, he pressed his hand against the wall and felt the click. Aoife was watching him wide-eyed, and he loved that she was shocked in a good way for a change.

Pushing the secret door open, he revealed a small space behind the exterior wall. Using the light on his phone to light the way, he took her hand and drew her in before closing the door behind them.

“A secret passage. Are you freaking kidding? This is the coolest thing ever.”

“I thought you might like it.”

It was barely wide enough for him to fit through and he had to duck his head a lot. Cobwebs hung off the stone walls as they descended, the decline sharper as he knew they were headed for the ground floor.

“Where does this lead?”

“You’ll see.”