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I ran down the stairs and Deaglan grabbed my arm before I managed to dart by him and scramble into the kitchen. “No fuckin’ way. Get behind me.”
It was then I saw the gun in his right hand and fear clutched my chest. “Deaglan. It’s Connor.”
His eyes narrowed, lips pursed. “Connor?” He didn’t wait for an answer because he knew I wouldn’t make something like that up. “Fuck.” He let me go and reached in his pocket and took out his cell.
I put my hand on his arm. “No. Please. Don’t call him yet.”
He paused, his finger resting on the illuminated screen. “You know I can’t do that.” I did. Deck was Deaglan’s friend and he was asked to keep an eye on me.
“Then give me ten minutes. Please. He stayed here with me last night. He’s been here before.” His eyes widened with surprise then quickly narrowed. “And if he sees you with a gun… Deaglan, if he’s confronted, it won’t end well. I can calm him down.”
He snorted. “No chance. Deck would kill me.”
“Connor will kill you if you go in there with a gun.”
Another crash but it wasn’t glass. I didn’t know what it was.
Deaglan looked at his phone and tapped on the screen “Sorry, pet. Nope. We call in Deck and you’re going outsid—”
I took off for the kitchen.
“Fuck.” He raced after me.
I ran faster. I made it around the corner into the kitchen just as he snagged my arm.
I panicked, eyes darting to him. “Deaglan, your hand. He’ll freak if you’re holding me.”
He must have read my panic because he instantly let me go, at the same time as Connor noticed us, his eyes wild and red, shifting from me to Deaglan then back again.
I was thankful that Deaglan was behind me and Connor couldn’t see the gun because I knew he’d react to it especially with me being close.
No one moved.
I stared at the disaster. All the cupboard doors were open, a couple hanging at odd angles as he’d obviously yanked on them too hard. Connor had ripped the cutlery tray out of the drawer and dumped the utensils on the counter. Forks, spoons, and knives were scattered everywhere, some having landed on the floor.
There were several plates on the floor, too, broken pieces everywhere and the figurine of a dog, a tan and white boxer that sat on the windowsill.
It wasn’t mine, but I liked it and I was sure Grandma Kane had liked it since it had its own special spot.
Oh, my God. What was he doing?
“Connor?” I stepped forward, ignoring Deaglan’s low growl not to move. “What’s wrong?”
I nearly ran when his eyes darkened and hands curled into fists at his sides. Nearly. But I’d been with the machine Connor. I’d been with the overprotective sweet and cocky Connor and I’d been with this Connor. The man who was trying to come to terms with what he’d done while on the drug.
“The pictures,” he shouted, voice threaded with anger. “What happened to them?”
“Oh, God.” I covered my mouth with my hand. I stared at all the open drawers and cupboards. He’d been searching for the pictures. “They’re gone.”
I felt Deaglan’s eyes on me and as long as he was there, it meant he wasn’t calling Deck.
Connor dropped the drawer he held in his hand and it clattered to the floor. It was all over his face. The way his eyes half closed, how his brows knitted together, how his shoulders sagged.
He knew. That was what this was about. He’d remembered burning them and he didn’t want to believe it was true, so he was looking for them. “I burned them.”
I nodded.
He lowered his head then collapsed into the chair, his legs parted, elbows resting on them as he cradled his head. “You watched me,” he muttered. Again I nodded, although he wasn’t looking at me.
I remembered hearing the fire crackle as it ate away at our memories. The smoke billowing into the air and the scent drifting into me. Our memories turned to ash within minutes.
“Why the fuck would I do that?” His fingers curled into his hair. “Why?”
I heard Deaglan swear beneath his breath. Connor either didn’t notice or didn’t care anymore.
I moved into him so my thighs touched his knees. I wasn’t sure whether I should touch him or not. “You didn’t know.”
He lifted his head then reached for me. His hands went to my hips then he pulled me into him. I parted my legs and moved up onto his lap and straddled his waist.
I glanced over my shoulder at Deaglan who watched us. He nodded to me before turning and leaving the room, but not before I saw him lift his phone and tap on the screen.
Shit. He was calling Deck.
“I fell asleep last night, baby. You in my arms… . Fuck, I fell asleep for too long and this shit messed with my head. I woke up and didn’t think it was true. I thought if I found them… . Jesus, what the fuck did I do?” He ran his hands up and down my back. “I need you safe. That’s all I can think about.”
