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It was the first time she’d called me that, and even though nothing about this situation was good, it made me sigh, a slither of happiness unfurling inside me as I thought about her stretching out in our bed, her arms and legs tensing and relaxing as she curled up amid the sheets.
I’d give my left ball to be there, but instead, I didn’t have time.
“Babe, I’m in Lower Manhattan. I’m gonna drive back home, but I need you to be ready to meet me in the garage.”
“What? Why?”
“I know you had scheduled to go to the soup kitchen, but Eoghan’s just called. He says Victoria needs you. She’s had a meltdown.”
“What?! Okay, I’ll be ready in ten.”
Though her voice sounded a lot more alert, I just said, “Well, I’m thirty minutes away, Camille, so don’t break your neck or anything.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t know. Eoghan didn’t tell me.” I cleared my throat. “Just be ready, okay? I’ll buzz you when I’m about to turn into the garage, so you know to come down.”
“Okay, Bren. I’ll see you in a little while.”
With that done, I sent a message to Tink as well, telling him to meet me at Eoghan’s.
I raced through traffic which wasn’t as kind to me now as it had been earlier, and when I made it to my building, I did as I said, called her then hung up and pulled into the tunnel that would take me to my section of the garage.
When I made it there, she hadn’t arrived, so I leaned into the glove compartment and pulled out the sweeper Con had made for us.
The second I swept it over the dashboard, the device flashed red.
Jaw clenching, I swore under my breath and climbed out of the car. This vehicle had been only two places without my eyes on it—my da’s compound and here, a secured parking lot.
Locking it up, the sweeper in my hand, I moved over to the cupboard beside the elevator just as she made an appearance. Even though I knew she’d rushed, she looked a million dollars and as fucking furious as I was, as mad as those bruises decorating her temple made me, I stopped to tug her into my arms and greet her good morning.
When I thrust my tongue against hers, she jerked in surprise, then immediately melted in my arms.
Her reaction to me, her response, like always, blew my fucking mind, but it also cleared it. Made everything feel as transparent as glass.
Before, I’d been working for the family. I’d kill for them, but this was different. This was my family of choice. This was the woman I had to protect, or die trying.
My entire world boiled down to her as she accepted me for all that I was, unequivocally, and at that moment, I accepted her for what she was too—the woman I loved.
There, I’d said it.
Even if it was only to myself.
I pulled back, nipping her bottom lip as a parting tease, before I rumbled in her ear, “I have to check the cars. Mine was bugged.”
She frowned. “Did you park up somewhere when you were in Lower Manhattan?”
I shook my head and watched the cogs whirl. “Here or at your father’s place?” she muttered, the question more rhetorical than anything else.
“That’s my thinking too.” I gritted my teeth as I left her to grab the keys for the Maserati.
When I opened it up, the second I did, I swept the device over the car, and found it hadn’t been touched.
I almost preferred the idea of my parking garage being infiltrated than Da’s compound.
Rounding the car, I held open the door for Camille, beckoning her over. As she slipped into the passenger seat, I called Conor.
As it rang, she muttered, “Don’t worry, I’ll try to close my ears.”
