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CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
ETHAN
It was an odd feeling, love.
That morning, as I lay on my bed with a beautiful woman in my arms, I felt an odd sense of peace and accomplishment. Whenever I imagined a future, I could easily picture her there in my arms.
I amfalling for her, aren't I?It felt as inevitable and unavoidable as day and night. The night before still worried me, but I lost myself in the joy of having her safe and close by.
Knowing Sean Mullen was out there recovering was unsettling. Looking at the door, I knew I was being drawn to it, to pick up a pistol and head to the Mullen estate, but I knew Vanessa would be worried. Her eyes told me everything. They kept looking at me and pleading with me not to leave.
I didn't want to.
There was going to be a war, and it couldn't be avoided. It was about vengeance as much as it was about protecting the family. Sean Mullen wanted revenge, and I knew he would go to any length to obtain it. However, something about the entire situation did not make sense.
And after I got Mullen and his men, all I wanted to do was get out of Chicago and take Vanessa somewhere safe. It made me chuckle to think of Hawaii.
"What's that about?" Vanessa asked,interested in my thoughts as I was in hers.
I was wondering if she still felt safe with me. Unlike me, I assumed Vanessa had never been in a gunfight until then.
Do you still trustme?I wondered as I looked into her green eyes. It was a concern of mine, and as a result, I clung to her, refusing to let go.
"You're going to crush me," she grumbled, so I let her go.
Vanessa sat up on thebed. "You're such a bully," she said.
"But you like it," I said, smirking.
Her frown softened into a smile, and she returned to me, resting her chin on my chest and playing with my hair.
I laid there with her until my phone rang. Neither Vanessa nor I felt compelled to leave our positions. We were both unavoidably comfortable and lazy that morning.
"I should go get that," I said, but she didn't get up. She pouted her displeasure.
"Are you sure you want to?" She looked at me, wide-eyed. It was a subtle threat, but it was a threat nonetheless. If I chose the call over her, she was going to keep a piece of herself hidden from me.
"Nope," I said, expressing my decision.
The phone rang again, and she looked at me as if I had caused it to ring again.
"I am innocent," I assured her.
"Could you checkwho it is?" I asked her, on second thought. Given the previous night's gunfight, it seemed only prudent to be up to date on all information.
Her eyes were drawn to my seriousness, and she slid off me to get my phone from the bed drawer.
"Tristan," she said.
I sat up, and she handed me the phone. She was worried, as was I, but I kept a neutral expression on my face. Having a good poker face was always a huge skill.
"Tristan," I said as I answered the phone.
He called to check on me, which was unusual, but I assumed he was already inside the mansion and knew I was with Vanessa. Aside from that, I knew he was still upset about everything.
“How are you feeling, boss?”
"Much better. Listen, Tristan, I'd like you to hit the streets and get me any information on what happened last night," I said.
