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“I get that,” Clover whispers. “But I don’t want to leave. It’s not even crossed my mind to consider walking out of here. I don’t want to leave Belfast.”
“Ye still have yer da’s club that’s rightfully yours,” I tell her.
She’s still a club princess. This girl could run her own motorcycle club. It’s an honour to say the least. Fer her to turn her back on her family, it’s not a good sign to the rest of the brothers.
“I know.” She sighs as she looks away from me. “I just never wanted to live that life without Dad. You understand?”
I do understand where she’s comin’ from, so I nod. “Aye, I get ye.” It can’t be easy livin’ with the memory of losin’ a parent ye love so much. It’s an everyday reminder they’re no longer with ye. “But ye have ta remember, if ye do decide to run the club, he’ll be proud of ye. And if ye decide ta do somethin’ else, he’ll still be lookin’ down on ye with love and pride.”
This makes her smile, and I see the tears wellin’ up in her eyes. She’s a strong woman, fightin’ back emotion. Over the past months, there’ve been moments when I’ve noticed she gets lost in her head. God knows I do the same, time and time again.
Memories are feckin’ horrible things that seem to slam into ye when ye least expect them. But I believe they’re there to remind us we’re still alive. They also confirm that our lives are real, and we’re not just walkin’ around like zombies. We have experiences that shape us, and if I had ta be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing. Even the most difficult times of my life.
I cup Clover’s face in my hands and hold her steady so she can’t look away from me. I lock my gaze with hers because I want her ta listen, to take in what I am about ta say.
“Whatever yer life brings ye, good and bad, it’s made ye a beautiful, strong woman. And I don’t want ye to fight those emotions. If ye need ta cry, my shoulder is big enough to handle that. And if ye want ta laugh, do it, because I feckin’ love the sound.”
We stare at each other fer a wee while. Lookin’ into her eyes makes my heart slam against my ribs. It’s a wild, thrummin’ rhythm I can’t deny. But I won’t admit what I’m feelin’ fer her, not just yet.
I’m about to speak when my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I sigh because I know it’s Monster. The fecker has the timin’ of a cock block.
I release Clover and pull the device out, but I find it’s Tye instead.
“What’s up, mate?” I respond by way of greetin’.
“I have somethin’ fer ye,” he tells me, and my gut churns with excitement and anger.
“Ye’ve found the bastard?” I ask, but I know the answer already. He doesn’t need to confirm it, because that’s the only reason he’d be callin’ me.
“Aye, he actually got on a flight last night,” Tye tells me, and I can practically hear the smile on his face. Wee fecker is always proud when he’s got into a job and cracked it.
“He’s comin’ here,” I say with the realisation that the man who hurt Clover will soon be on the same soil as me.
“Aye,” Tye finally says, which affirms what I’ve been thinkin’.
There’s no longer any doubt in my mind. I’m goin’ta get the revenge I need, and so is Clover.
“I’ll be there soon. Tell Monster I’m goin’ta need help.” I hang up before Tye can say anythin’ more. I look at Clover, who’s watchin’ me intently. “Rogan is on his way to Belfast.”
“What?” Panic sets in when she realises she’s goin’ta have ta face the bastard sooner than she expected.
“He’ll probably be landin’ this afternoon. If you want ta go ta work, I’ll have Tye and a few of the prospects watchin’ the pub. I’m not goin’ta leave ye alone, but I am goin’ta get the arsehole the moment he lands.”
“Sully—”
“And then I’m takin’ him ta the warehouse where I’ll make sure he’s ready fer ye,” I tell her. “Will ye be ready if I call on ye ta come?”
She looks as if she’s seen a ghost. She would never have been able to hide forever, though. There’s no way. Men like him—they never move on. They come back, repeatedly, and this time, he’s comin’ fer her.
Then she nods. “I’ll be ready. But please don’t do anything stupid.” The plea in her tone is obvious.
“I won’t,” I say before I pause fer a moment. “But I can’t promise, if the bastard provokes me, I won’t make him bleed.”
And I already know I’ll have more blood on my hands today. She may not want me ta commit another murder, but I’ll gladly do it fer her. It feels as if I’ve come full circle. There’s no goin’ back now.
