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“I didn’t expect you to. It’s not like we had time for introductions. He’s helping us with Bartiste now, since our numbers are down, but I—”
“I want him dead, Ronan,” I interrupt. “But I want you here with me more.”
RONAN
Well, fuck. What am Isupposed to say to that?No, I want to kill the motherfucker who wronged you more?
The look in her eyes breaks me apart. She begged me once before to come with her… I didn’t. Look where it led us. The choice is clear because it isn’t even a choice—I’m staying here with her.
But the guys and I, we better start recruiting soon, because I need more people to make sure there’re enough eyes on the motherfucker.
I wrap my hands around Annika’s waist and hold her there, at enough distance that I can still look at her beautiful face without her craning her neck up to look at me.
“You haven’t told me why you’re pulling away from me,” I deflect.
“Are you staying?”
I pull her to me, kissing her plush lips that seem to taste of peaches. Sweet, soft peaches.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight,” I finally reply.
She sighs, an invisible weight coming off her as her body relaxes, and she looks somewhere beyond me.
“It’s Finnigan. He looks at me like he’s about to wrap a noose around my neck and throw me over the terrace railing. And I can’t blame him one bit.”
“If you want me to talk to him…”
“No. He’s hurting. If anyone understands, it’s me. He resents me… and not because he blames me for her death. The displays of us, our love… I feel like I’m rubbing it in his face.”
“We,little witch,we.You are not alone in this.” I thought I was paying attention to them. I’ve been focused on their individual healing, on our interactions. My brain acknowledged but skimmed over my brother’s reactions at the sight of Annika, the mention of her name. And us.
“I know, but you’re not the one he’s livid at,” she almost whispers, looking up at me with sad eyes.
“Yeah, I am. He blames me for not staying on the island. But I understand. We’ll keep it lighter around him.”
“Thank you.”
Her small hands slide around my waist until she pulls her whole body against mine. I’m not the first Hennessey she’s hugged today, but the first one needed it so much more than me.
I sink into this, into her, reveling in the feel of her, how perfectly she fits wrapped around me. I’m not a believer in fate, but fuck me if she didn’t make me one. Even through these horrid circumstances, I found her, and I just can’t be mad about that.
I don’t want to break this moment, but since she seems to be feeling a bit better, I wonder if she’s up for something different.
“Baby, do you, by any chance, fancy a change of scenery? A breath of fresh air?”
Leaning back slightly, she looks up at me, arms still linked around my neck.
“Umm… I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I don’t really want to see anyone.”
“No. I was thinking we could go to the waterfall.” Her brows furrow, but I see a little sparkle in her eyes.
“What, in the forest? Where we went to that party.”
“The very one. It’s usually quiet there, especially during the week.”
She ponders the proposition, chewing on her lip as the cogs spin.
“I’m not sure if I’m up for it today. After Finnigan and… Bartiste. And honestly, I could use a bath. I’m sick of just washing myself with a cloth. The doctor said I could take a bath starting today.”
