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“I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
I’m pulled into Daniel’s arms, and the whole day’s events cause me to crash, and I’m crying into his neck. I’m crying for the years we lost together. I’m crying because of the unfairness of this situation. I’m crying because he’s all I’ve ever wanted, and yet my mother and uncle keep tearing us apart. “I told them you didn’t kidnap me.” I mumble.
His hold on me tightens. “I know.” He presses a kiss to my cheek, and when I settle down, he leans out and holds my face. “I’m going to fix this.” His smile makes my heart jump, and I believe him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DANIEL
Iwasn’tleavingthishome without answers. Things were slowly piecing together. For me, I had thought that Lily and her uncle’s reappearance in my life was a coincidence; it was calculated.
I get to my feet and look at Sorcha. “I think it’s about time you started being honest.”
She folds her arms across her chest, and I hate doing this in front of Lily, but I can’t keep chasing my tail with this situation.
“I know Mike is RA.” I tick that off my finger. “I know he seems to have it in for me since he attacked my club in Athboy. He also paid one of the staff in Kells to claim that they witnessed me burning down my own club.” I take a step toward Sorcha. “I’m being accused of kidnapping your daughter and arson, all because Mike, for some reason, doesn’t like me.”
She still won’t speak, but I can see the look in her eyes. It’s one of regret and fear. Good.
“The night Lily came into my club was the same night my club was burned down. Your daughter is my witness; only now that I have been accused of kidnapping her, that alibi goes up in flames along with my business.”
“Mike is RA?” Lily says in a small voice. When I glance at her, I can see she really didn’t know. He’s not high ranking, but he has always been associated with them.
“Yes,” I answer, and Sorcha finally nods.
“He was only trying to protect her.” She finally caves.
“From me?” I jab my chest. I would give my life for her. I’m shaking my head.
“From your association, Daniel. Your family screwed over the RA. He was afraid that if you two got serious, she would become a target.”
“That’s why you sent me away?” Lily is standing and walks toward her mother. “That’s why you sent me to England? That’s why I could never come home?!” The pain in her voice has me realizing that she hadn’t just packed her bag and decided she needed a fucking adventure, that she was sent away, and it hurt her as much as it hurt me.
I should have done more to find her, but I had thought she wanted a new start away from me. Deep down, I had thought she deserved so much better than me, so I let her go.
“Yes,” Sorcha says and reaches back, grabbing a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
“I fucking hate him. Why has he had any say in my life?” I’ve never seen Lily snap, and to hear her curse startles not just me but also her mother.
“Don’t say that. He does everything because he loves you.”
“I’m going to the Gardai. I'm going to tell them he’s RA.” Lily erupts.
Sorcha pales, but I already know I won’t let that happen. She’s angry and lashing out, and that knowledge would only hurt her, not him.
“There is no point,” I say.
Lily looks at me, and I hate the devastation I see in her eyes. “Yes, there is. He might stop interfering in my life.” I take a step toward her. “They already know.”
Her lip wobbles, and I see so many unspoken words floating around in her pain. “I should have come after you,” I say.
Her lips drag down, and she blinks, tears spilling. “I let you go, telling myself you had enough of me and you deserved better.” I admit.
She hiccups on a sob while shaking her head. “I never stopped loving you.” Her confession makes every damaged part of me soar while trying to piece itself back together.
“Mike isn’t your uncle.” Sorcha speaks, smashing our moment.
Lily wipes her eyes as if she’s just remembering her mother is standing there.
