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Ciarán pulls me closer to him, shielding me from the grisly scene with his muscular frame. His touch, warm and protective, is the only thing keeping me tethered to the present even as my mind threatens to unravel.
“Shh, it’s all right, Tinks,” he whispers, his voice low and soothing. “You’re safe now. Did Thal hurt you?”
Shaking my head, I gaze up at Ciarán. “He’s in just as much pain as you are.”
Ciarán’s grim expression deepens before he turns his head to the side.
“Wh-what happens now?”
“We get out of here,” Ciarán replies, his tone determined. “We’ll figure everything else out later.”
As we move away from Mark’s body, my legs feel like they’re made of jelly, but I push through the overwhelming urge to collapse. I cling to Ciarán, his presence a lifeline amidst the chaos, and allow myself to be guided towards the exit.
“What about the other men you mentioned who betrayed you?”
He growls. It’s low and fierce, and I shudder involuntarily. “They will be as dead as Mark if they’re stupid enough to set foot near me again.”
Accepting that at face value, not having any capacity to process any of this, I cling to him, hoping to fuck I’m doing the right thing leaving with him and not running in the opposite direction.
The rain starts to pour down in another thunderstorm, relentless and unforgiving, as Ciarán drives me through the dark streets of the city. His hand is warm on my thigh, his touch never leaving me even while he’s driving, a constant reminder of the undeniable connection growing between us. I glance over at him, watching as his strong profile is illuminated by the occasional flash of lightning. He seems lost in thought, and I wonder for the hundredth time what secrets lie behind those stormy eyes.
“Almost there,” he murmurs, pulling me out of my thoughts. The tension between us builds with every mile, each heartbeat syncing with the other. It’s intoxicating, this dangerous dance we find ourselves in, and I can’t deny the thrill it sends coursing through my veins. Wanting to bring up Thal, to make sure Ciarán isn’t going to go after him or kill him or beat him up again, I struggle to find the right words. All I know is that I have to see him again. The need to learn more, uncover the pain and heal him is as strong for him as it is for Ciarán.
As we turn onto my street, I notice how quiet everything has become, as if the world itself is holding its breath in anticipation of our next move. My pulse races in time with the pounding rain, a symphony of desire and fear that leaves me breathless.
“Here we are,” Ciarán says as he pulls up outside.
“Thank you for driving me home.”
“Of course,” he replies, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “I told you I would prove to you that I’m the man for you, Tinks. I’m not sure I did that today but know I willalwaysbe there for you when you need me.”
His words echo through my mind, a promise that extends far beyond anything either of us can fathom. We sit there for a moment, lingering in the space between what is and what could be, the electricity between us nearly tangible.
“Would you like to come inside?” I ask, gesturing towards the door. It’s more than just an invitation to escape the rain; it’s an invitation into my world, a chance for us to grow even closer. I can see the conflict in Ciarán’s eyes as he hesitates, but I know that deep down, he craves this connection just as much as I do.
We stand on the precipice of something powerful, a forbidden desire that will envelope us if we let it.
Climbing out of the car, I close the door and stand in the rain until he joins me. Taking his hand, I lead him up the path to the front door, which banged shut but stayed unlocked behind me when Thal took me earlier.
“Are you sure, Summer?” His voice is low and uncertain, a stark contrast to his usual confident demeanor. It’s clear that he’s struggling with his desire to protect me from the dangerous world he inhabits while also yearning to be a part of my life. “If you let me in now, you’re letting me into your life because I won’t be able to walk away.”
“I know.”
29
CIARÁN
Nervous after she has said the words I’ve wanted to hear, I still can’t take that step.
Not here.
The heavy rain pelts against my face as thunder rumbles overhead. The storm mirrors the conflict, a tempest of emotions I can’t seem to control. Lightning crackles across the sky, illuminating the dark silhouette of her home, and I hesitate at the doorstep, torn between the desire to be with her and the knowledge that my presence puts her in danger.
“Ciarán?” she asks, her voice trembling.
“I want to come in, Summer, but this attempted coup with Mark...there’s a conflict now, and I need to go back and protect my territory. Anyone with any balls will have their eyes on the prize if I’m not there.”
Summer’s eyes widen, fear flickering across her face for a moment before she steadies herself. “What do you need to do?”
