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As we drive through the city, the glittering lights reflecting off the wet sidewalk, I’m consumed by my thoughts. My desire to protect Summer burns fiercely, but I know that doing so means confronting my demons – and the complicated bond I share with Cathal, as well as Caden. Our rivalry has just grown even more complicated, leaving me feeling both indebted to him and infuriated that I wasn’t the one to rescue her.
“Summer,” I say, breaking the silence again. “I need you to know that I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
“I know,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible above the hum of the car’s engine. “I trust you, Ciarán.”
Her words hit me like a bullet, piercing through my defenses and lodging themselves deep within my heart. Those three words mean more to me than anything else ever has, and it solidifies the fact that I will never leave her vulnerable again. I will never break her trust because that would mean shattering my soul, and it’s broken enough as it is. As we continue our journey towards my penthouse, the storm raging outside mirroring the one inside me, I cling to the small comfort of Summer’s presence beside me.
“So, I gather that this Mark guy worked for you?” she asks, startling me with both the strength in her voice and the blunt question. Whatever she was thinking about before that made her melancholy has evaporated, and now she wants answers.
Happily, I will give them to her, knowing she needs all the facts to keep herself safe.
“Yeah. Mark has always been an opportunist,” I say through gritted teeth, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “He saw an opening in you and tried to exploit it. I should’ve seen it coming, but I was too focused on drowning my sorrows. I can assure you that it will not happen again.”
“So, it sounds like he’s been plotting this for a long time,” Summer says.
“Possibly.”
“Two-faced, asshole.”
Snorting, I smile. “Yeah, no doubt. But I’m sorry you were put in the middle, especially during a primary ordeal. He deserved worse than a bullet to the head.”
“I’m worried about Thal,” she admits.
Gritting my teeth, I had a feeling this was going to come up, and I have to face it. “What do you want to do about it?”
Startled, she stares at me for a long moment. I keep my eyes on the road, trying not to give away any of my emotions.
“I’m not sure. Can I think about that?”
“Of course.”
She nods and looks away, probably wondering what the fuck is going on. But truth is, if she feels she wants to help him, who the fuck am I to stand in the way of that? One thing I’ve learned today is that bloodisthicker than water, and this rivalry, this hate wasn’t of our own making. It was that fucking asshole dad of ours.
Maybe it’s time to grow up and stop being so stubborn.
And maybe, Summer is the one to help us move past this and return to the brothers we once were so long ago.
30
CIARÁN
As we continue driving, the city’s skyline looms closer, the dark clouds hanging low above us. The penthouse building comes into view; its tall and imposing design is a testament to my power and influence. It’s a fortress meant to protect, but until now, I’ve never felt the weight of that responsibility pressing down on me like I do with Summer.
“Is that where we’re going?” Summer asks, her eyes fixed on the building as we approach.
“Yep. It’s safe there. No one can hurt you.”
“Okay,” she breathes, her hand reaching for mine on her thigh. She gives it a gentle squeeze, and I feel the warmth of her touch chasing away some of the cold.
As we pull into the underground garage of the building, I park the car and turn off the engine. The storm continues to rage outside, but within these walls, I can at least provide Summer with a sense of security.
“Let’s go,” I say, stepping out of the car with her bag and going to open her door. Offering her my hand, she takes it without hesitation, and together, we walk towards the elevator that will take us up to the penthouse – and into the heart of my world.
As the elevator doors slide open, I lead Summer into the penthouse, immediately struck by how different it feels with her presence. The once cold, sterile space now seems to come alive with warmth and light.
“Welcome to my home,” I say, trying to sound casual despite the pounding in my chest. Only my men have been up here, and even then, mainly on the outside. It was my sanctuary, but with her in it, it has become a small slice of nirvana. She looks around, taking in the vast living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern furnishings. I watch her reactions, driven by my sudden desire to impress and please her.
“Wow, Ciarán,” she breathes, eyes wide with wonder. “This is incredible.”
