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Summer’s gentle hands guide me into the bedroom I’ve been staying in the last few days, the softness of her touch a balm against the pain that pulses through my body. The bed linens feel like heaven beneath me, but I can’t shake the lingering dread coiling in my gut. She sits down next to me and strokes my face tenderly, her eyes clouded with worry.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asks softly, genuine concern lacing her words.
“Stay,” I rasp out, the single word revealing more than I want it to. I need her here with me, even if I can’t bring myself to say it outright. Summer hesitates for a moment before leaning down to kiss me, but I turn away at the last second, guilt gnawing at my insides as I do so. “I’m sorry, Summerbell. I’m just not ready.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” she reassures me, giving my hand a comforting squeeze. “We don’t have to rush anything.”
As compensation for my cowardice, I take her hand, and silently promise myself that I’ll show her how much she means to me when we’re both ready, when the danger has been dealt with.
In the background, I hear Ciarán pacing, his anger sharp and focused as he mutters orders to his crew over the phone. I know he’s furious about the explosion, and it only fuels my own rage. We will find out who did this, and they will pay. But for now, I give up. I need rest.
“Try to get some sleep,” Summer whispers, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead. “We’ll figure everything out tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I concede, exhaustion winning out over my desire for vengeance. As sleep begins to claim me, I cling to the warmth of Summer’s hand, her presence anchoring me amidst the dark abyss.
3
CIARÁN
All I can think about is finding the bastard responsible for this and making them suffer. Not only did they nearly blow up Thal, but Summer as well. And me, for fuck’s sake. But Summer is what really makes me want to hunt down this fucker and rip his head off.
This was a direct attack and whoever’s behind this just made a dangerous enemy. When I get my hands on them, they’ll be begging for death long before I grant it.
Unless Thal gets to them first.
My phone rings, and I quickly answer it. “What have you got for me?” I demand Luke without preamble.
“Not much yet, boss. We’re checking security footage where it happened, but so far nothing. They knew what they were doing.”
“Inside job?” It’s always my first thought. We’re operating blind and vulnerable until we can identify the asshole involved. “Keep digging,” I order tersely. “I want a name.”
Ending the call, I resume pacing, adrenaline, and fury making me restless. It could be anyone.
Summer watches me pace and eventually walks towards me, her eyes worried. I pull her into a rough hug before I let her go. “How is he?”
“Sleeping, so that’s good, right?”
“Yeah.”
“He should’ve stayed in hospital.”
“No chance, Tinks. He’d rather have been blown to bits.”
“Ciarán!” Her face pales at my crass words.
Shrugging, I don’t bother to apologize. I know my brother. The bitter taste of revenge fills my mouth. Whoever did this will regret it.
“Did you speak to the police yet?” Summer asks.
I give a derisive snort. “Yeah. I gave a statement to Dunston, but I know fuck all. Wasn’t even there.”
She gives me a fierce glare but doesn’t comment.
“And neither were you,” I state.
“The paramedics saw us.”
“They see a hundred people a day, you think they’re going to remember?”
