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I’ve felt this before, on a lesser level, when we were in the clinic. But she didn’t know who I was then, and I wasn’t at my best.
Now, we see one another on a very different level.
My pulse pounds a lot faster as I slowly drag my eyes up her body, drinking in every inch of her. We’re in the danger zone here, pushing the boundaries that shouldn’t be touched, and I can’t pull back however hard I try.
The world seems to slow down around us as my eyes lock into hers.
Everything else fades away into nothingness. It’s just me and her, with the world spinning around us, insane emotions ricocheting through my body.
This is why I shouldn’t be left on my own with a woman.
It always leads to trouble.
“I don’t take kindly to disrespect,” I murmur in a gravelly tone of voice, leaning in so close so she can feel my breath tickling all over her. Much as I know this is trouble, I still need to see her reaction to me. “Any more of that and you will be punished.”
I can almost see the shudder tearing down her spine.
Now I’m the one with the shit eating grin on my face. But at least I’m just toying with the woman I’ve kidnapped. If it were Hudson, he would have done something terrible to her by now, I just know it.
And that’s why I took her.
To protect her from him. From everyone.
“Punished?” She cocks her head to one side. “What do you mean by that?”
I run my finger down her cheek, watching the fire dancing in her gaze. I could easily throw some petrol on that fire, to make it burn brighter.
Or I could splash ice cold water on her instead.
“You don’t want to find out, Emma.”
She stiffens her spine, determination flowing through her. “Maybe I do.”
FIVE
EMMA
The water cascades over my body, healing the aches that have been bothering me ever since I first got here.
Not because Owen hurt me so much, but he did drag me through the streets and shove me into his car. I’m definitely suffering the ramifications of that.
But as I slide deeper under the water and I let my eyes fall closed, it isn’t any of that troubling me. Truth be told, I’m not panicking about anything Owen-related.
Instead, I’m taken back in time to a few months back, the last time I was in Ireland.
I knew it was about to be a serious conversation. To have my dad and all four of my older brothers in the same room with me, was so rare, it made me feel all on edge.
Probably not the best way to feel around my family, but it’s always been that way. They’ve spent way too long trying to shade me from their life, even though I’ve always kinda known that they aren’t… you know, the heroes in anyone’s story.
The only reason I was eventually—after lots of arguments—allowed to go to New York City and to nursing school was to be able to patch up wounds, and to send back any information I hear.
Nothing to do with my dreams of course…
“So, Emma, the reason I wanted you to come back to Ireland,” Dad started, with a darkness in his gaze. “Is because it’s time for you to get married.”
“Married?” I exclaimed in shock, dropping my fork, causing a loud clatter on the plate. “What do you mean?”
“Rickie Flynn Junior has expressed interest in you, and youknowhow good that would be for us. He’s the second son to the Flynn’s Mafia Family, so if you wed him, it will help increase our power in Ireland.” Dad smiled, trying to sell this to me like I was going to love it. “Plus, we get to have you back here.”
