Page 7 of My Hope

He leaned against the railing, arms encompassing me, and watched the fireworks with me. The heat from his body mingled with mine. Our bodies were not quite touching, but my brain was aware of his body so close to mine.

“Come on, let’s go to dinner.” Wilder grabbed my hand in his again. Little was said as we held hands down the elevator and back to his car. And I felt comfortable in that silence with him.

8

Chapter 8

WILDER

Getting ready for tonight, I just wanted to charm my way into a night of great sex. If I could just fuck her then the green eyes would stop invading my waking thoughts. But I watched the innocence of her in the way she looked at the sunset and the way her face lit up at the fireworks, I decided that, for tonight, I was going to go into the rest of the evening really trying to give her the guy she deserves. Even if it was only for tonight.

So I held her hand back to the car. And I held her hand on the way into the restaurant. I paid attention to the tininess of it and how soft her skin was. She had filled the silence of the car on the way to the Hancock but she sat in silence just as comfortably.

Aideen was the name of my restaurant. Named after my grandmother, it was one of the few things that I personally took care of. It was not involved with the family. The restaurant itself was a little hole-in-the wall place. Brick front, with ivy growing around the dark blue door. And it was run by the Murphys, an old Irish couple. I felt comfortable here; the restaurant had all my favorites from my childhood.

We seated ourselves near the windows. Aideen was a perfect spot for people watching without being noticed. Couples were walking down the sidewalk and headed to the other restaurants nearby.

“Do you have any pets?” Anna asked grabbing my attention from the street.

“No, not since I was really young. I used to have a dog.” I replied.

“Luna is so important to me. She had been the most constant thing in my life for years now. Since my parents died and I’m an only child, it’s nice to have someone who is there for me. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

Anna’s affection for Luna was obvious through her words and the comfort that was shown on her face when she spoke of the animal. Her questions about siblings pushed me to think about the people in my life who I know would be there for me always. I could name one. “I have a brother, Quinn. He pretty much stays in Boston and I haven’t seen him in a few years. But I’ve got a brother here in town, not a brother by blood, but it’s no different. His name is Levi.” Even though it wasn’t much, this was more than I had shared with any girl before. Her genuineness and caring nature made me feel at ease like I hadn’t felt before. And realizing that made me uncomfortable.

As we were eating, the small talk continued. The little things that everyone talks about when they were getting to know each other. I tried not to let too much info about my work or personal life slide. I didn’t know if it was because I didn’t want to scare her off or if I was really trying to protect her from the darkness that my life was. But Anna seemed happy to do all the talking; she was currently telling me about her friend Alexis at work when the front door slammed shut.

“Sir.”

She glanced from the man back to me. I knew what she was seeing, looking at the man who approached the table. A rough-looking guy with tattoos all up and down his arms and neck. Scary. Shit. I knew this was a short-term thing, and anyone who looked up my family name would see the rumors about organized crime, but I was hoping to keep it away from her. Go on this date as Wilder, not as a Kavanagh.

“Excuse me, Anna. I will be right back.” I signaled Sean to follow me to the back office. “What the fuck was that?”

“I’m sorry sir. But I got some info on Dunne. I thought you’d like to know as soon as possible.” Sean replied, pausing for me to approve of the intrusion. After my silence, he continued, “His mother is in a home, and she has a visitor every Thursday morning. Looks a fuck ton like Dunne.”

Dammit. I did want to know that ASAP. But I was still pissed. “Next time you interrupt me you better fucking dress better. And don’t slam the door to my fucking restaurant.”

I went back out to the table and apologized for the interruption. The food had been delivered while I was in the back office.

“I hope you don’t mind that I started eating. This food is so good. How did you find such a tiny place?” It was such a refreshing feeling to have someone genuinely interested in me. Her rosy cheeks and delicate mouth down to the way her soft brown hair fell around her face, provided a picture of innocence that was softening me. The frustration with Dunne started to ease away.

“My family is Irish. My mother was raised in Ireland and came over to the States when she was 16. She used to cook all of her favorite comfort foods for me and my brother. And so when I was looking to open a restaurant in the city, I knew I wanted a place that I could come to and feel at home. The Murphys are old family friends. I brought them over from Ireland to have them run the place.”

“I didn’t know this was your place,” Anna replied.

“Yep, I’ve never actually brought anyone here before. I’m glad you like it.”

9

Chapter 9

ANNA

This date was going amazing. In front of everyone else, Wilder was strong, in control, and powerful, maybe even a bit dangerous. But he was starting to loosen up like he’d finally realized that interacting with someone else beyond a professional scope was going to be okay. If I wasn’t careful I could see myself falling hard and fast for this guy. I tried to keep the tingle from my toes, and the fleeting thoughts of lust from my mind, and reminded myself that this was a first date. And I still didn’t know much beyond his affinity for boxing and charity. I knew that he had 2 brothers and he had moved from Boston. I tried to keep my feet on earth, but it was hopeless.

And then the bad guy showed up. I didn’t actually know that he was a bad guy, but just his presence put me on edge. It was that same feeling when you walk down the sidewalk at night and someone walking behind you. That danger that you feel in the pit of the stomach. That was what this guy made me feel. He knew Wilder and Wilder knew him. Wilder was relaxed and more open before he walked over. And Wilder’s wall of power and control was immediately back up after he talked to the man. And his eyes got this cold, dangerous feel in them.

I attempted to break the tension after the guy left. And I think it worked, but I could still see the wheels turning in Wilder’s head.

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