Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81374 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81374 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to let you go.” I squeeze my eyes tight. A part of me wants to pretend to be braver than I am, but I can’t help it. I thought I lost him. I need to feel the warmth of his skin, his pulse quickening against my fingers. I want to touch him, to assure myself he isn’t a vision and he’s here in the flesh.
I’ve been so stupid. So bloody stupid.
Before I know what’s happening, we’re surrounded by people we know and people we love. Nolan and Sheena heard the explosion and came back for us, but Keenan’s here, Boner, Tully, and Cormac, all prepared to find whoever did this and to avenge us.
“You alright, Fiona?” Keenan asks. “My God, what happened?”
“Don’t know,” Nolan says. “Get her back home and call Sebastian,” he says to Lachlan. “That was no fucking accident.”
Cormac sees something up ahead, and takes off at a run. Tully and Boner follow close behind. Lachlan watches them go, and turns to Keenan.
“My duty’s to Fiona, now, Keenan.”
Nolan speaks up. “Take her home, lad.” He turns to Keenan. “He’s claimed her.”
Sheena whips her head to me, and her mouth parts. “He’s fucking claimed her?” she asks. Nolan shakes his head sharply.
“Not now, Sheena.”
Lachlan gathers me to him and holds me to his chest. “I’ll tell fucking anyone the truth,” he says. “If you knew the circumstances in Boston you’d have given me your blessing.”
Sheena’s eyes narrow on him. I don’t say anything at first, but I can’t bear to see him under fire.
“And I agreed to it, so don’t you get on his case about it,” I say with conviction. “I fucking agreed to it.”
“Got her sister’s mouth, doesn’t she?” Nolan mutters approvingly.
“No more talk now,” Keenan orders. He turns to me. “I’m glad you’re alright, but I want Sebastian to see to both of you.” He turns to Nolan. “We’ll follow up with the rest when they return, but be prepared for a lockdown, aye?”
“Aye,” Nolan says.
Lachlan takes me by the hand and leads me to a waiting car. He brushes off the police and paramedics and promises a full report when I’ve been doctored up at home. Given he’s a McCarthy, they give him wide berth and agree.
He takes me home in silence, holding my hand.
“I love you, Fiona. I fucking love you so much.”
His voice cracks, and he doesn’t meet my eyes.
“I know you do, and I’ve been a fool, Lachlan. I’m sorry. There’s so much…” My voice trails off, because I’m not really sure how to explain.
“I understand, love,” he says. “We have ages to talk this through.”
He brings me back to the McCarthy Clan family home, and when I see the bright green of the grass, the flowers in bloom, and the depths of the Irish Sea, tears fall down my face unchecked. Lachlan’s holding my hand. He’s claimed me. The sea breeze rustles my hair, and I inhale so deeply, my chest rises and I feel alive again. For the first time ever, I finally feel I’m home. For the first time, I feel as if I belong.
“Keenan said he has a surprise for us,” Lachlan says. “Wonder what it is.”
“No idea. But it’s awfully nice of him, isn’t it?”
“Oh aye.”
“Come inside and let’s have a look.”
When we enter the front door, I’m enveloped in a bear hug from Megan. “My God, woman, what happened to you?”
I fill her in as quickly as I can. Sebastian’s waiting for us by the foot of the steps.
“Conduct your interrogation later, Megan,” Carson says from the foot of the stairs. “Sebastian’s been ordered to take them to their suite.”
I look to Lachlan. “Our what?”
“Keenan works quickly,” he says with a smile. “He’s got us ready to go here.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” I mutter.
Lachlan gets a call from Keenan and answers it. He speaks in short, clipped sentences, and I have no idea what they discuss, but I don’t much care either. I don’t question or ask what they discuss. I don’t fear it. For some reason, for the very first time, it feels alright to let him handle whatever they need to. I can let it go.
Lachlan leads us to a full floor on the west wing. The carpet’s thick beneath my feet, and large vases of blooming wildflowers sit on a table in the hallway. Lachlan opens a door and with a smile, gestures me in.
I blink in surprise when I enter. Years ago, when we were first rescued by the McCarthys, we stayed in a suite just like this. There’s a large kitchenette and a dining area, a living room with comfortable-looking furniture, oak bookshelves lined with books, and a fireplace rimmed in red brick. To the right are two doorways, but all I can see is that they lead to a bedroom.