Chapter 37
Cillian
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“I’ve gone over the business plans. Everything is in order,” Seamus announces with a wide smile.
“Perfect, Uncle.”
“We’re looking at closing the year off with a good profit and starting strong next year. I’m happy with this projection. Even more so because we don’t work with people like the Gallaghers. Your father would be proud, lad.”
Now I smile. “Thanks, and thanks to you. You keep me grounded, Seamus.”
“I’m glad I can help. And you can trust me to run the bank and the shipping company while you’re in Ireland.”
“You know I trust you.”
“I’m just reassuring you.”
I’m taking Chloe to Ireland for a month. I wanted her to have some fun and see my home away from home before she opens the doors to her dance school next month.
Next month is also the marker for when we were supposed to get divorced, so we’re thinking of our trip as our second honeymoon. A celebration of renewing our love.
We’re flying out in a few hours, and I can’t wait to have my wife all to myself. It will be even better to be away with her for an entire month.
“Is there anything else we need to go over?” Seamus scans my desk, which is tidy for once.
“No. I think we’re good. I’m going to head out now. See you when I get back.”
“Have the very best time.” He holds his hand out to shake mine, but I give him a hug instead, surprising him like I used to when I was a kid.
If not for him, I would have messed everything up with Chloe. I would have lost her forever, and who knows how things would have turned out with Lance. I might have lost her in the way I feared the most.
I don’t trust that I would have come to the same conclusion of staying with her if not for Seamus and his wisdom.
“Thank you, Seamus, for everything.”
“Anytime.”
I grab my jacket and head out.
When I get in my car and pull out on to the road, I’m glad I’ve left early enough so there’s no traffic to slow me down.
Unlike a usual day when I’m stuck for a good hour or so, I should be in the Hamptons within forty minutes.
This entire year has been one big roller-coaster ride where at times I felt like I’d never get off. It was either one everlastingly huge loop after another or several big drops. But I’m grateful for whatever force pushed me into Chloe’s direction.
Sometimes I think of that first day we met and my obsession that followed after I took one look at her.
I never knew life would lead me here, though. When I think back, I know Chloe grounded me during that time I was searching for Lance and failing.
She grounded me even more in the aftermath as I worked to make sure the threat was completely over after Lance’s death.
The man was a clever motherfucker, but he was also psychotic. The flaw that all psychos have in common is that they’re always too sure of themselves. That day I killed him, he was so sure his plan would work that he didn’t bring his men with him.
He thought he could slip in and out of Chloe’s mom’s house unnoticed and accomplish the goal of killing me, as well as killing Chloe and her mother.
The only person he meant to keep alive is Roxanne. Then he might have been the kind of sick fuck who would kidnap her or continue to live the lie that he was her Adrian.
I’m just glad it’s all over now. For all of us.
I can finally lay my parents to rest in my mind and my heart doesn’t feel like a battered ship at sea in a tempestuous storm.
Finally, I’m able to breathe for what feels like the first time in forever, and I look forward to having fun with my wife.
In the spirit of laying things to rest for her too, I sent Nathan a present in prison in the form of a sicko who was more monstrous than him. He broke Nathan’s legs. In a place like that you won’t last long if you can’t move around. His days are basically numbered.
When I told Chloe what I did she looked like she could move on from the past too.
I pull up on my drive in record time and head inside the house.
When I’m nearly at the bedroom door, I’m greeted with the scent of honey and roses. I push the door open and find my gorgeous wife sprawled out on the bed, naked and waiting for me.
All thoughts of everything that’s not her fly out of my mind.
Chloe lifts her head and smiles at me, her skin still shining with that warm afterglow from our wild love-making this morning.
“We’re going to be late, aren’t we?” I ask as I make my way over to her.
“That depends on how quick you can be.”
“Quick?” I quirk a hard brow and scan her naked perfect body. “Baby, when I touch you, I can’t be quick. You know how I love to taste every single part of you.”
I run my finger over the smooth skin of her stomach, and when I reach her breasts, I circle her nipples, making her giggle.
“Maybe I like that. Maybe I love that you like to take your time with me.”
“Then we’re going to be late, lass.”
“C’mere, then. I need you.” The smile she gives me tells me we might be here all night. I don’t mind that either.
I take my clothes off and join her. Then I grab her hips, guide my cock to her delicious entrance, and join with her.
Nothing on earth feels better than this. Being inside her, making her mine, and falling in love with her again, and again, and again.