49. Liam
Paige and Declan climb into the back seat of the SUV. The airport staff load their luggage into the trunk.
“I haven’t told Emily about Caetlin coming to the US,” I say the moment the door is shut. My uneasiness grows the closer it gets to the party and to Caetlin’s arrival. I don’t know how Emily is going to react, but my gut is telling me it’s not going to be good.
“How has she been?” Paige asks, settling against Declan’s side.
The trunk slams shut, and Rhys quickly shifts into drive and pulls away from the private jet.
“She’s been doing great. She hasn’t had any issues with weaning off her medications, and Dr. Morrison is hopeful for her future.” I can feel Declan’s eyes burning through the seat and into my back.
“That’s amazing!” Paige exclaims with a clap of her hands. “Isn’t that great, Declan?”
“Yeah, I’m really happy she’s doing so well.” He says, his voice calm.
The tension in my spine seems to completely disappear. I’m glad I don’t need to defend myself against Declan again. Everything with Emily has been heaven and I won’t let anyone take that from us.
The clouds darken and soon the rain begins to shower from the sky.
“Great. Now the traffic is going to be shit. I swear, every time it rains people forget how to drive.” Rhys mutters angrily.
Not five minutes later are we sitting in traffic. Horns are honking and people are shouting at each other.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I send a message to Emily.
Me:
It’s looking like I’m going to be a little while longer than I thought. The traffic is shit.
Emily:
frowning emoji
Me:
I’ll make it up to you.
When she doesn’t reply, I pocket my phone and get comfortable in my seat.
“Do you think it would be better to tell her that your mom is coming?” Paige asks Declan.
I catch Declan’s eyes in the side mirror.
“Er, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I say, turning to face Paige.
Her brows are pulled inward, and she tilts her head to the side.
“How come?”
I scrub my hand down my mouth, the scruff scratches my palm.
“She hasn’t been really speakin’ to her ma.” I say and I feel the burn of Declan’s stare against the side of my face.
“What do you mean?’ he asks, leaning forward and resting his forearms against his knees.
“You’ll need to ask her about that,” I answer before turning back around to face the windshield.
Declan’s hand wraps around my seat and he leans in. “What aren’t you telling us, Liam?” he says through clenched teeth.
“If Emily wants you to know, she’ll tell you herself.”
“Let’s see what she says when we get back home, yeah?” Paige whispers to Declan. He releases the seat and settles back, pulling Paige into his arms.
The rest of the drive is silent.
Some of the men get to work unloading Declan and Paige’s luggage as soon as Rhys parks the SUV in front of the mansion. Paige and Declan are huddled in each other’s arms in the field.
Before their flight home, Paige had asked Declan to make a detour to her ma’s home and I guess the whole ordeal finally got her. She bolted from the vehicle and ran through the grass before she fell. Declan chased her and they sat in the rain.
Rhys had decided it was best to leave them be and we drove the rest of the way to the mansion. When they’re ready, we’ll have someone pick them up and bring them inside.
Emily swings the door open and steps onto the porch. She scans the driveway. Bringing her eyes to mine, she arches a brow.
“Where are Paige and Declan?” she asks.
A moment later, Sarah’s car pulls up next to the SUV.
She steps out and Rhys walks over to where she stands.
“Are Declan and Paige supposed to be sitting in a field during a rainstorm?” Rhys kisses her lips and then drapes an arm over her shoulder, facing us.
I squint from the rain landing on my face and eyelashes.
“Aye. They are havin’ a moment. Leave them be.”
“Is everything okay?” Emily asks, stepping down the stairs. I meet her halfway and pull her into my arms.
Ingrid stomps onto the porch and flays her arms outward in annoyance. She starts to curse us in Irish before shouting in English for Sarah to understand.
“I had Niall prepare dinner in the dining room to avoid being in the rain, but you lot decided to say the Hell with it and stand outside anyway.”
I peer down at Emily who smiles up at me. Raindrops land on her face causing her eyes to flutter.
“Dance with me?” I whisper, releasing her and holding out my hand.
“Now?” she asks, nibbling on her bottom lip.
“Aye,” I answer, dipping my chin.
She places her palm in mine, and I twirl her around. Her head tips back and she lets out a laugh that could thaw even the coldest heart.
From my peripheral, Sarah and Rhys are dancing and laughing as well.
Ingrid mutters angrily under her breath but when I meet her eyes, they’re soft and warm. She shakes her head and smiles before going inside.
Clothes sticking to our bodies, hair drenched in rainwater, we walk into the mansion and make our way to the dining room. Ingrid stands with her hands on her hips and a scowl.
“And who do you reckon is going to clean that mess?” she asks, gesturing to the trail of puddles behind us.
The front door slams shut, and we all turn our heads to see Declan and Paige walk into the dining room.
Her make-up streams down her face leaving a stream of black, but her eyes are clear, and she seems at peace.
Looking down, he chuckles at the pooling of rainwater at his feet and then down the hallway to the foyer.
“We’ll clean it up, Ingrid. Don’t worry about it.” Paige says, placing her hand against Declan’s chest.
She raises a skeptical brow at Paige.
“Promise,” Paige says tracing an x over her heart, giving Ingrid a big toothy grin.
Ingrid huffs before leaving the dining room and walking down the hall.
The six of us exchange glances before bursting out in laughter.