Chapter 10
Connor
I ran a hand through my hair as I watched her walk away. Every time we kissed, it had my lips buzzing and I can’t figure out why. She wasn’t drop dead gorgeous, but there was something about her that drew me in like a moth to a flame. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This wasn’t the time for distractions, no matter how tempting.
I turned back to the kitchen counter, cleaning up the mess of our baking session. As I wiped down the marble surface, my mind raced. The kiss had been unexpected but not unwelcome. Footsteps had me looking up, hoping she had forgotten something. But it was only Declan.
“Hey man. Wanna give us a ride to the airport at seven am?”
I cringed. Seven in the morning? I felt bad for him and Wren, they had to postpone their honeymoon once again. But this time Declan vowed to her that nothing would stop them from going.
“Yeah.”
I tossed the dishcloth into the sink, not looking at him.
“What’s wrong?”
Declan stopped me with his hand on my arm.
“I haven’t learned a damn thing about her, and we keep kissing.”
Declan chuckled. “Okay. What’s wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong with that?! You told me to find out what I could about her.”
Declan’s eyebrows shot up, a mixture of amusement and exasperation crossing his face. “Yeah, but over time, like months. Christ, Connor, you can’t expect to unravel someone’s entire life story in a week.”
He leaned against the kitchen island, crossing his arms. “Look, I know you’re new to this whole captain thing, but part of leadership is knowing when to push and when to be patient. You can’t force trust, especially not with someone who’s clearly been through some shit.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know, I know. It’s just... There’s so much at stake here. The clan, the estate, everything Tomas built...”
Declan’s expression softened. “I get it, believe me. But think about it from her perspective. She shows up here, running from God knows what, and suddenly she’s thrust into this whole new world. She’s probably scared shitless, even if she’s not showing it.”
He paused, his eyes taking on a faraway look. “You know, when I first became captain, I was a mess. Trying to figure everything out at once, making snap judgments, pushing people away because I thought I had to have all the answers.”
I nodded, remembering those turbulent early days. “Yeah, you were a right bastard for a while there.”
Declan chuckled. “Thanks for the reminder. But you know what changed things? Wren. She taught me that sometimes, the best way to lead is to slow down, to listen, to build connections.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice serious. “Connor, you’ve got good instincts. But this isn’t just about uncovering secrets or protecting the clan. It’s about building a life, a partnership. Even if it starts out as a fake engagement, these things have a way of becoming real if you’re not careful.”
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at his words, remembering the soft press of Mia’s lips against mine. “So what do I do?”
Declan grinned. “You do what any good leader does. You observe, you listen, and you wait for the right moment. Build trust, show her she’s safe here. The truth will come out in its own time.”
He glanced at his watch. “Now, about that ride to the airport...”
I nodded, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there. Seven AM sharp.”
As Declan turned to leave, he paused at the door. “Oh, and Connor? That mille-feuille smells amazing. Throw a piece for me in the freezer for when we get back, yeah?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “It will all be gone by morning.”
As he walked out of the kitchen, I found myself staring at the dessert, my mind drifting back to the moment her lips laid upon mine.
Mia
I walk into the kitchen at the crack of dawn and Connor is still sitting in the same spot as he was when I left him last night. I know because the stubble on his chin is no longer the five o’clock shadow that he was sporting. Now it’s the beginnings of a beard, rough against his jaw.
His eyes are red-rimmed and unfocused, staring blankly at the empty plate before him. The kitchen is eerily quiet, save for the soft ticking of the antique clock on the wall.
“Connor?”
I say softly, not wanting to startle him. “Have you been here all night?”
He blinks slowly, as if coming out of a trance, and turns to look at me. For a moment, I see vulnerability in his eyes, a rawness that makes my heart clench. Then, like a curtain falling, his expression shifts back to the confident, soon to be clan captain I’ve come to know.
“Mia,”
he says, his voice rough with exhaustion. “Good morning. I was just... thinking.”
I move closer, drawn by some inexplicable force. “About what?”
He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “About how bloody complicated life can get in the span of a few days.”
I can’t help but chuckle at that. “Tell me about it. A few weeks ago, I was running from my home. Now I’m...”
I trail off, unsure how to finish that sentence.
“Now you’re here,”
he says simply, his gaze holding mine. “With us. With me.”
The air between us feels charged, heavy with unspoken words and possibilities. I’m acutely aware of how close we’re standing, of the warmth radiating from his body. My eyes flick down to his lips, remembering the kiss we shared, and I feel a blush creeping up my neck.
Just then, a loud bang on the counter makes us both jump. Rory stands there with his hands resting on a briefcase and a grin on his face.
“Morning, lovebirds!”
he calls out, seemingly oblivious to the moment he’s interrupted. “Ready for the big send-off?”
Connor clears his throat, taking a step back. “Right, the airport. I should go change.”
As he hurries out of the kitchen, I catch Rory’s knowing smirk. “Did I interrupt something?”
I shake my head, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach. “Nothing that can’t wait,”
I mutter, more to myself than to him.
But as I watch Connor’s retreating form, I can’t help but wonder if I’m lying to myself. That’s not true. I know I am. Because whatever is happening between us, it feels like it’s not nothing.
I help myself to a cup of coffee, and sit down at the island, blowing on the steamy brew when a sound behind me has me turning around. It’s Connor, swaying on his feet.
“Would you come with me to take Declan and Wren to the airport? I don’t think I should be driving.”
“Of course!”
I stand up. “Give me the keys.”
He hands them to me, his fingers brushing mine for a moment longer than necessary. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I have to take a steadying breath as I follow him out to the garage, where a sleek black SUV waits. As I slide into the driver’s seat, I can’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. This is the first time I’ve driven in almost a year.
He settles into the passenger seat, his eyes heavy-lidded. “Thanks for this,”
he murmurs. “I didn’t realize how much last night took out of me.”
“No problem,”
I reply, trying to sound casual as I adjust the mirrors. “So, I was thinking, once we get back and you get some rest, how about if we take a look at the USB together?”
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Yeah... that would definitely be a smart move. At least then you’d have an idea of who could be after you.”
Declan and Wren casually walked out of the house, appearing as if they had just returned from their honeymoon instead of going to it. They tossed the suitcases into the back of the SUV and got into the back seat.
“How long are you two going for?”
I asked, looking into the rearview mirror at Declan.
“Just a week,”
Declan replied, draping his arm around Wren’s shoulders. “Can’t be away from the clan for too long, especially with everything that’s going on.”
I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. I knew my presence was part of that ‘everything’.
“Buckle up,”
I said, as I backed out of the garage, then headed up the driveway, I could feel Connor’s eyes on me even before we got to the main road.
“You’re a good driver,”
he said softly.
“Thanks,”
I murmured, trying to focus on the road and not on the warmth of his gaze. The drive to the airport was mostly quiet, punctuated only by Wren’s occasional directions and Declan’s low rumble as he spoke quietly to his wife.
As we pulled up to the departure terminal, I felt a sudden rush of anxiety. I’d be alone with Connor again soon, looking at whatever dangerous information was on that USB drive. Part of me wanted to run, to protect myself from whatever storm was coming. But a larger part knew I couldn’t keep running forever.
“Have a great trip,”
I said as Declan and Wren got out, gathering their luggage.
Wren came around to my window, leaning in to give me a quick hug. “Take care of each other,”
she whispered, her eyes darting meaningfully between Connor and me.
I felt my cheeks flush as I nodded, watching them disappear into the bustling airport. As I pulled away from the curb, Connor shifted in his seat, his eyes still closed.
“Home?”
I asked softly.
He nodded, as he reclined his seat then cracked one eye open to look at me. “And then we face whatever’s on that drive together.”
“Right. But only after you take a nap.”
As we merged onto the highway, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. The morning sun glinted off the rearview mirror, momentarily blinding me. When my vision cleared, I noticed a dark sedan a few cars back, weaving through traffic.
My heart started to race. It could be nothing, just another commuter in a rush. But after everything that has happened, I couldn’t afford to take chances. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white.
“Connor,”
I said quietly, not wanting to startle him. “I think we might have company.”
His eyes snapped open, instantly alert despite his exhaustion. His seat bounced up as he twisted around, scanning the cars behind us. “The black Audi?”
I nodded, impressed by his quick assessment. “It’s probably nothing, but...”
“Better safe than sorry,”
he finished, his voice grim. “How far out are we?”
I glanced at the GPS. “About 15 minutes from the estate.”
Connor’s jaw tightened. “Okay. Don’t do anything obvious but see if you can lose them in traffic.”
I nodded, my palms sweating against the leather of the steering wheel. I began to weave through the lanes, using the other cars as cover. But every time I checked the mirror, the sedan was still there, matching our movements with eerie exactness.
As we approached our exit, I felt a surge of panic. The estate was close, but not close enough. If these were the same men from before, leading them straight to our doorstep could be disastrous.
“They’re still on us,”
I said, my voice tight with tension.
He cursed under his breath. “Alright, change of plans. Take the next exit. We’ll try to lose them in the back roads.”
I nodded, my heart pounding as I swerved across two lanes of traffic to make the exit. The tires squealed in protest, and I heard angry honks from the cars around us. But as we rounded the bend of the off-ramp, I saw the sedan still in pursuit, closer now than before.
“Shit,”
he muttered, his eyes fixed on the side mirror. “They’re gaining on us.”