Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
DECLAN
I run my thumb along the rim of my glass. Condensation drips down the side. The music on the dance floor thrums, the black interior of The Craic teeming with life.
Christ, I’ve missed coming here. I love The Craic. What I really want is to bring Bridget here. I will. I'm going to find a way, even if I'm playing with fucking fire.
But I’m nervous as a fucking lad facing the consequences of his actions.
Cavin's been distracted since we got here, and I still haven't gotten to the real reason I asked to speak with him because the moment he walks in, everyone wants a piece of him.
The bartender has something to discuss; Lorcan greets him and shows him a problem with the security system, and even Ashland says he's been meaning to catch up. Colm’s quiet, talking to no one and listening to everybody as always.
Before I know it, an hour’s passed, and I’ve barely gotten a word in.
Maybe this wasn't the best place to tell him… Bridget’s carrying my baby.
The plan was to tell Seamus. Hierarchy, respect, and all that. Seamus arranged the alliance. Seamus will need to know that his carefully constructed plan has a… complication.
Problem is, I’ve never wanted anything as badly as I want to fix this, all of it.
I need to tell Seamus, and I will, but maybe it's better to tell Cavin first. That’s the move. We've always had each other's backs.
Maybe he'll keep Seamus from murdering me when I tell him about my impending fatherhood.
Or maybe he’ll kick my arse and hand me over to Seamus for the kill.
I glance sideways at him across the table. He’s frowning at something on his phone, entirely unaware that I’m sitting next to him, trying to figure out how to be the right man for everyone who needs me simultaneously.
I eye Cavin’s Guinness and imagine what it would be like to take a sip, before I remind myself I broke those bonds that held me to liquor.
“Sorry, mate.” Cavin comes over and sits down at the table. He sees me eyeing his drink and jerks his chin toward the Guinness. “Y’ever feel the temptation anymore?”
“Every fucking day,” I tell him, drinking my water and wishing it were something stronger. I lift two fingers to the passing waiter and order a Coke.
“You’re still off it, then,” Cavin says to me, but he doesn't ask why. Maybe he knows why. Maybe I like the fact that the sickly sweet drink reminds me of her every time, every damn day.
It's a battle to stay sober. Always is. Tonight, the call to just give in screams louder than usual.
But I didn't come this far to torch it.
“Proud of you, brother,” he says. I wonder if he'll still be proud of me when I tell him Bridget's pregnant.
“What did we need to talk about?” he says, leaning across the table. “How's Valentina?”
“Eh, she’s grand,” I say with a shrug. She is, I reckon. Every damn day, she texts about the wedding. I don't forget that conversation we had before, when she told me I'd better not fuck this up because she's not marrying the arsehole from Prague. I know it.
“Bronwyn keeps going on and on,” Cavin says. “Says she doesn't trust her, but I can’t say she’d trust anyone outside the family she didn’t know beforehand.”
“She trusted Bianca and Erin.”
Cavin nods. “Well. That’s true, isn’t it?”
“Bridget’s worried about Valentina’s socials.”
“And who the fuck cares?” Cavin says. “Those girls these days think too much of what they scroll. What you see online is all curated, isn't it?” I nod. Cavin hates social media because of the way people treated Erin when their engagement was announced.
“About Bridget,” I begin. Cavin's eyebrows rise a little.
“She alright? Erin says she met with Rosenberg. Seems the phone call I made got through to him.”
“You called him too?”
“Of course I did. I was worried about the lass. She was dragging her damn feet on calling him, wasn't she?”
“Aye.” Cavin nods in agreement. “Apparently, she's not having a relapse, is she?”
“No. He's checked her labs. She's fine, thankfully.”
Fine for now.
I take a deep breath, then lean in and look around to make sure nobody's nearby. I just need to tell him. He just needs to know.
“The thing is, Cav,” I say, clearing my throat.
He waits, perplexed, that divot between his brows deepening, when his phone rings.
With a frown, he looks down at it. “Jesus. Sorry, mate, gotta take this. It’s Erin.” If it wasn't his wife, he'd send it to voicemail, but he has to take it.
I curse Erin under my breath, even though I love her like a sister, because why is she calling now of all times?
Cavin taps the ringer. “Yeah, love?” In seconds, he's on his feet, panic sweeping across his face. Cavin never panics.
“What the fuck?” he says, running his fingers through his hair. “Is he alright? Medics have got there. Oh my god, Erin, did she?” He covers the speaker and talks to me. “It’s Da.”
No.
Cavin’s already up and gathering his things. “Aye, of course I'm on my way. Have you talked to Seamus? No. Of course you called me first. I get it. Alright, lass. You and Bridget take care. We’re on our way.”
Bridget? Now I'm on my feet.
“What happened?” I ask before he's even hung up the phone.
“Da,” Cavin says, sliding his phone into his back pocket. “Seems he had a serious breathing issue. They had to call the medics. Bridget helped, though, Erin says. I'm not entirely sure what happened, except that he's on his way to the hospital now.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “I'm sorry, mate. I know you wanted to talk.”
“Go to the hospital. See your father. Come on, I'll call mine.”
Bridget would say there are no accidents, that the universe has my back, that the universe didn't want me to tell Cavin right now.
“Wait. You say Bridget helped?” I grab my things and follow him out to where we parked.
“Aye, but I’m not too clear how.”
I call Bridget, and she answers straight away. “Hey,” she says in a low voice, like she’s afraid someone might overhear.
“What happened?”
She tells me everything. “Bronwyn and I did some research, so I kind of knew what to do. It helps, you know, to help somebody else.” She says it quietly, and I know exactly what she means.
“Erin says you were brilliant. According to Cavin.”
“Maybe. Didn't take much. I just had to remind him to slow down his breathing. It was a dangerous situation.” Her voice is so sweet.
How the fuck am I going to tell Cavin?
“It definitely helped Caitlin's nerves,” Bridget says. “She was nervous as hell.”
“Of course she was. It's her husband.” I've watched my uncle and aunt over the years. Decades of love. Cavin unlocks his door. “I need to go.”
“Aye, I know,” she says softly. “I’ll… see you soon.”
I hang up the phone and slide into the passenger seat. One thing is crystal clear. Bridget belongs here. I just don't know how and don’t know when. But I have to find a way.
Cavin drives like a bat out of hell, and minutes later, we pull to a screeching halt outside the hospital.
“You coming in, brother?” he says. “I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to tell me what you needed to talk about.”
“I will,” I tell him. “I promise.”