50. Enslee #2
Declan was already skipping out on filming, and the last thing I wanted was for him to lose his role on his hit TV show when he’d already lost so many other things in his life.
I was pretty sure at some point that Brogan would forgive him, especially once he was free.
The sting of betrayal would burn, but love could eventually heal all.
I knew that because as angry as I was at these two men, I couldn’t forget my time with them.
Whether it’d been a lie or just part of their seduction act, the emotions still lingering in my heart were not a lie.
Brogan would remember the love he had for Declan.
The two of them were more in love than any two people I’d ever seen in my life.
The things that they’d gone through together.
The fact that they’d known almost every single thing about one another, yet each day was still interesting and beautiful, was rare.
I'd never experienced that in my life, and the closest I ever got to it was the time that I’d spent with them. And yes, they’d seduced me with a lie, but I refused to believe that every moment we’d spent had been fake. Most were, of course, but there’d been brief moments when it was real.
Despite that, there was no way I could stay in town once I’d helped Brogan get free.
I’d already told myself that once I was sure he was okay, I’d leave and move on with my life.
I already had interviews lined up, and as I thought about physically getting into my van and leaving the city limits, tears sprang to my eyes.
It’d been hard enough the first time, which was the reason why I hadn't gone far. Maybe I’d always known they would call me back.
Or maybe I’d just wanted to be close enough in case they did.
Brogan had assumed I’d run to the police that night, and while I’d thought about it, I couldn't bring myself to do it. The feelings inside of me were raw, yet real, and I’d been unable to turn my love on and off.
That’d been the reason why, when it came to my grandfather, I still stayed there too.
Perhaps I was a glutton for punishment. Maybe even a fool, but my bleeding heart had never wavered.
“Are you okay, Enslee? It looks like you're crying,” Declan said as he returned with a beer in one hand and a bottled water in the other.
“No, I just I yawned. I'm a bit tired, is all,” I partially lied.
I didn't know why I did. I could’ve just said I was thinking about what would happen once we got to New York City, but the last thing I wanted him to do was make any sort of promises based on emotion or sense of obligation.
These men didn't owe me anything, just as I didn't owe them anything. No one had intended for me to fall that night, so it wasn't their fault. It also wasn’t their fault I’d gotten amnesia, either.
If I'd have woken up in the hospital, I still would’ve had it.
“Drink this, then you can take a nap.”
“I don't want to sleep all the way to the city.”
“It's going to be at least four more hours. You definitely deserve a nap.”
I grabbed the bottle and removed the cap, then downed half of it before putting the cap back on.
Declan had already sat down and finished most of his beer.
Our bottles were then set onto the table, and I waited as he pulled two cushions off the couch and leaned back against them.
Afterward, he grabbed the final cushion and stuck it on his lap before he patted it as if to tell me to lie down.
“Are you sure?”
“Come here, Enslee.”
I crawled on top of him, then I placed my head against his chest like I had that first night alone with him back in New York.
His heartbeat, while still somewhat erratic, was beating at a much slower pace and rhythm, which meant he was somewhat relaxed.
Maybe if I actually fell asleep, he might do the same.
Another yawn struck me, but I didn’t try to stifle it.
Instead, I closed my eyes, then sighed as he began stroking the side of my face with his thumb.
“Go to sleep, baby,” he said. I didn’t know why, but the fact that he called me one of the same terms of endearment he used with Brogan made my heart swell.
It filled me with warmth, not that I’d delude myself into thinking he felt the same way about me as he did about the love of his life. Still, it felt nice.
After forcing myself to hide the smile threatening to break free, I closed my eyes, and it wasn't long before I’d fallen asleep.
Hours later, I was awakened by Declan gently shaking me.
“Enslee,” he said moments before his mouth moved to my ear.
When his warm breath tickled my lobe, I opened my eyes.
“Five more minutes,” I groaned.
“Five more minutes and Layla will already be in the car.”
At the sound of the blonde’s name, I bolted upright and realized that the plane had come to a complete stop. “Oh god, I’ve slept the whole way. Why didn't you wake me?”
“You were sleeping so peacefully, and I knew you needed the rest.”
“Did you manage to get any sleep?”
“No, but holding you helped me more than you'll know.”
Again, that same warmth from earlier returned, but I refused to buy anything into it. I got up and thankfully still had my shoes and everything else on. I saw Layla and Nash standing by their seats, and Declan and I soon joined them.
“What happens now?” Layla asked.
Declan responded. “I’m going to leave in one car, and the officer will bring the three of you to the station in the other. “
“You're not going with us?” I asked Declan.
“It wouldn’t look right for me to be there.”
“You know that he can’t show up to free loverboy or else the press will talk. Besides, it isn’t so hot when it's not forbidden. Isn’t that right, Declan?”
He growled. “It’s nice to see your sharp tongue has returned. My apologies in advance to Nash.” The other man smirked. “After the police visit, I’ve booked two rooms for you three at a hotel. Pierre has the keycards.”
“And about leaving this hellhole?” she asked him.
“The plane will be fueled and ready to take you both wherever you want to go once Brogan has been released.”
“Thank you, Declan,” Layla said. “I truly hope you believe that I’d never meant for any of this to happen. I didn’t think anyone would care I was gone.”
“I know. If I’d ever for a second suspected this could’ve happened, I wouldn't have offered the money. What's done is done, though. Thankfully, you’re alive so we can undo all the damage we’ve done. An innocent man will get released from—”