Chapter 43
Promises Kept
Dylan
I finally have an answer. This wouldn’t be right if I didn’t find a way to complete my promise. Lucky for me, Ciarán is a little genius.
“Are you nervous?” Ciarán booms beside me.
His voice is almost as deep as mine these days. Ciarán now stands at about six one and counting. I don’t think he’s finished growing.
He’s one of my best boxers at the gym. However, he’s amazing with technology. He and Felix can spend hours on the phone. I’ve been talking with them to make this all happen.
Am I nervous? Yeah, but not about the end goal. I’m more worried about whether we’ll pull this off and if it will have the desired effect for Ciara.
“I’m good. You’re the one who has to wear that weird-ass-looking outfit,” I scoff.
He chuckles. “This is what’s going to bring him to life for her. By the way, this is so dope. I’ve always known you loved my sister, but this really says how much. Bro, if I’ve never said it. Thanks. Thanks for everything you’ve ever done for us.
“Thanks for taking me in like your own little brother and thanks for covering my ass back when I—”
I tug him into me by the back of his head, cutting his words off. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I love this kid. He doesn’t have to thank me for shit. I’d do it all again.
“What you did and what you were willing to do earned my respect. I’d cover your ass a million times over without you having to ask once. I don’t just love your sister. I love you too, man.
“You are my little brother, Ciarán. Long before we met, you were my family. Your Gaelic still sucks ass, but you’re the best little brother I could ever ask for,” I choke out.
“Yeah, well. I’m hoping to get better while I’m here with the uncles,” he laughs and pulls away.
“You’re really thinking about staying?”
“Yeah, Ciara has done nothing but take care of me. I’ve been thinking since you asked me to help you out. Maybe I’ll just stay for a year. Don’t worry, I’ll still train. Taegan wants to keep booking fights for me.
“Maybe I’ll be like my dad and train over here while fighting in the States. Ciara said I could have the farm in Ireland if I don’t want to stay here, but dude, come on. This castle is as fire as you guys’ place. Besides, the uncles treat me like royalty.”
I pat his cheek. “Whatever you decide, we’re always a call away. I’m going to miss you.”
“Enough of the mush. Ciara will be here soon. We should get into our places.”
I nod and punch my gloves together as I stand. Here goes nothing. Time to prove I always keep my promises.
Ciara
I’m ready to wrap my hands around Taegan, Dahila, and Lily’s necks. I had planned to stay in and sleep the day away. I’m wiped from the wedding and making love all night. Okay, who am I kidding?
Dylan spent the night fucking me and I happily took every bit of it. I didn’t even feel him get up and leave this morning. Instead, I woke to Taegan scratching at the door like a little cat. When I finally got up and answered the door, she rushed me to get in the shower and get dressed.
I still don’t know what all of this is about. My curiosity goes through the roof as we pull up to the McDougal castle. I hadn’t planned to come here on this visit.
My uncles turned out to be cool, but they are so stern and grumpy. Ciarán seems to bond with them a lot more than I do. It’s not that they treat me bad. They’re just … I can’t explain it.
To be honest, I think they like me. Deja has a relationship with them, but she did live here for a while before moving to the little village with our great-grandmother.
However, from the looks of it, they’re having a party or something today. There are a bunch of cars parked around the courtyard. Taegan rushes from the car and grabs me to pull me out with her.
“What’s going on? What are we doing here?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” Lily says with a big, goofy smile.
She really did want a little sister. She spends more time in New York now, with both her father and brother gone. Once Theo woke that night, Dylan put him to sleep for good and Theo was buried with the others in the cement poured out back for the new edition.
Lily didn’t have any hard feelings. She already knew the two were heading in that direction. It was only a matter of time. Besides, she met her boyfriend while working reception at my shop.
Our relationship has become stranger. She has proved her loyalty more than once since that night. I think she regrets not being able to save Sean, but she doesn’t lose sleep over it.
“You guys are starting to weird me out,” I mumble.
And then we step out into the backyard of the castle, and I freeze. The place has been transformed. There is a boxing ring in the center of the grounds and bleachers on either side.
The seats are already packed with our family and friends. Logan and Cole are in the front row, where these three are now dragging me.
“What’s going on?”
“Ugh, she told ya. Ya’ll find out soon enough. The sooner ya get to yer seat, the faster ya can find out.”
I shake my head and follow them. I sit between Logan and Cole. Deja reaches across Cole to squeeze my hand as she gives me a huge smile. Taegan, Daliah, and Lily are sitting behind me.
I can feel the excitement coming off everyone around us. I look around, trying to understand what’s happening. That’s when Dylan is announced and comes into the ring. I watch on, wondering what he’s up to.
I look over and see Ciarán step behind a curtain, wearing one of those suits they wear to create video games. Then the next fighter is announced and I can’t stop sobbing. If I didn’t know I loved this man before, I’ve fallen all over again in this very moment.
“In the right corner, in the blue robe and black trunks, weighing in as an ethereal presence, we have Donny ‘Killer’ Walsh.”
I break down and begin to cry even harder. It’s my dad. They have a surreal image of my dad stepping into the ring like he’s truly alive. Laki is even in the ring to remove his robe.
I know Ciarán helped to make this happen, which only makes this that much more special to me. Cole and Logan each rub my back as I continue to cry.
I wipe at my eyes so I can see what’s going on. Dylan and the image have an actual bout. In this moment, I believe in every promise Dylan has ever made to me.
This was the one promise I wasn’t expecting him to keep because it was impossible. I should have known better. This is Dylan.
The boy who waited nearly thirteen years for me. As the round ends, everyone cheers. I glance around to see there isn’t a dry eye here.
“Ciara, I made you a promise when you were eight years old. I didn’t know then how hard it would be to keep that promise, but I knew I would.
“I’ve asked your uncles and Ciarán for your hand, but I needed to fight your da just like I said I would. I hope you can accept this version of a fight. Ciarán did say he would come out here and fight me in the flesh if this wasn’t enough for you.” He laughs and winks at me. “Come here, baby.”
I stand up on shaky legs and head to the ring. Logan and Cole open the ropes and Jamie helps me inside. Dylan pulls me into his arms and dips his head to place his forehead to mine.
“I love you more than anything in this world. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ll be here to protect you, love you, and take care of you. Will you marry me, Ciara?”
“Yes, I promised you I would. Yes.”