Chapter 26 #2
“I’m with Cillian,” I say, smiling. “Rest is important, but so is support from your family.”
Gavin clutches his chest. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are. Because friends bring treats.” I hold up the bag. “Foot-long Italian, extra vinegar, extra hot peppers. Does that make up for it?”
His jaw drops, his good eye widening. “Give me that.”
I hand it to him, and he tears into the sandwich like he hasn’t eaten in days. “Oh my God,” he mumbles around a mouthful. “This is fucking incredible.”
My eyes move toward the Molloy brother I have yet to meet. He’s got dark hair and glasses and is completely focused on his laptop. He hasn’t looked up since we walked in.
“That’s Wolfe,” Lochlan says. “He’s tracking down who did this.”
Wolfe’s fingers fly across his keyboard. “Three men. One had a tattoo on his neck, Cyrillic letters. Running it through some databases.” His voice is flat and matter of fact. He still doesn’t look up. “A car was stolen from Dorchester two days ago. Found it burned out in Quincy this morning.”
“Wolfe’s the smart one,” Gavin mumbles through another bite. “In case that wasn’t obvious.”
“I’m also the one who’s going to find them,” Wolfe says. No bragging. Just fact.
“Wolfe.” Lochlan waits until his brother glances up, briefly. “This is Adriana.”
Wolfe nods once, eyes flicking to me for half a second. “I know who she is. I’ve read her company’s financials. Impressive margins.”
“Thanks?” I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be a compliment or observation, but I guess it’s good either way.
“It’s a compliment,” Lochlan says in a low voice. “That’s how he shows approval.”
An orderly arrives with a wheelchair. Gavin holds up a hand. “Thanks, bro, but I got this.”
“Hospital policy,” the orderly says. Then he turns to us. “We’ll meet you downstairs by the front entrance.”
“I’ll get the car,” Cillian says. “I’ll take him home.”
“Okay,” Lochlan says. “We’ll just follow you then. Make sure he’s all set up at home.”
Wolfe closes his laptop and tucks it under his arm. He falls into step beside me as the four of us walk out of the room.
“He’s better with you around,” he says without looking at me.
“Gavin?”
“Lochlan.” A pause. He adjusts his glasses. “I’ve known him my whole life. I track patterns. His patterns have changed since you came into his life.” He adjusts his laptop. “That’s good data.”
He walks ahead before I can respond, but a small smile lifts my lips. And I can’t ignore the belly flutters that follow.
We meet up with Gavin and the orderly in the front of the hospital. Lochlan and Cillian help to load Gavin into the backseat of Cillian’s car. Wolfe slides in next to him.
The ride to Gavin’s apartment is short. He lives in a brownstone on the North End.
We get him inside and settled on the couch and he complains the whole time.
Cillian came here early and set him up with pillows and blankets.
Wolfe sinks into the recliner in the corner and opens his laptop open, back in work mode.
“You need anything else?” Cillian asks.
“Yep, another sandwich,” Gavin says. “That first one tasted so damn good going down. And anyway, getting your ass kicked burns major calories.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Calories I need to replenish.”
“I’ll get groceries later. Real food,” Cillian says with a roll of his eyes.
“Deli meat is real food.”
I catch Lochlan’s eye across the room as the bickering continues. He watches his brothers with affection in his gaze. They’re what he fights for, why he fights so hard.
Wolfe looks up suddenly. “I’ll have names by tomorrow.”
“No killing anyone without me,” Gavin says.
Cillian shoots him a look. “You’re on bedrest. We can handle the killing without you.”
“I’ll supervise from the couch.”
I bite down on my lip to keep from laughing even though I’m pretty sure they’re being serious. Still… so adorable.
Lochlan shakes his head. “We should let you rest.”
Gavin struggles to smile. “Thanks for coming. Both of you. And next time you come, I’ll take another couple of sandwiches.”
“You’ve got it,” I say.
“And don’t do anything stupid,” Lochlan adds.
Gavin holds up his hands. “No promises.”
We say our goodbyes and leave the condo, hand in hand as we walk toward the elevator.
I can’t stop smiling. I haven’t felt this relaxed and content in so long, I can’t even remember.
The afternoon sun is warm on my bare shoulders as we head toward the Escalade.
I let my eyes float closed for a quick second while I breathe in the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers.
I laugh to myself. I literally am taking a moment to smell the flowers.
I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.
“Thank you,” Lochlan says once we get to the truck. “For today. The sandwich. The dress. Coming to see the car. Just being here with me and my crazy family.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I had fun. A lot of fun,” I say.
He turns me to face him, his voice turning husky. “Having someone who actually shows up...” He shakes his head. “I didn’t know I needed that until I met you.”
I rest my arms around his neck and rise up to meet his lips. He reaches behind my head and captures my mouth in a lingering kiss that makes goosebumps shoot up my arm and down my legs. It’s slow. Unhurried. And I never want it to end.
This man with his broken family and his prized Mustang and his loyalty to the people he loves. The one who stands behind me instead of in front of me, who looks at me like I’m not just intimidating, but beautiful and treasured.
My husband.
Oh my God… I’m falling for my husband.