“One of them.” He glances away for a second.
A shiver runs down my spine as I realize he means what he says—he has actually killed a woman he was in a relationship with. I swallow hard and glance back toward the Viper. Deklan is leaning against the hood, watching closely.
I look back at Arden, and he’s still staring at me intently. He takes a deep breath before he speaks again.
“This kinda business—this kinda life—isn’t an easy one to navigate. We all get here by different roads. Those of us who weren’t born to it, maybe we had a choice and maybe we didn’t. Some people think we stay because of fear, but that’s not it. It’s loyalty that keeps us here.”
He tilts his head to one side and furrows his brow.
“Do you know what it takes to come between that?” he asks. “To wedge yourself between a man like that and the family? To strip away that which he holds so closely to his soul that he always thought they were one and the same?”
I stare at him, unsure if the question is rhetorical and unable to answer regardless.
“That guy there,” Arden says as he tilts his head in Deklan’s direction, “he’s a good guy. He really loves you, and I think he’d do anything for you. He’s not like me.”
“I know he isn’t.”
“Good.” Arden nods. He takes a step forward, closing the gap between us. I start to step back, but he grabs my arm and shoves the envelope full of cash into my hand. “Open up a scholarship in her name or something. I don’t want it.”
Without another word, he drops into the driver’s seat of the Camaro, guns the engine, and pulls away.
Chapter 40
I’m still overwhelmed, in shock, and not completely sure what’s happening around me. Sean has been gone nearly a month, and it seems we haven’t stopped to take a breath since that afternoon.
Business, business, business.
At first, it was all about letting the other organizations know that Deklan was in charge. Apparently, this was a relief to many of the local crime lords who had dealt with Sean. Everyone seems glad he is gone, and more opportunities keep coming out of the woodwork on a daily basis.
We relocated to the Foley mansion.
Deklan was hesitant, but Teagan can be even more stubborn than my husband. He caved when Teagan threatened to sell the place, and we moved in the next day. The bedroom is larger than our apartment, and there’s a fireplace in it. I had gotten so used to living simply; I’m not sure what to do with the extravagance all around me.
I suppose I got used to life without it, and I’ll get used to living with it as well. All in good time.
Brian married Lauren, the former prostitute whose pimp was mysteriously murdered months ago. They’re still on their honeymoon in Las Vegas, which I thought was pretty appropriate. Deklan paid for the expenses and gave Brian a bonus to go blow on blackjack tables.
It has been hectic, to say the least, and I’m not sure if I can cope with one more thing as I sit in the ginormous master bathroom and stare at a small white stick with a seemingly large pink plus sign on its display.
I swallow hard. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry.
“Babe? You ready?”
“Just a sec!” I call back to my husband, who is already dressed and ready for dinner. It’s our six-month anniversary, and I can’t believe everything that has happened in such a short time.
I have no idea how he’s going to take my little bombshell.
“What’s going on in your head?” Deklan asks quietly as he leans across the restaurant table and takes my hand in his. “You seem rather distracted.”
I shrug, unable to meet his gaze. If I look at him, I’m sure he’ll know. I don’t know how he will know, but he will. I decide on a subject change instead.
“What ever happened to Charlie Grange?” I ask. “I never saw him after…after that day.”
“That’s what’s on your mind?” Deklan leans back and scowls. “He’s never going to bother you again, that’s for sure. Did you really think I would let him just walk after all that?”
“So, he’s dead?” I ask quietly. Deklan’s blank stare tells me that he is.
“That’s not really what’s bothering you,” Deklan says. He leans forward again and sips from his wine glass. “Out with it.”