Deklan

“I could just do some online shopping,” I say. “Then you don’t have to bother.”

“No online shopping.” Deklan shakes his head and then crouches down to look me in the eye. “You are never to do anything that may compromise this address. No online shopping. No pizza delivery. We’re going to have to discuss the security of that phone of yours as well.”

“What’s wrong with my phone?”

“GPS tracking. When it’s on, you can be located. I can’t have that here.”

“Don’t you have a phone?”

“Several. They’re all prepaid burner phones. I’ll get you one as well.”

“Those don’t have GPS?”

“All phones can be tracked if you know what you’re doing,” Deklan says. “Even with mine, I have to be careful about when it’s on and when I use it.”

“You have a computer.”

“I rarely use it, and there’s no internet connection here. If I need it, I use it somewhere else.”

I chew my lip, wondering if Deklan is smart or paranoid. Either way, it’s the end of the discussion. On Deklan’s insistence, I jot down my clothing sizes and he heads out to find me something more suitable to wear.

While he’s gone, I consider the differences between Deklan and my father.

On the surface, my father’s businesses seem perfectly legitimate. The Foley family also has plenty of legitimate businesses as well, but anyone close to them knows there’s a lot more going on, and none of it legal.

Deklan though…Deklan is completely different.

As far as I know, he doesn’t own a lawful company or work at any legitimate job. Maybe on paper somewhere, he’s considered “executive security” or something like that, but no one would believe it. I wonder if he even files taxes.

The medication is making my head swimmy, and I lie back on the couch to really think about whom I married.

He’s a killer.

All my life, I’ve been exposed to the criminal underworld but not at this level. My father was content with threats, which usually got him what he wanted. The Foley empire is completely different, and Deklan’s role is that of enforcer of the empire’s will, and that puts me in a confusing situation.

Deklan doesn’t want anyone to know where he lives. Why? Because someone might come after him. Someone might come here and try to hurt him. Where does that leave me? Am I now a potential target?

I can’t keep my eyes open anymore, and the next thing I hear is Deklan’s voice.

“Wake up. You need to eat.”

“Hmm?” I blink a few times. The lamp on the side table is lit, compensating for the dim light coming through the window. I’ve slept most of the day.

“How are you feeling?” Deklan asks after I’ve eaten the sandwich and soup he’s prepared for me.

“Better.” I lean my head side to side, stretching my neck. “A little sore.”

“I should ha

ve moved you to the bed.”

“It’s all right.”

“I’ll fix it.” Deklan stands and heads down the hallway.

I rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Using a sponge I find under the sink, I wipe down the counters and the stove. Deklan returns as I’m finishing up.

“Come on,” he says.