Chapter 11

My palms are sweaty as I grip the steering wheel. My mindset needs to change—I won't ever go back to being that na?ve girl, and I won't allow myself to be put in that position again.

I should continue attempting to run from the guys. But when I really think about it, with what I witnessed in the butcher shop, and then them covering up the accident for me with the cops, they can't let me go. Isn't there some Mafia rule like leave no witnesses behind? Besides, the new badass me believes: if you can't beat them, join them. And with three-and-a-half Irish men standing behind me—I say half because with Darragh, it really depends on the day—I can be one badass bitch.

My phone rings and Dolly's name flashes on the screen. Before the guys can comment, I swipe to answer the call and it connects to Bluetooth.

"Hey biatch, how is that beautiful nephew of mine?"

Dolly's voice comes loudly over the speakers. "I wouldn't know. Every time I turn around, Enzo's father has him," she says with a laugh. "And my nipples feel like they're going to fall off. Harps, do you remember the one time we?—"

"I remember." I cut her off before she can say any more.

"Harper," Cian singsongs, "what was your friend going to say?"

"HARPER—you do not have me on speaker phone right now! Talking about my nips, Jesus, shit, fuck. Cian, we used nipple clamps this one time and Harps almost ripped her nipple off. It must feel like that, the skin, it's bad."

Sullivan snorts from the back seat and Cian leans over to grab my tit, but I swat him away. "Stop it. My nipples are not sore now, Cian."

"Anyway, I'm calling because my sister is a tremendous pain in my ass. She would like me to remind you about a date with some kid."

"I will get it sorted. It will give me a chance to spend some time with Ronan, since he promised Pixie it would be okay. He can be the one to clear it with Enzo."

Jordyn laughs. "Trust me, right now Enzo will agree to anything. He is trying to be a hero, and he wakes up for all of Mars's feeds. It's cute."

"He is hot as fuck. It's a shame about his bloodline," Cian quips to Dolly, and she laughs.

"Same could be said about you," she fires back. "Are you serious about my girl?"

"Serious enough that if she runs, I'll chase her to the ends of the earth."

Jordyn scoffs. "I've heard that before."

"Dolly, his best friend dragged me back by my hair when I tried to run again. You have nothing to worry about—I promise I'm not going anywhere. The new and improved Harper is here to stay."

"Good, I love you, Harps. Let's catch up soon."

"I love you too. I'll see what I can do."

We end our call as I pull into the parking lot behind the butcher's shop. Ronan's car is here, but I thought he said he was going to meet someone about the bar.

"Motherfucker," Cian snaps. "Since when does he lie to us?"

Sullivan jumps from the car as Cian and I open our doors at the same time. With his head start, he has already disappeared through the back entrance before I reach it, but as I step through, I find Sullivan frozen just inside the cold room door. I study his face, and it has morphed into something which sends shivers down my spine. I have never seen him like this. Sullivan has never scared me before, but right now, the man I know isn't there.

"Oh shit," Cian says, followed by a nervous laugh.

Ronan is silently staring at Sullivan when Darragh walks in with Tim over his shoulder, causing Ronan to snap out of it, and shake his head.

"Why the fuck is he here?"

"Why the fuck is my ex-girlfriend hanging from the fucking ceiling?" Sullivan snaps, and that is when I notice a woman strung up and hanging from the beam next to a dead cow carcass.

The woman laughs, and I immediately want to hurt her. "It's a funny story. Did you want to tell him, Ronan, or should I?"

Stepping up beside Sullivan, I place my hand on his arm, but he shrugs me off. I can't say it doesn't sting, because it does. The bitch ex who took all of Sullivan's money and ran laughs again.

"Oh, the cold shoulder, honey. It sucks when he does it to you after he's built you up to be the most important person in his world. I guess it's time I tell him why I really left."

"Open your fucking mouth and I will fucking kill you," Ronan snaps.

"Someone better tell me what is going on!" Sullivan yells.

Cian links his hand in mine, and Darragh places himself halfway between Ronan and Sullivan. Ronan runs his hand through his hair.

"Fuck it," Ronan snaps. In the time I take to blink, he has his gun pointed at her, and my heart hammers inside my chest. I dislodge my hand from Cian's and run in front of the bitch. I hate her with every fiber of my being for what she did to Sullivan, but he loved her. If Ronan pulls the trigger right now, it could end their friendship.

"Don't even think about it, Ronan O'Brien. You put your big boy pants on and start talking. This bitch already caused everyone enough issues, so why let her come between you again?"

"Jesus fucking Christ," Darragh says. "The whore protecting the gold digger—isn't this a turn of events?"

I turn my gaze to him. If only looks could kill. "You shut your mouth, jackass. I'm not protecting her, I'm protecting Sullivan. He loved her, and what went down between them is their business, not yours. Now, Ronan, are you going to talk, or is she? Unless you plan to kill us both? If so, it was nice knowing you all, except Darragh. I could have died not knowing him and it all would have been peachy."

Ronan lowers his weapon. "Fuck! Fine, I paid the bitch to leave. I honestly thought if she loved Van, she wouldn't accept the money."

I make eye contact with Sullivan, and the look on his face shatters my heart. He crosses the room, his steps mirroring the thud of my heartbeat, and he stops in front of me.

"I'm so fucking sorry," he says, placing his forehead against mine. His hands grab my ass, and he pulls me up so I can wrap my legs around his waist. He turns sideways.

"How much?" Sullivan snaps, looking at the bitch who broke his heart. "How much was it worth to walk away from what we had?"

"Does it matter?" she whispers. "I just wanted to say I was sorry. I made so many stupid mistakes."

"I'm not sorry." He sighs. "I have the right girl now." Sullivan turns to Ronan. "Kill her, bury her, or do whatever the fuck you want. I'm taking Harper home."

He doesn't wait for Ronan to respond; instead, he turns his back to him and walks us out of the butcher shop. The freaky guy who runs the place is standing by the door, and he gives me a small finger wave as we pass. I bury my face in the crook of Sullivan's neck and inhale.

He places me into the passenger seat of my brand-new car and slips into the driver's seat, grabbing the keys from the center console where I stupidly left them. Remaining silent as he reverses out, his hand finds my thigh, and that is how we drive the rest of the way home.

Home—never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would call the O'Brien house home, but I guess it is now. It's funny how things can change so quickly. I was so dead set on leaving behind the old me that I didn't realize the new me could be found with these men. They are not part of who I was in the past; that girl was created from the choices made by my mother. No, these guys are part of my future, and the life I want to build for myself. Running won't solve any of my problems, and let's face it, I can find better reasons to run. Especially when I tell them to come and find me.

When Sullivan pulls into the gated street—I still find it mind-blowing they've gated a fucking street—and then into the driveway of the house, where the gates slowly roll open, I see it for what it is: home.

The garage opens as we drive up, and I smile to see an empty spot with my name on the wall. Sullivan pulls in and slips from the car. Once he comes around to open my door, he holds out his hand, and as I take it, he pulls me into his arms.

"Have a bath with me?" he asks.

"Okay," I say, and follow him through the house, to his room, and into the en suite. I jump up onto the counter as he runs the bath, letting my legs dangle, and watch as he tips something into the water. When he stands again, he turns to me, and my gaze is riveted on him as he pulls his shirt over his head.

"I shouldn't have reacted the way I did," he says, stepping closer. "I was in shock that Sam was back, and there, of all places."

He steps between my legs, and I lay my hands on his chest. I love the way his chest hair feels beneath my palms.

"How about we call it even? You know, since I tried to run from you and almost killed Cian?"

Sullivan chuckles. "Deal, you're one of the most important people in my life—maybe even the most important. When you ran, I thought I should have chased you. Then we could have run away together."

I can't contain my gasp—he would have run away with me. I slide my hands up his chest until they are on either side of his face. "Sullivan, I wouldn't have let you do that. But you don't have to worry, I'm not running anymore. I found what I was looking for right under my nose. Now I know you will let me figure out who I am, so you're stuck with me, and no amount of money could sway me to leave. You're mine, Sullivan O'Brien. Mine. Even if it means standing in the path of a bullet."

His beautiful green eyes lock with mine. "Please never do that again."

I nod because I can't promise him, and if he misunderstands, so be it.

He leans forward and his lips press against mine as his hand snakes up my neck. His lips part and I taste our mixed breath as our mouths move slowly, causing heat to pool between my legs. His lips are soft against mine and the slight hint of mint lingers against my tongue as it touches his. My hands roam the ridges of his back, and all the tension he carries vanishes beneath my touch.

He breaks our kiss and presses his forehead against mine. "Fuck, I don't think I could live without you. You're it for me, Harper Rae Daniels. If you even try to leave, I will follow you around like a lovesick puppy."

"Ditto," I tell him as he pulls me down from the counter and unbuttons Ronan's shirt from my body. "The others will have to deal with you following me around everywhere. It could end up being a full-time gig."

Sullivan smiles at me. "I'm happy to share you with them. But if any other man even looks at you, what happened today with your security guard will be child's play."

"Maybe we should find a female. That way there are no more unnecessary deaths."

"I like the sound of that," he says as he leans down and sucks my nipple into his mouth.

My back slightly arches as I push my breast into his face, and a moan slips from my lips. My hands find the button on his jeans and I flick it open, sliding the zip down and hooking my fingers on either side of his waistband. I help pull his jeans and boxer briefs over his hard cock and ass until the material falls the rest of the way to the floor. He steps out of his clothes and leads us to the tub. Sullivan enters the water first, and I smirk, knowing he wants me on top—thankfully the bath is massive—and when I step over the side and lower myself to straddle his body, there is plenty of room. His cock juts out between us, and I wrap my hand around his length, squeezing him from base to tip. He bucks his hips impatiently, so I line myself up and lower my pussy over him, slowly sliding down until he is balls deep inside me.

Languidly, I rock my hips, grinding my clit against his pubic bone as I look into his eyes. For the first time in my life, I make love to a man. No fucking, and no money exchanged for faking the girlfriend experience.

It's just me and him, here together, showing each other how we feel without words.

We might be in over our heads, but there isn't anyone else I would want here right now. I know I'm safe with Sullivan. I know he cares about my best interests, and I can feel how much he cares about me at this moment... and I hope it feels like this for a long time.

Sullivan guides me down to kiss him, wrapping his arm around me and pulling my entire body snug against his own. My movements are still slow and drawn out, and we kiss and grind together until I shatter around him.

I guess I jumped into the deep end, but I don't even care if I can swim because I know this man is right there to catch me either way.