Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

AMARA

“Wait, I don’t understand,” Emily says through the phone. “You’ve not only found Fionn, but married him? WHAT?!”

Blowing a breath, I hang the last of the clothes Fionn ordered for me, which arrived earlier, including the ones from my house.

“Yeah, basically.” I grimace.

Of course she’s shocked. I would be too.

“Okay, relax,” Lilith throws in. “She’s clearly been in love with him since they met, and I for one think this is romantic.”

“Aww, I agree,” Patricia adds. “I mean, he could be Fia’s father. I think it’s fantastic, and the fact that he’s rich? God, you’re never going to have to work shitty jobs again.”

So I didn’t exactly tell them the truth. Not that I could. What do I say?

Hey, so Fionn is actually in the Mafia and he kidnapped me to prevent me from testifying against him for killing a man. Totally romantic, right?

Yeah. Definitely can’t do that. But I can pretend we’re in love. That we were always meant to be.

Maybe you were.

“He’s been great to me so far, and he’s so amazing with Fia. He doesn’t even care if she’s actually his.”

“Oh my God, that’s so sweet!” Lilith gushes. “I mean, that’s a man right there.”

“Yeah, he’s special.”

And I mean that. Because I do like him. That part isn’t a lie.

But love? Can I really love someone like that?

“I’m just worried, that’s all.” Emily sighs. “Maybe we can come over to meet him soon.”

“It’s sudden, I get it, but I’m okay. I’m happy.”

“Well, I can’t wait to meet this mystery man!” Lilith says. “Does he have any hot brothers?”

“Uh, yes. Two. Tynan and Cillian, but they’re older and one is married.”

“How old is the single one?”

There’s absolutely no way I can allow my friend to date a Quinn.

“He’s forty, so yeah, way too old for you.”

“Um, you’re younger than Fionn. I mean, there’s how many years between you two?”

“Twelve…”

“Ha! Yeah, definitely need to meet this brother.”

I roll my eyes. “Sure, yeah, we’ll plan something.”

“Perfect!” Her voice laces with excitement. “Well, anyway, I think I speak for all of us when I say congratulations. Right, Emily?”

“Of course.” Her tone grows soft. “I love you, Amara. You know that. And I kinda hate that you’re far away now. I won’t be able to see you all the time.”

Being over one hundred miles away from one another will be one of the hardest things for me, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

“I know. I’ll miss that too. I’ll miss seeing all of you. But this is good for me and Fia.”

Glancing over, I watch her playing with a dollhouse Fionn got her. She’s been distracted for hours, jumping from toy to toy. I love seeing her this happy. I definitely couldn’t afford all this.

When I register the door opening downstairs and heavy footsteps coming closer, I start for the exit. “Guys, I’ve gotta go.”

“Ooh, hubby’s home,” Lilith teases. “Bye!”

“Have fun,” Patricia says.

“I love you.” Emily’s voice comes through next. “Call me if anything comes up, okay? Or for literally no reason at all.” She laughs, but it’s doused in sadness.

“Of course! I’ll talk to you guys soon.”

When they all get off the phone, I put mine into the pocket of my sweatshirt just as he comes into view, still in the same clothes he left in.

His eyes drink me in, yoga shorts exposing my legs.

“Come here,” he calls with a crook of his finger, his gaze seductive and brimming with heat.

My body coils, like it’s calling for him. And the closer I get, the hotter I burn. When I’m right in front of him, he clasps his palms over my hips, dragging me close.

“How was your day?” His eyes sear into mine.

“Good,” I whisper. “And yours?”

A smirk crawls on his face, his mouth dropping lower.

And lower.

My stomach tightens, body craving his touch.

“Better now,” he whispers as that wicked mouth brushes over my lips. He kisses me slow as his fingers ride up my spine, tangled in my hair as the other hand slinks between us, fingers pressing to my core. “I want to be buried balls-deep inside you, little rabbit. You’re my undoing.”

My hands grip his hard biceps, and the feeling of those muscles, how strong he is, has desire building between my legs. I’ve never experienced anything like this except with him. Both then and now. Nothing has changed. As though time stood still while we were apart.

Except it hasn’t. So much has changed.

“Daddy!” Fia rushes for him. “Look at my toys!”

He growls, nipping my bottom lip.

“Later,” he whispers before he separates, kneeling for her to jump into his arms.

As he lifts her, settling her on his arm, my gut flutters with butterflies. It’s beautiful to watch the way he’s embraced her.

“I know! I heard you got all these cool things.”

“ You got it, Mama said.”

He glances at me, hitting me with a half-smile that only makes me want to climb him up like a tree. I never realized how much seeing a man loving on your child can impact your libido, but here we are.

“Maybe we can play together,” he suggests.

Is he kidding me? Like, come on. Stop doing that crap! I’m not supposed to fall for you. Hello!

“Yay! I want a tea party.”

“A tea party sounds great. I’ve been thirsty all day.” He kisses her forehead as she giggles.

Yeah, I’m done for. I instantly deflate and accept defeat.

“You’re funny.” Fia gives him a toothy laugh.

He chuckles. “But before we play, I have a surprise for Mommy.”

Her little mouth pops. “Did you get her a toy too?”

“Actually, I did.” His eyes burn into mine, and I don’t miss the meaning of his words, a needy ache hitting my center. “But that’s not the surprise.”

“Oh?” I stare in confusion.

“Close your eyes.”

“Okay?” My brows knit as a tight smile forms.

“Wanna come help me get it?” he asks Fia.

“Yes!”

“Okay, let’s go.” His eyes align with mine. “And you keep those gorgeous eyes closed.”

My arms roll with goose bumps from his sweet words. “Got it.”

I keep my promise as they walk out, really wanting to know what he got me. I’m not one who needs much. He’s already given me everything. I’m mostly curious.

A minute later, I hear them return. The anticipation is killing me, but I don’t peek.

“Okay, open your eyes.”

Slowly, my lashes flutter open, unable to comprehend what I’m looking at.

My heart races, my vision blurring through the massive river of tears. Because sitting right beside him is…

“Max? Oh my God. Max?” I let out a sob.

He barks, rushing right for me when Fionn drops the leash.

“Max!”

I fall to my knees, crying without shame, hugging him as he excitedly jumps all over me, licking my face. My tears don’t stop, my heart unable to contain the love I feel in this moment.

When I look up, he’s watching me. My husband. Softness in his gaze.

And right now, a part of me? It instantly becomes his.

“How?” I whisper, holding tightly to him.

“I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Thank you. Thank you,” I whimper. “This means everything to me.”

He nods, jaw clenched. “I’d do anything for you.”

“Can I pet him?” Fia asks.

“Come on, honey.” I hold my hand out for hers while Max starts to settle, his tail still wagging.

“Max,” I say. “This is my daughter, Fia.”

He turns to her, gently licking her hands.

“He’s slobbery.” She giggles. “I like him.”

When she hugs him tight, it only makes me cry even harder. There’s no gift he could ever give me that would be more special than this one.

And no matter what happens, no matter where we end up, I will never forget this. Not for anything in the world.

FIONN

That night, I hold her against my chest, her hands curled under her chin.

Having her here, having Fia…it’s all I want now. It’s what I never knew I needed until they came back into my life.

But I want more. I want her pregnant. I want to watch our child grow inside her, knowing I did that.

“I can’t believe my mother and Xander did this. It makes me sick.” She sighs harshly.

My fingers trace up and down her spine. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s fucked up. But they’ll never hurt you again.”

She instantly peers up. “What does that mean? Did…did you do something to them?”

Fuck .

“It depends on your definition of something.” I lay a smirk on her, but it doesn’t work. Not that I expected it to.

Her eyes narrow. “Fionn. I know you by now.”

You’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.

I cup her jaw and stare directly into her eyes so she knows how much I mean what I’m about to say.

“When someone hurts you…” My thumb traces her pouty bottom lip. “They hurt me. So if you want the truth, I’ll give it to you.”

She visibly shudders, rising up on her elbow. “Is she dead?”

“No. But he is.”

She backs out of my grasp, slapping a palm over her mouth as she tries to sit up.

“Don’t fucking do that.” I have her on her back in a flash, my body pinning hers to the bed. “You asked me for the truth, and now you’re gonna live with it.” My lips drop to the corner of her trembling mouth, my fingers curling around her pretty little throat. “I am who I am. There’s no changing that. And you’re my wife now. You need to understand I would never let anyone hurt you and get away with it. Your mother is lucky all I did was leave a bullet in her foot.”

“Oh my God!” She cowers, her fear intensifying.

The same fear I saw when I came to kill her.

I squeeze her throat tighter. “I’d do it again.” My mouth falls over hers in a soft kiss. One she doesn’t return. “No one hurts my girl.”

“I don’t want you killing anyone for me.”

“You don’t get a choice. That’s not how this works, mo ban dia. Once you became my wife, I made a promise to cherish and protect you.” I lay another kiss on her jaw. “This is how I do it.”

“That’s not normal.” She shakes her head, tears filling her eyes. “One day, you’ll be the one who dies. What will I say to Fia then?”

The pulse in my temple beats louder at the thought of never seeing them again. “You’ll tell her that I loved her from the moment I met her.”

Her chin trembles.

“Don’t cry, baby.” I wipe the tears trapped in her lower lashes. “I never wanna see you cry.”

“Then don’t kill anyone else for me.” She breathes out harshly. “When you’re being all sweet…” Her voice drops. “I almost forget who you are for just a moment, and that’s when I breathe a little easier.”

Releasing a sigh, I flip onto my back, staring up at the ceiling, while she keeps a small distance between us.

“I’m sorry, but this is who I am.” My eyes flip to hers. “Your husband. And this is for life, baby, and that’s all there is to it.”

Even though I know keeping you is the most selfish thing I’ve ever done. But sometimes a man has to be selfish to get what he wants.

Without waiting for a reply, I turn off the lights and catch her heavy inhales, both of us awake for a while before she falls asleep.

I lie there after, watching her, fingers gently drifting down her hip. Hoping that, with time, she accepts me for who I am.