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When it’s over, I don’t move.I stay pressed to her, our bodies slick and tangled together.My hand finds hers between us, fingers lacing tight.

I should tell her.I should say the words that have been clawing their way up my throat.But instead, I hold her tighter, pressing my lips to her hair.And I let her fall asleep in my arms, knowing she’s mine.

Aoife

The room is dark.The only sound is the soft rhythm of Eamon’s breath beside me.My body is still relaxed from the way he touched me—claimed me.For the first time in weeks, I feel at peace—wrapped in the scent of him, the strength of his arms.

But peace never lasts.

The shrill ring of Eamon’s phone slices through the quiet, yanking us both from sleep.His muscles tense beneath me as he reaches for it, his voice rough with sleep as he answers.

One second.That’s all it takes.One second for his entire body to go rigid.

He swings his legs over the side of the bed, his posture instantly alert.“I’m on my way.”

I push up onto my elbows.“What’s wrong?”

He’s already up, yanking on his clothes and grabbing his gun.“Obsidian’s on fire.”

The words are like ice down my spine.

“I’m coming with you.”I shove the sheets back, reaching for my clothes.

He stops me with a hard, unyielding don’t test me look.“No, you’re not.”

“Eamon—”

“No.”His voice is final, but I don’t care.

“It might be your club,” I argue.“But I have a right to know what’s going on.”

He closes the space between us, gripping my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.“You’re staying here.My guards will be stationed outside.Under no circumstances do you leave.”

I go to argue again, but something dangerous flashes in his expression.“For once,” he murmurs.“do as you’re told.”His fingers tighten just slightly.“I wouldn’t survive if anything happened to you.”

Then he kisses me, hard and quick, before turning and striding out the door.

I don’t move, standing there in the dim light of the bedroom, my pulse hammering in my throat.I wouldn’t survive.

I don’t have time to process what those words mean before a cold sensation prickles up my spine, the unmistakable whisper of dread curling around me.This was no accident.

The phone rings once, twice—then connects.

“Are you responsible for the fire at Obsidian?”I ask, skipping any kind of greeting, my voice sharp with accusation.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ruairi says, too calm.Too practiced.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” I shoot back.“People could’ve been hurt.”

“You’re right,” he says coolly.“And if you don’t break things off with your boyfriend and come home, they will be.”

A slow, simmering rage spreads through my chest like wildfire.

“I can’t believe how cruel and heartless you are,” I breathe.

“I’m not the one tearing this family apart,” he snaps.“That’s on you.”

There’s a beat of silence before his voice lowers.“Come home, Aoife.Walk away from him before someone gets killed.”