Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

GRáINNE

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Mallory says as she slides onto the seat beside me. Ailbhe, Hayley, and Chloe also come and sit with us. “I was worried about you and rightly so. Damn, Grá, your face is a lot worse than I had thought. Why didn’t you tell me what happened?”

I sigh. It’s weird; I’ve never had women as friends before. I’m so introverted that I tend to stick to myself. But Mallory has snuck under the radar and is someone I really like. I hate that she was worried about me. Growing up, Connor was the only one who really ever cared about me. That was until I met Jerry, and then things changed. I had someone I could turn to if I needed help.

Now, I have all these people who are here and want to help. It’s overwhelming to say the least. Mallory is Raptor’s old lady, Ailbhe is Preacher’s, Hayley is Wrath’s, and Chloe is Pyro’s. I’ve known Chloe for a while, since her mam is Jerry’s niece, but I haven’t really interacted with her much.

“I was scared, Mal,” I admit, something that I find hard to do even now. “I didn’t want anyone else brought into it.”

Mallory's eyes soften with understanding. "Oh, honey, I get it. But you don't have to face this alone. We're here for you, all of us."

Ailbhe nods in agreement. "That's right. The club protects its own, and you're family now, Grá."

"Exactly," Hayley chimes in, a soft smile on her face while nodding. "Plus, we've all been through some crazy shit. We know what it's like to feel scared and alone."

Chloe reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "You can always count on us, no matter what."

Their words of support bring tears to my eyes. I blink them back, not wanting to cry in front of everyone. This is something I’m not used to, but I’m so grateful for. "Thanks, girls. I really appreciate it," I say, thickly.

Mallory wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Now, tell us everything that happened when Bozo followed you home. I’m guessing by the crazed look on his face when he left that he finally admitted that he loves you?"

I feel heat creeping up my cheeks. “Yes,” I say, unable to keep the smile from my lips. They all stare at me, waiting for me to continue, but I hesitate, unsure of how much to reveal. I'm still getting used to having friends to confide in.

"He did," I admit softly. "But it's complicated."

Mallory raises an eyebrow. "Complicated how? The man's crazy about you, Grá. Anyone with eyes can see that."

I sigh, fiddling with the napkin in front of me. "I'm ready to settle down, start a family. Connor, I don’t think he's there yet." Hell, it was only yesterday he decided that he wanted to be with me, to fully commit. “I’ve loved him for years. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t loved him. He’s never once shown me that he loves me other than as his friend, until yesterday.”

The women exchange glances. Ailbhe leans forward, her voice gentle. "Are you sure about that? Because the way Bozo acted since finding out that you were attacked, it seems like he's in love with you, and more than a friend."

My heart skips a beat. "How has he been acting?"

Hayley chimes in. "He's ready to burn the world down, Grá. He’s not going to stop until he finds out who hurt you, constantly checking in with Jerry for updates. He’s beyond pissed that Jerry never told him about you being injured."

I feel a pang of guilt. "I didn't want to worry him," I murmur.

Chloe shakes her head. "Honey, I get that. I really do. But that man is so in love with you. I think he always has been."

I feel my heart racing at their words. I want it to be true. I have loved Connor long before I really knew what it meant. Our friendship has been something I have cherished, but loving him is different. I know he said he loves me, but I’m not sure if it’s real or if he’s just afraid to lose me completely.

“I don’t know,” I whisper. I’m scared, terrified that this is just a reaction from him because he’s worried about me, and that he’s not truly in love with me. This is too much. I can’t think properly. Hell, I can’t even breathe without fear gripping me tight. “I think it’s best if I go back home.” I don’t want anyone to get hurt, and me being here could cause them all to be caught in the crossfire of whatever the hell those men want from me.

Ailbhe leans forward, her voice gentle. "Grá, honey, I know you're scared, but pushing away the people who care about you isn't the answer. Especially not Bozo."

"She's right," Mallory adds. "When I was going through my own shit, I tried to push everyone away. I kept everyone at arm’s length. It only made things worse. Having Raptor by my side made me stronger."

I feel tears welling up in my eyes again. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt because of me," I whisper.

Chloe squeezes my hand. "That's not your decision to make, sweetie. Bozo's a big boy. He can decide for himself if he wants to be involved."

Mallory nods emphatically. "And trust me, he wants to be involved. That man is head over heels for you, Grá. Don't push him away because you're scared."

I take a deep breath, trying to process their words.

"I just... I don't know what to do," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

Hayley leans in, her eyes soft with understanding. "Talk to him, Grá. Really talk to him. Tell him how you feel, your fears, your hopes. Give him a chance to do the same."

"And if it doesn't work out?" I ask, voicing my deepest fear.

Ailbhe shrugs. "Then at least you'll know. But, honey, I've seen the way that man looks at you. I'd bet my last euro that it'll work out just fine."

Just then, the clubhouse door swings open with a bang. We all turn to look, and my heart nearly stops. Connor stands there, his eyes scanning the room until they land on me. The intensity in his gaze takes my breath away.

"Grá," he says, his voice rough with emotion.

The girls all exchange knowing looks. Mallory gives my hand a squeeze, offering me support. "Go to him, Grá,” she whispers.

I rise to my feet as Connor approaches. He reaches out for my hand and I don’t hesitate in taking it. He leads me outside, the wind howling as we step out of the clubhouse. It’s cold and miserable, but thankfully, it’s not raining.

"Are you okay?" Connor asks, his voice low and husky. His eyes never leave mine, and I can see a mixture of concern and tenderness in them. My heart races.

“Sunshine,” he says thickly. “Please don’t lie to me. Are you in pain?” His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb gently caressing the bruised skin. I wince slightly at the touch, and his eyes darken with anger.

“A little,” I admit. “But I’m okay.”

"I'm going to find who did this to you," he says, his voice a low growl. "And when I do, they'll wish they'd never been born."

I swallow hard, torn between the warmth his protectiveness brings and the fear of what might happen. "Connor, I?—"

"No, Grá," he cuts me off, his voice firm but not unkind. "I know what you're going to say. You don't want me to get hurt, that you don’t want me to do something that could get me into trouble. I understand that you want to protect me, but baby, it’s my turn to protect you.”

The hurt in his voice makes my heart ache. I reach up, placing my hand over his where it rests on my cheek. "Connor, I'm scared," I admit softly. "Not just of what happened, but of... this. Us."

His eyes soften, and he pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me. I sink into his embrace, feeling safe, just as I do whenever I’m in his arms. "I know, Sunshine. I'm scared too," he murmurs into my hair.

I pull back slightly, looking up at him in surprise. "You are?"

He nods, a rueful smile on his face. "Terrified. I've never felt this way about anyone before, Grá. The thought of losing you fucking kills me."

My breath catches in my throat. "Connor..."

"Let me finish," he says, gently. "I know I've been an idiot. I've wasted so much time, trying to convince myself that what I felt for you was just friendship. I made things even worse by fucking you and walking away. Friends with benefits was never going to work. It's always been more than that. I've loved you for years, Sunshine. I was just too scared to admit it."

Tears well up in my eyes as I listen to his words. "Why were you scared?"

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Because you deserve better than me, Grá. You deserve someone who can give you everything you want, someone who isn't broken."

I shake my head vehemently. "You're not broken, Connor. You're an amazing man who has the biggest heart I know. You’ve always protected me. You’ve always been someone I can rely on, someone to lean on.”

“My dad?—”

“Is a fucking dickhead,” I hiss, cutting him off. I watch as he raises a brow, a smirk playing on his lips. “He was a vile man who got off on bullying you. You are so much better than he ever was, Con. You’re smart—hell, you’re practically a genius—but that man made you think it was a curse, when the truth of it is it’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. I just wish you’d see that.”

Connor's eyes soften at my words, and he pulls me closer, resting his forehead against mine. "You always see the best in me, Sunshine. Even when I can't see it myself."

I reach up, cupping his face in my hands. "That's because I love you, Connor. All of you. The good, the bad, and everything in between."

He closes his eyes, taking a shaky breath. When he opens them again, they're filled with a mixture of love and determination. "I want to be better for you, Grá. I want to be the man you deserve."

"You already are," I whisper.

He shakes his head slightly. "No, I'm not. But I want to be. I want to face my demons and give you a life you deserve. A family."

My heart soars at his words, but I can't help the small seed of doubt that lingers. "Are you sure? This is a big step, Connor. I don't want you to feel pressured?—"

He cuts me off with a gentle kiss. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Sunshine. I love you. I want you. All of you."

I can’t stop the happy tears from falling. "I love you too, Connor. So much."

He wipes away my tears with his thumbs, his touch impossibly soft and tender. “I promise you, Grá, the man who hurt you won’t ever do so again. I’m not going to stop searching until I find him.”

I nod, knowing there's no point in arguing with Connor when he's this determined. "Just... be careful, okay? I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me."

Connor's eyes soften, and he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. "Nothing's going to happen to me, Sunshine. I promise. But I need you to promise me something too."

"Anything," I say without hesitation.

"No more secrets," he says firmly. "No more trying to handle things on your own. We're in this together now, Grá. You're not alone. I'm always right here beside you."

I feel a warmth spread through my chest at his words. "I promise," I whisper.

He leans down, capturing my lips in a kiss that's both tender and passionate. When we finally break apart, we're both breathless.

"Come on," Connor says, taking my hand. "Let's go back inside. I'm sure the girls are dying to know what's going on."

I laugh softly, allowing him to lead me back toward the clubhouse. "They seem pretty invested in our relationship."

Connor chuckles. "I bet they are."

As we approach the door, I hesitate. "Con... what do we tell them? About us, I mean."

He turns to face me, his expression serious. "Whatever you want. It's no one's business, and anyone who has a problem with that can go fuck themselves."

I can't help but laugh at his bluntness. "Always so eloquent," I quip.

He grins, that cocky smile that I've always loved. "You know it, Sunshine."

We walk back into the clubhouse hand in hand, and I can feel all eyes turn to us. Connor looks at me, his eyes filled with warmth and love. "I've got a meeting with Jer. I'm hoping we'll have some answers soon."

I nod. "Go. I'm okay here."

"I know you are, Sunshine, but I fucking hate leaving you."

I smile, unable to hide it. I love that he's being so open. "Go," I urge.

He presses a kiss to my lips. It's soft and quick, something I love, but I wish it was longer. "I won't be long," he promises me. He gives me a lingering look before he exits the clubhouse, Raptor and Preacher following him.

"It's about damn time!" Ailbhe laughs as I move back to where we were seated before. "That man loves you something fierce, Gráinne."

I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I sit back down with the girls. Their knowing smiles and expectant looks make me both nervous and excited.

"So," Mallory says, leaning in conspiratorially. "Spill. What happened out there?"

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "We talked," I say softly. "Really talked. He... he told me he loves me." Yesterday was chaotic, and I know that he said it then, but I wasn't sure if he truly meant it. Today, I know he did.

The girls let out a collective squeal of delight, causing me to laugh despite my embarrassment.

"I knew it!" Chloe exclaims. "The way he's been acting, it was so obvious."

Hayley nods in agreement. "It's about time he admitted it. We've all seen how he looks at you, Grá."

"And?" Ailbhe prompts, raising an eyebrow. "What else did he say?"

I bite my lip, still processing everything that just happened. "He said he wants to be better for me. That he wants to face his demons and... and give me the life I deserve."

Mallory reaches out and squeezes my hand. "That's huge, Grá. It means he's all in."

I nod, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "I know. It's just a lot to take in. Everything's changing so fast."

"Change can be scary," Hayley says softly. "But it can also be amazing. Especially when it's with the right person."

"And Bozo is definitely the right person for you," Chloe adds with a grin.

I can't help but smile at their words. "I hope so. I really do love him."

"We know, honey," Ailbhe says. "It's written all over your face every time you look at him."

I finally have what I have always wanted, but there's such a terror that lingers beneath the surface within me. The men who hurt me aren't going to stop. What happens if they hurt Connor?

That's not something I could ever live with. He's always been my rock, the man who has always had my back.

I don't want to lose him.

I can't.