Page 18 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

“I hope so. He should be in prison for vehicular homicide,” Declan said.

“ That charge specifically addresses deaths caused by the operation of a vehicle while impaired.”He stared at her.

“It’s what he should have gotten. He killed her.

I was so angry that he got away with it.

I almost confronted the judge but thought better of it. ”

“I’m so sorry about your friend.”

“It’s been three years, and it still bothers me. She didn’t deserve that. No one does.”

“You’re so right.”

The server soon returned with their meals on a round tray that he set up, then lifted the plates and placed them in front of them.

“Enjoy your meals.”

“Thank you, I’m sure we will,” Declan said.

“Oh, this smells heavenly,” Elise said with a sigh.

“It’s as good as it smells.” Declan picked up his fork and knife, cut into his steak, speared a piece, and groaned as he chewed it. He looked at Elise to see her looking at his plate. “What?”

“You like it to moo when you eat it?”

Declan chuckled. “People have such a misconception about that. It’s not blood.”

“Well, it certainly looks like it.” She shuddered.

“Woman, you have no idea how good and tender this steak is. Cooking it much longer spoils the flavor.”

“Whatever. There is no way.” She shook her head.

“That’s your right, but until you taste it, don’t knock it.”

“It’s not appealing to me.”

Declan nodded. “I get it. That’s fine.”

“But this shrimp scampi is the best I’ve ever had.” She speared a shrimp, wrapped noodles around it, then put it in her mouth.

****

Elise pressed her back against the vinyl upholstery of the booth and stole another glance at Stephen across the dimly lit room.

His gaze bore into her like a sharpened blade, and she felt a jolt of nerves skitter through her.

She slid farther along the bench, dragging her plate with her so his eyes could no longer find her.

“What’s wrong?” Declan’s voice cut through her anxiety as he reached for the saltshaker. “Elise?” His brow creased in concern.

“Stephen keeps staring at me,” she whispered, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass. “So, I moved where he can’t see me.”

Declan’s jaw clenched, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the saltshaker. “Want me to have a word with him?”

“Please don’t,” she begged softly, leaning forward. “He’s trying to intimidate me, and I refuse to let him. He can’t see me now.”

Declan sighed. “I need to use the restroom. Will you be alright?”

“Yes, don’t worry about me.”

Declan nodded. “I’ll be right back.” He folded his cloth napkin, slid from the booth, and strode toward the back corridor.

Elise hoped Declan wasn’t too long as she sat there alone, but her solace shattered when she spotted Stephen rising from his seat, gliding toward her booth like a dark shadow at dusk. Her stomach knotted as she watched him draw nearer.

She kept her eyes fixed on her plate, summoning courage like a shield. When Stephen loomed over her, she finally dared to look up.

“Go away, Stephen,” she hissed, her voice trembling just enough for him to hear. “Declan will be back in a minute, and he won’t like seeing you here.”

A cruel smirk curled the corner of Stephen’s mouth. Elise’s pulse thundered, and she almost wished she could wipe that smug expression from his face.

“Do you think I’m afraid of him?” he taunted, leaning in so close she could smell whiskey on his breath.

Elise forced a laugh, brittle as dry leaves. “Yes, I do.”

Stephen’s eyes narrowed. “Well, I’m not. You dropped me so you could go out with him.”

Her chest tightened. “I didn’t… drop you. I stopped seeing you for several reasons. It had nothing to do with Declan. I want nothing to do with you. Just keep dropping Jenny off like you have been. Someone will watch for her.”

“If I want to take my daughter inside, I will,” he spat, voice low and dangerous.

“As long as you don’t cause any problems, we’ll be happy to have her. She’s a sweet child and loves to dance,” Elise said softly.

Before Stephen could reply, Declan’s deep voice rumbled. “What are you doing here, Johnston?” He stood, folding his arms and leaning against the booth’s high back, his broad frame blocking the dim overhead light.

Stephen glanced between them, his jaw ticking as he weighed his next move. “Just saying hello to Elise. Isn’t that right, Elise?”

“No, it’s not,” she said firmly. “Please leave.”

Declan’s tone dropped to a sharp edge. “You heard her. Leave.”

Stephen’s eyes flicked back to Declan. For a moment, the air sizzled with tension. Then Stephen straightened, voice cold as ice. “One day, Cavanaugh—”

“One day… what?” Declan took a step forward, and Stephen recoiled.

His gaze shifted once more, at Elise, at Declan, and with a final glare, he turned and drifted back to his table. Elise exhaled, the breath coming in a rush of relief.

Declan slid back into the booth, easing into his seat. He picked up his knife and fork, the metal glinting under the warm glow of the hanging lamp.

“You weren’t gone very long,” she said with suspicion in her voice.

Declan grinned. “I just wanted to disappear for a minute to see if he made a move.” He shrugged. “He did.”

Elise let out a shaky sigh. “He scares me.”

Declan pressed his hand to her arm. “He’s all talk. Just don’t get into a car with him. Now let’s eat. He won’t bother us again, at least not here.”

Elise nodded, but her appetite felt as distant as a forgotten dream.

She lifted her fork and stabbed at a slice of shrimp, chewing mechanically.

Across the room, she caught sight of Stephen, leaning in close to his companion as he laughed and sipped his whiskey.

Elise’s stomach churned with dread and pity; she wanted to warn the woman of the darkness lurking beneath Stephen’s charming mask.

But for now, all she could do was pinch her napkin between white-knuckled fingers and wish herself safely home.

Later, as Declan navigated the familiar route home, Elise remained tense, her eyes darting to the side mirror with every turn, scanning for any sign of a car trailing them. The dark two-lane road seemed to go on forever, but no lights were behind them.

“I’m being paranoid,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.

“Yes, you are. Trust me, he’s not going to do anything. He’s a chickenshit,” Declan replied, his tone steady and reassuring.

“Maybe when you’re around, but he’s cocky around me,” she countered, her voice tinged with frustration.

“He’s all talk, Elise. I can’t tell you how many times he’s tried to intimidate me, and he knows I’m not afraid of him.

Don’t let him see you are. He’d take full advantage of it.

” Declan shook his head, the dash lights briefly illuminating his determined expression.

“I trust him as far as I can throw him.”

“He had me fooled,” she admitted again, her words heavy with regret.

“You’re not the first and you won’t be the last. Don’t let it bother you,” he assured her, his voice comforting.

She sighed deeply, the tension in her shoulders slowly easing. “I’ll try. Will you come in? We could watch a movie.”

“If that’s what you want,” he responded, glancing at her with a smile before returning his focus to the road ahead.

“I need to relax, Declan. I feel so tense,” she confessed, her voice a quiet plea for solace.

He nodded, understanding her unspoken need. “Alright.”

As they finally pulled up beside the stairs leading to her apartment, Elise released a huff of relief. She reached for the door handle, but Declan stopped her with a gentle touch.

“I’ll get it.” He exited the vehicle, the cool night air rushing in as he rounded the front to her side. He opened her door, extending a hand to her with a reassuring smile.

Elise placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth and strength of his grip. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss before guiding her up the metal steps. At the stoop, he took her keys, unlocking the door, then pushed it open, nodding for her to enter first.

She crossed the threshold and flipped a switch, bathing the apartment in the soft glow of a lamp. Declan handed the keys back, then removed his hat, closing the door behind him and securing the lock.

“I’m going to change. I’ll be right back,” she said, her eyes meeting his, a silent conversation passing between them.

Their gazes locked, and she found herself unable to look away as he slowly approached her.

He leaned down, capturing her lips once more in a kiss that was both gentle and consuming.

Elise moaned softly, the sound vibrating through the quiet apartment as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.