Page 92 of Dublin Charmer

How do I even put it into words without sounding like an idiot? Maybe I’m making something out of nothing. But no, the way she looked at me when I said I loved her wasn’t nothing.

The tears that welled in her eyes and the silence that followed weren’t nothing.

I clear my throat and run a hand through my hair. “Nyx didn’t say she loves me. In fact, after the most amazing sex ever, I told her I love her, and she cried and totally shut down. Why? What does that mean?”

The war room falls silent. My brothers exchange glances, and I feel heat creeping up my neck.

“Maybe she’s not ready to say it,” Brendan offers, leaning back in his chair.

“Or maybe she’s afraid,” Tag suggests, his voice softening. “She’s been on her own a very long time. Maybe she needs time to trust in her feelings.”

“But shedoeslove me,” I insist, hating how desperate I sound. “I know she does. I see it in her eyes. I feel it when we’re together.”

Sean sets his phone down. “No argument there, little brother. We all see it. You two are great together, but maybe give her a chance to settle in before you worry. It’s probably just a lot at once. Gravely. Her brother. Trusting us.”

Bryan nods. “Think about it. In less than three weeks, she’s gone from being our enemy to being part of the family. That’s a lot to process.”

I exhale slowly. They’re right. Of course they’re right. “Aye, all right. Thanks.”

Tag stands and pulls me into a hug, clapping me on the back. “It’ll happen for you, Finn. Just as we found the other half of our souls, you’ve found yours. Nyx is your perfect complement. We all see it.”

My brother’s all grumble their agreement.

“And because you love her, you can give her the time and space she needs to let your love take hold, right?”

“Aye, I can.”

“Good lad. Now,” he says, clapping his hands together, “show us what you’ve got so we can make a plan to wipe Billy Gravely off the face of the planet.”

Heart lighter and mind clearer, I turn to the screen, I pull up the first file. “Nyx gave us everything we’ll need to destroy him. And I mean everything.”

The 72-inch TV on the wall lights up with detailed maps of Gravely’s operation. Financial records. Shipping manifests. Safe house locations. Property ownership. Personnel files.

“Jesus Christ,” Sean whispers, leaning forward. “How did she get all this?”

“She’s been collecting it since he took Gio. Insurance she hoped to leverage against him if it ever came to that.”

Brendan whistles. “Smart girl.”

I pull up a calendar. “Check this out. Gravely’s got a weapons shipment coming in two nights from now. And here,” I switch to a map, “this is where they’re unloading.”

“The old fishing warehouse in Howth,” Tag says, studying the location. “Isolated. Limited access points. Perfect for an exchange.”

“Perfect for an ambush,” Sean adds.

“And there’s more.” I swipe to another screen. “Detailed security rotations for all Gravely’s properties. Including his personal residence.”

Bryan leans forward. “Do you think we could hit him at home?”

Tag shakes his head. “Too many variables. Look how well that turned out for him.”

“I think the shipment is our best bet,” I say. “We’ve cut off access to his super warehouse and all the McGuire warehouses. He needs things to be business as usual, or it’ll cripple his operation. He needs this shipment.”

“Does he know Nyx is with us?” Brendan asks.

“Not officially, but he must know we took Gio when we raided his warehouse. He’ll also know Nyx would contact us to get him back.”

“He’ll also expect her to sell him out,” Tag says.