Page 93 of Dublin Charmer

I shrug. “I expect that’s true, aye.”

“He might try to turn the tables and set a trap for us, knowing we’ll try to close in.”

Shit.I hadn’t really thought of that, but that tracks.

We spend the next hour planning the attack. Sean will take the Devils to secure the perimeter. Brendan and Bryan will lead the assault team. Tag will coordinate from a distance. Laine will kill us all if he gets shot again so soon after the baby’s birth, but this is our big move and he’s our leader.

And me? I’ll be right where I belong—running surveillance and comms from a nearby location, with Nyx at my side.

“All right, we have two days to get this plan locked down,” Tag concludes. “Let’s end this, brothers. Let’s make this city safe for the women in our lives, yeah?”

“Damn right,” Sean says.

“Aye,” Brendan, Bryan, and I all agree.

As the meeting adjourns, I feel lighter. Focused. The plan is solid, and my brothers’ reassurances about Nyx have calmed my fears.

She loves me. I know she does. And someday, when she’s ready, she’ll say it.

For now, we have a war to win.

Nyx

I’ve been sitting on the edge of Finn’s bed for over an hour, my heart shattering with each passing minute. My backpack rests against the wall, stuffed with my equipment, everything disconnected, coiled, cleared from his desk, and packed away.

The tears won’t stop coming.

I’ve tried to be logical about this. I’ve tried to be strong. But logic has nothing to do with the way my chest aches when I think about walking away from him.

When the door opens and Finn steps in, his smile dies instantly. His eyes dart from my face to the packed bag, and I watch understanding dawn in those beautiful green eyes.

“Nyx, no. Is this because I said I love ye?” His voice cracks on the last word.

I close my eyes, unable to bear the hurt in his expression. “Yes, but not for any reason I’m sure you’re imagining.”

Finn rushes across the room and drops to his knees before me. He collects my hands in his. They’re warm and strong, and my heart breaks a little more when they wrap around mine. “Talk to me, Nyx, please. What’s going on?”

“Gio wants to leave Dublin.” The words come out in a rush. “He’s struggling. He’s having panic attacks. He needs to be away from here, somewhere he can feel safe while he heals.”

“Then go on vacation,” Finn says immediately. “Take him to Mallorca or the Greek Islands. Let him soak up the sun and recover. Go for a month or three or six. I’ll pay for all of it, but don’t end things.”

I try to breathe but my lungs won’t take in oxygen. “It’s not that simple. He doesn’t just want a vacation. He wants to get away from crime families and the dangers of takeovers. He wants us to have a safe, normal life.”

“Then I’ll set him up with one. New identity. New life. New continent if that’s what he wants. That doesn’t mean you have to go.”

“He’s all I have, Finn.” My voice breaks. “He’s my only family and I’m his.”

“That’s not true anymore.” Finn’s grip tightens. “There’s me. And my brothers. And the wives. All of us are in yer corner and love ye. We’re yer family now. Gio is a part of yer life, no question, so he’s part of this family, too.”

I swipe at the hot tears streaming down my cheeks. “I’ve known you for weeks. I’ve taken care of Gio my whole life.”

“Aye, I know that.” Finn presses his forehead against our joined hands. “But don’t shut the door on us, Nyx. Don’t end something that’s barely begun. Ye love me. I know ye didn’t say it, but ye do.”

A sob escapes me. “I absolutely do, but I can’t say the words—it would only make leaving harder. But that doesn’t change anything. I have to choose Gio. I have to.”

“But I’m not askin’ ye to choose.” Finn looks up, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’m askin’ ye not to give up on us. Go with Gio. Help him heal. But don’t say this is the end.”

“Long distance never works,” I whisper.