Page 18 of Endure the Pain

I shrugged. “I may have raged at Stefan through text and refused to answer when he called. Of course, he tried to show his power by sending his goons in here. If the bastard thinks I’m just going to be ordered about by his lackeys, he’s fucking mistaken.”

“Do you think you can get her to put away the gun so we can do our jobs?” Josh asked Jamie.

Jamie snorted and folded his arms over his chest. “Who did you plan to shoot first?” The question was clearly meant for me.

“Josh appears to be the leader. Sometimes when the leader is taken out, the followers hesitate from surprise. That’d give me time to take out the other two,” I answered honestly.

Josh looked from me to Jamie. “Sir?”

Jamie ignored him. “So is that the plan? You’re just going to kill them?”

“I was kind of hoping I didn’t have to,” I said.

“The boss gave us orders. You expect us not to follow them?” Josh snapped.

“I know you want to impress the boss, but in this situation take the road where you keep your life,” Jamie said. “He won’t fault you because the last thing he’d want is for his daughter to get hurt. They may be fighting, but think about it? He sent you in here because he’s worried about her. She, of course, took that as him trying to control her and pulled a gun. They’re too much alike. Dominant, stubborn, and proud, with mean Irish tempers. When they butt heads, it’s best to just steer clear and let them hash it out. They always do.”

Josh looked to the other goons, then nodded. “Let’s go.”

They filed out of the room, closing the door behind them. Jamie watched me slide my gun back under my pillow. “He’s right to worry, you know. You’re not supposed to be drinking.”

I let out a heavy sigh.

“Don’t get pissy with me,” he snapped, stalking toward me. “I love you. That means when you do stupid shit that could get you hurt, I get to call you out on it.” His hands cupped my face. “I’m not trying to control you. You’re it for me. My everything. I don’t care if you want to walk beside me in this life or take the lead, as long as you’re with me, that’s all that matters.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry. I know it’s no excuse, but I let my frustration with Stefan get the best of me.”

“You’re forgiven.” He kissed my forehead. “Now, get your lush ass to bed,” he ordered as he swatted said ass.

I yelped and flipped him off.

A few days later I felt strong enough to go for a walk around the property. I was still a little sore, but the meds I was on helped with that. I made a promise with Jamie that I wouldn’t drink a drop of alcohol until I was off them. I had about another week left of pain meds and just a few more days of antibiotics. My doctor had noticed one of my incisions had become red and hot to the touch and put me on another round of antibiotics. I couldn’t wait to be past all of this and feeling one hundred percent again.

“You doing alright?” Dean asked me for the third time as he and Asher walked with me. We were halfway through our second time walking the property line.

“Yeah.”

“Stefan’s coming back tonight?” Asher asked.

“Probably already home,” I mumbled as I avoided looking at the house. The night of drunk texting my father was not one of my finest moments. I'd bared a lot of vulnerability and I still wasn’t sure if Stefan would use it against me. At the same time, I knew our relationship wouldn’t improve if one of us didn’t let their guard down. It was up to Stefan now, where we went from here.

“Maura,” Dean said, drawing my attention. He nodded toward the house. I gazed in that direction, and standing by the pool was Stefan. Changing course, I cut through the grass field that made up most of our backyard, toward where Stefan was. He waited patiently, wearing an unreadable expression.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stopped with a few feet between us. Dean and Asher continued walking, with the intention of giving us privacy, but they didn’t get far before Stefan spoke.

“We’re having guests over for dinner tonight. Make sure you’re there.” His words were curt and his tone was distant. Then, he walked away, not giving me a chance to respond.

My nails dug into my skin as I tightened my crossed arms. Biting my cheek, I turned away from the house, giving my back to Dean and Asher. I couldn’t hide what I was feeling, and I wasn’t entirely sure I could hold back from crying.

I supposed Stefan had given his answer. He really knew how to make someone feel like they were nothing more than an obligation. I didn’t know why I’d tried so hard. I couldn’t make someone love me.

A hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed. I badly wanted to accept the comfort Dean or Asher was offering, but there were eyes everywhere. I took a deep breath, burying my hurt, and plastered a smile on my face before turning around. Dean dropped his hand, eyes gliding over my face. His gaze lingered on my forced smile and his expression hardened into a frown. Asher stood next to him, staring at me as well.

“Let’s head inside,” I said, walking away toward the house.

Seven rolled around—dinner time—and I made my way downstairs. I’d sent Dean and Asher home. They were a little hesitant to leave me because we didn’t know who was coming for dinner. After I reminded them that Jamie would be there, they felt slightly better about leaving.

A lot of voices carried out of the dining room and my steps faltered when I walked inside. The table was full. Stefan and Jamie were present, of course. Louie was there too, in his spot next to Jamie. Aunt Kiara was sitting across the table from Stefan with Conor sitting to her left and Rourke next to him. What shocked me was that Dylan was seated next to Louie, with his mother, Aoife, sitting to his left, and his younger sister, Brenna, sitting across from him.