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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

FINN

I had always thought of Una as brave. Fearless. She handled her problems and the world she’d been forced to live in with a determination and acceptance that belied her young age.

Watching her the day we buried her brother only proved she was all that, as well as pure grace under pressure.

I had let it be known that her brother’s past, especially the last weeks of his life, was buried with him. His death was the result of fighting with us. He saved his sister’s life, and that was how he was being remembered. I would allow nothing else to be said about him. With that single act, he had cleared away his past deeds, and I would always owe him for that.

I had a feeling that even without Brian, Lopez would have gotten to Una, his obsession for her that deep. The information Roman’s man had found on the deceased criminal made the hair on my neck stand on end. I was grateful he was dead.

I watched as she thanked people for coming to the service. Made sure they had a drink and food. Much like the day I had seen her at her dad’s funeral. Looking out for everyone but herself. Only this time, I was beside her, a silent sentinel, my presence signaling to everyone who she belonged to. And I looked after her, making her sit, ensuring she ate. Handling any detail that happened so she could mourn quietly and listen to the good things people had to say about Brian. His humor. Stories of him and his dad. I was grateful when those made her smile. To allow her to recall there had been some good in him. I had to believe there was, given how she loved him.

It wasn’t a large crowd, but many from the syndicate were there, paying their respects and shaking my hand, our united front clear.

Una requested a private graveside gathering, so it was only us as she placed the small urn beside her parents’ graves. I stepped back, giving her the privacy she needed. Her lips moved in a low whisper as she crouched by the small plot, and I knew she was telling her brother words she wanted to share with him and no one else.

I looked around the mostly empty graveyard. It was overcast and gray. Drizzly. The somber weather matching the occasion.

Una stepped back, taking my proffered hand. She was pale, quiet, and still so beautiful in her grief. I knew she was struggling to find her feet, and I also knew there was a conversation we had to have.

One I dreaded.

Back at the hotel, she changed into warm leggings and one of my sweaters. She felt constantly cold these days and needed as much warmth as she could find. I changed as well, ordering tea for her and coffee for me. She wrapped her hands around the mug, inhaling the bergamot fragrance.

“You could save a lot of money and make the tea in the room yourself,” she murmured.

I smiled at her gentle scolding. “It’s all my money, Una. It doesn’t really matter.”

She glanced around. “Your condo had more life in it. Pictures, that sort of thing.”

“I told you before this was just a place to sleep. I haven’t really considered it home. Nothing felt like home after you left.”

She frowned, studying her mug but not saying anything. I took a long sip from my coffee, needing the bracing caffeine.

“Una, we need to talk.”

Her gaze flew to mine, panic flaring in them. “Finn?”

“No, everything is all right. But the future, Una. We need to talk about the future.”

“The future?” she whispered.

I nodded, gathering the words I needed to say. Knowing her reply might once again leave me alone and without her. A reality I was prepared for. Expecting, in fact, after what had occurred.

“How you foresee us going forward.”

She frowned, looking around. She rose from the sofa and walked around the room, staring and seemingly lost in thought.

“Honestly?” she asked.

I nodded, bracing myself. “Honest. We are always honest with each other.”

“For starters, I’d want to bring some color in here. Personality. I don’t want to live in a hotel room. Well, one that looks like a hotel room—even an expensive one.”

Something in my chest tripped. A small ripple went through me. “You want to stay here with me?”

“Well, first off, I can’t bear the thought of going to my apartment, and frankly, I can’t see you living there. It’s too small. We could look for another place, but I know you like being on-site here. But if we could make it more personal…”

At the look on my face, she trailed off, and an expression of anxious disbelief crossed hers.

“Oh. Oh God , you don’t want me here.”

I was on my feet instantly, crossing the room. I cupped her face, shaking my head. “I want nothing more. I didn’t know if you wanted to stay with me .”

“You mean stay here with you?”

I frowned. “I thought you were going to leave me again, Una.”

Her eyes went wide. “Leave you?”

“You have always hated that part of my life. You left me once because of it. This time was worse because it was you. I wouldn’t blame you.”

She covered my hands with hers, pulling our clasped fingers down to her chest. “Finn,” she whispered. “I told you I would stay. I trust you to keep me safe. I know what happened was because of a sick individual, not because of who you are.”

“You hate this world.”

“But I love you more.”

I bent my head, kissing her fingers. Then I pulled her into my arms and kissed her sweet mouth.

“I thought I’d lost you. That you’d tell me you had to go,” I confessed.

“And you’d let me?”

“I would give you anything to make you happy. I planned to buy you a hotel in a small place and let you go to follow your dreams.” I paused. “With trusted men close and my eyes on you from a distance.”

“You would have let me live my life without you?”

“I’d never be far. And the instant you asked for me, I would come.”

“What if I didn’t?”

“I would be content knowing you were all right and happy.”

“I’m never happy unless you’re with me.”

“ Mo chroí ,” I whispered.

“I love you,” she said again. “Do you still love me?”

“How can you ask me that? Of course I do.”

She opened her mouth, then closed it.

“Say it, Una. Ask me whatever you need. Tell me whatever you have to tell me.”

I didn’t expect her next words.

“Lopez never touched me, Finn. Not sexually.”

I frowned. “I know.”

“You haven’t touched me since I came back.”

“I hold you every night. I’m touching you now,” I argued.

“Before I was taken, you couldn’t be in the same room with me for ten minutes without trying to ravish me.” She blinked up at me. “You don’t want me anymore?”

I shut my eyes, pulling her close and pressing my lips to her forehead. “I want you every second of every day. But you’ve been through so much. Hurt. I didn’t know if you were ready—if you wanted to be touched that way, Una.”

“I want it from you, Finn. I want your touch to erase all the bad ones they inflicted. So all I remember is how good it feels to be touched.”

I swept her into my arms, carrying her to the bedroom.

“Then let me remind you.”

* * *

I laid her on the bed, hovering over her.

“This is going to be slow, Una. And I want your words. If you’re scared or feeling anything but pleasure, you’re going to tell me.”

“And you’ll stop?”

I shook my head. “We’ll start again. I won’t stop until you’re mine again. Completely.”

I peeled off her clothes, kissing every inch of flesh I uncovered. Every bruise or laceration that still marred her skin. I touched her with reverence, grateful that she was still mine. That she survived. That she was ready to be with me again. I kept my mouth gentle and my touch light as I caressed her. I praised her, wanting her to hear my voice.

“You are so beautiful.”

“I love your freckles—all the little grains of sand all over your skin. Sexy little dots only I can see. It makes you even more mine.”

“You have such elegant feet. Delicate, yet so strong. Just like the rest of you.”

“Are you still ticklish, mo chroí ? Here?” I let my fingers drift over the backs of her knees, delighting in her low giggle.

More than once, I felt her tense, and I refused to move on until she relaxed again. I didn’t grip her wrists or hold her down, certain those would trigger her panic. I kissed her slowly, deeply, letting her feel my love. She began getting lost in the moment, falling into her passion. She grabbed the hem of my shirt, tugging it off me. The feel of her fingers on my back, stroking and gripping me, was indescribable. I licked at her neck, nuzzling my face into the fragrant spot at the base of her throat, groaning her name.

“You taste so sweet, mo chroí . I’ve missed you.”

“Finn,” she whispered. “Please.”

“Tell me what you want.”

“I want you. On me. I need to feel you.”

I carefully laid my torso to hers, allowing some of my weight to press down on her. She wrapped her legs around me, drawing me close. We kissed, drawing breath from each other, our bond tightening as our mouths moved, our bodies melded, and our passion began to blaze. I buried my hands in her hair, feeling the silk of it. She clutched at my back, fisting my hair, tugging on it as I kissed and licked my way across her collarbone to her breasts, sucking the tight buds into my mouth until she was begging, tugging my hair harder, pleading in a breathy voice for me.

I notched my cock to her entrance, feeling the slick heat welcome me. Slowly, I slid myself in, kissing her the whole time. Feeling the hitch of her breathing as I reached down, lifting her hips and burying myself as far as I could go. She shivered in anticipation as I withdrew and pushed back in. I shut my eyes at the overwhelming rightness of being with her. I rocked into her, keeping her close. Whispering my love. Showering her with kisses. Touching her. Groaning at the pleasure of her wrapped around me. Hot. Wet. Perfect.

She began to shake, crying out my name. She grasped my neck hard as she succumbed, her eyes wide, her muscles gripping my cock, milking my own release from somewhere so deep inside me I was certain I would burst from the intense pleasure.

Until I collapsed into her arms, spent and exhausted.

Wrapped around the woman I loved, knowing she was mine forever. She would stay with me.

I pressed a kiss to her head.

“Marry me, Una.”

* * *

UNA

Finn fell asleep before I could totally comprehend what he had said—or breathed out before he’d tucked me close and slumbered.

I shifted a little, staring at him. I wondered if he knew how beautiful he was. He’d scoff and brush away my word, but he was. His features were bold, masculine, and defined. His height and breadth made him even more so. With his long, wild dark-red hair and imposing stance, he was an incredibly sexy, ruggedly beautiful man.

I knew what he was. Who he was. I saw firsthand what he was capable of. A cold-blooded killer when needed, a fearless leader, a loving nephew, and a tender, giving lover.

And he was mine.

I wasn’t sure when I had made peace with the light and dark that lived inside him. But somehow I knew, despite all the thoughts to the contrary, no one else would ever complete me the way he did.

Thinking of his words, of how he planned to let me go in order for me to be happy, touched me. Except I knew before he uttered them I could never be happy without him. I’d tried, and it didn’t work.

Finn O’Reilly was it for me.

And he would keep me safe.

I stroked the arm holding me tight to his warm body, looking around. I had never thought of living in a hotel. But I supposed it wasn’t much different from a condo. Finn had a terrace where I could grow some plants. He owned the place, so I knew he’d let me bring in different furniture. Add color and pictures and make it our home.

The added bonus was room service when I didn’t feel like cooking.

And housekeeping.

A small laugh escaped my mouth, and I covered it with my hand, feeling silly.

“Don’t,” he rumbled, tightening his arm. “Whatever is making you laugh, let it out. I love hearing you laugh.”

He lifted his head, still half asleep. “You haven’t laughed in a long time.”

“I was thinking living here would have some benefits.”

One eyebrow rose in query.

“Housekeeping. Room service.”

A grin split his face. “By room service, you mean me and sex anytime you want it.”

“And housekeeping.”

“I’ll clean up after.”

I laughed again, this time louder. “Whatever, Finn.”

He smiled, then kissed me. “Marry me, and you can have it all, Una.”

“You meant that?” I asked against his mouth.

“Not overly romantic, but yes, I meant it. I love you. I want you to be my wife.”

“It would make you happy?”

“ Mo chroí , it would make me the happiest man on earth. The universe, even.”

I cupped his cheek. “Then yes.”

He rolled, pulling me with him and holding me tight. He kissed me until I was breathless, his erection growing between us.

“Let’s celebrate,” he murmured.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked, teasing him as I cupped his balls.

“Room service. Now.”

I was good with that.