Page 67 of His Deadly Devotion

“Exactly what I said to do. Spread the word. Tell everyone that changes are coming. Until you hear otherwise from me, that is your only job,” I instruct him.

Patty’s car is still where we left it. He opens the back door and I climb in with Aurora pressed tight against my chest.

“Why is she asleep?” I say aloud.

“She’s probably exhausted. But she’s breathing. She’s going to be okay.” Patty starts up the engine and drives out of my father’s estate.

“I want this house burned to the fucking ground,” I grunt.

“Still going to Aisling’s?” Patty replies.

“Yeah. Call her. Get a doc there,” I tell him.

“Sure thing, boss.” He smirks.

“Asshole,” I grumble.

Aurora stirs. Her eyes blink open and then shut again. “Connor?”

“Yeah, it’s me. I’ve got you, princess. I’ve got you,” I repeat, more for my own comfort than hers.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

“What the fuck for?”

“I shouldn’t have let them take me. I should have fought harder,” she whispers.

“Shh, it’s not your fault.I’mthe one who should be sorry. I should have kept them from taking you in the first place.” Leaning down, I press my lips to the center of her forehead.

Twenty minutes later, we finally pull up in front of my cousin’s house. I climb out with Aurora still in my arms.

Aisling swings her door open. “You fecking ejit! What the feck have ya done?” she curses at me.

“What I had to do. Did you get a doc?” I ask her.

Aisling huffs. “Of course I did. Get inside before the neighbors see you’re here.”

Brushing past her, I walk straight up the narrow staircase, finding my own way to a guest room with my cousin hot on my heels.

“I’m not bowing to you,” she says.

“Wouldn’t expect you to.” I laugh.

“I hope she’s here of her own free will, Connor.”

“She’s my wife,” I tell Aisling, whose mouth hangs open in shock. “She’s also a cousin of Levi’s.”

“That’s why he’s in town. Fecking arsehole.” Aisling spins around and heads in the opposite direction.

“He can’t know she’s here!” I call after her. “Her family can’t see her like this.”

“He won’t hear it from me,” Aisling calls back. “I’ll send the doctor up.”

32

“Connor, what did you do?” I ask as soon as we’re alone.

“Nothing you need to worry about. Tell me where it hurts the most. Do you think anything’s broken?”