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CONAN

I ’m weirdly nervous stepping out of the car. The flashing sign of the club almost taunts me.

“Con. You know I love you, right?” Declan says from behind.

My brothers are both getting bored of babying me, waiting for me to explode and fuck my life up.

I spin to face him.

“Yeah. Why?”

My knuckles crack as I squeeze them, waiting for him to answer.

“You’re a huge guy. Covered from head to toe in tats. There’s a very small—no, fuck that—zero percent chance of you walking into this club unnoticed. By anyone.”

Okay. He has a slight point.

I don’t care about anyone else seeing me. Just not Hallie. She can’t know I’m watching her.

That’s the only reason I’m here. I just want to see with my own eyes that she’s okay.

That, despite her warnings, I’m choosing to ignore them. Because I can’t go a fucking day without seeing her. Even if she refuses to see me.

Maybe I will have to watch her life unfold from the sidelines because I fucked it all up. A sick and twisted punishment.

But I’ll always live in the hope that one day, she will come around. Fuck, I’ll take a friendship at this point.

Anything that means she doesn’t hate me anymore.

“Look, Declan. I know you’re worried about me, or what I might do. But I’m simply here to enjoy myself with my family and have a fuckin’ drink before I go back into heavy training.”

I look to Reggie and Rowan for support. Rowan catches my drift as he steps beside me.

“We all promise to behave.” He pouts at Declan.

I can feel Finn’s glare beating into the side of my head.

He ain’t happy with me. He lost his best nurse because of me. And deep down, she was his friend too.

“Just give her space, Con. Don’t make a damn scene. If this is what you need to do to get over it, we’ve got your back.” Declan clasps Finn on the shoulder. He just grunts.

“I won’t. I swear.” I hold up my hands.

Declan nods and heads to the bouncer, with Reggie and Rowan on his tail. Leaving me with Finn.

“Finn. I’m sorry this fucked your work up.”

He stops walking and shakes his head.

“Yeah. I’m pissed off she quit. But I’m more fucking irritated that Enzo put her in The Chase. That he missed Ben and his links to Arthur. The fucking wizard that knows everything did nothing to protect you or her.”

I scratch my head.

“It’s quite the puzzle to put together, though, Finn.”

He scoffs.

“I’m protective of one thing in this life, and that’s my family. I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you all safe. I can’t see you lose yourself like you did after Mom died.”

A sadness creeps in and makes it hard to breathe. I try to bat it away, fucking bury it quick before it hurts. It’s like Finn can read my damn mind.

“I’ve lost Hallie for good, haven’t I?”

Finn shrugs.

“Honestly? You’re asking the wrong guy. I wouldn’t know love if it hit me in the side of the head with a sledgehammer. But, psychologically speaking, I’m sure there are ways to win her over. For example, not being a dick in this club would be one.”

I choke on a laugh. I was really expecting some technical, intelligent answer to come out of his mouth.

“Got it. Don’t be a dick.”

“You haven’t gone a day without being one so far. So good luck.”

He whacks me 'round the head and strolls off toward the entrance. The bouncer looks away and lifts the rope for him. I quicken my pace to join them.

We head straight to the VIP booth, nestled in the back corner, with the perfect view of every spot.

So I can see her wherever she may be.

The waitress rushes over with a tray of whiskey and, of course, a bottle of our dad’s whiskey.

The music blares, the strobe lights flash, yet all I can do is scan the crowd.

I’ll know when I spot her, because my stomach will flip and everything will feel lighter.