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TWENTY-SIX

emmanuel

TWO YEARS LATER

“How’s Clodagh?” Jer asks as I enter his office.

I can’t help but grin. The past two years have been everything I could have ever wanted.

My woman is thriving. She’s doing her last year in college and then she plans on coming back to Dublin.

I’ve watched her grow in self confidence and become an amazing woman.

I'm the lucky son of a bitch who she loves.

"She's doing great," I reply, unable to keep the pride out of my voice. "She's doing her last year of college. Top of her class.”

Jer nods approvingly. "Good for her. She's come a long way."

I settle into the chair across from his desk, my mind drifting to Clodagh. These past two years have been the happiest of my life. Watching her grow, thrive in her studies, and come into her own has been incredible. And our relationship has only gotten stronger.

"She has," I agree. "Sometimes I can hardly believe how far we've both come."

Jer gives me a knowing look. "You two planning on making things official anytime soon?"

I chuckle, shaking my head. "We're taking things one day at a time. But yeah, I've been thinking about it."

The truth is, I've had a ring burning a hole in my pocket for months now. I'm just waiting for the right moment. Clodagh deserves something special, something perfect.

"Well, don't wait too long," Jer advises. "A woman like that doesn't come around often."

"Don't I know it," I murmur. Then, forcing myself to focus on the reason for this meeting, I ask, "So, what's up?"

Jer's expression turns serious. "I don’t know. Maverick asked that you come."

I nod. “Let me guess, he’s found another body with yet another ribbon?

" It seems whenever Maverick does a job for The Agency, someone beats him to the punch and leaves the body hanging for him with a ribbon. It’s fucking with Mav’s head and I get it.

If it were me, I’d be furious. I’d want to know who the fuck is doing it.

But he’s not been able to uncover anything.

The door opens and in walks not only Maverick but Stephen. Both men look pissed. “What happened?” I ask, knowing something must have gone down for the two of them to be angry.

“Got a call from Alessio Bianchi,” Mav begins. Alessio is Jade’s brother in law. He’s the boss of the Famiglia in Missouri.

“Kelvin Acaster is dead.”

I blink at his words. The fuck? Kelvin is a man who knows everyone’s business. He’s an anomaly. He’s got friends everywhere, including Mav and Stephen. But the question is: how did he die?

“His men said he was taken out. A single shot to the head. It was done by a professional.”

I raise a brow. That’s fucked up. “Wasn’t me,” I tell them, just in case they thought it was.

Mav shakes his head. “I know it wasn’t you,” he says, running a hand through his hair.

“But his men have no fucking idea who it is. Alessio’s wife is angry that no one has a clue, not to mention so am I.

His men have scoured the vicinity in which he was killed and nothing.

Not a fucking clue as to who took him out. ”

This is serious. Kelvin was well-connected and his death is going to send shockwaves through our world. The fact that it was done so cleanly, with no trace of the killer, is concerning. It shows it was done by a professional.

"So they have no leads at all?" I ask, my mind whirling.

Stephen shakes his head grimly. "Nothing solid. Whoever did this is a ghost."

"It has to be a professional. It sounds clean," I say. “Did they canvas the top of the buildings?”

Mav sighs. “They said they did, but fuck, I don’t know. Kelvin had a fucking lot of enemies. It could be one of a thousand people.”

"What do you want?" Jerry asks. "Do you want Emmanuel to look into it? You and I know he’s the best there is."

Maverick shakes his head. “Alessio is looking into it. I don’t know why, but I have this sickening feeling in my gut. Something about this doesn’t sit right.”

I sigh. If Maverick thinks something’s not right, it probably isn’t. “If you want, I can look into it.”

“No, you’re grand. If Alessio finds something, I’ll let you know. Right now, I’m going home to Lisa. If you need me, call me.”

I always knew he had a thing for Clodagh’s best friend.

They’ve been together for about ten months and he’s in love.

He’s the same way I am with Clodagh and Stephen is with Jess.

I’m happy for him, just as he is for Clodagh and I.

Lisa still doesn’t know about us, and while I got Clodagh’s reasoning at the beginning, she’s left it a long time now and she’s scared of Lisa’s reaction. I say get it over and done with.

My cell buzzes and I see that it’s Clodagh.

Clodagh: Going to study group after classes. Should be home around seven. Shall we have takeout for dinner? Love you. X

Me: Sounds good, baby. Text me when you’re leaving study group. I’ll see you tonight. Love you too.

It’s time for me to go home. “Do you need me?” I ask Jer once we’re alone.

He shakes his head. “No, go on back to Clodagh. I’ll call if anything else happens.”

I fucking hope not.

* * *

I park my car outside the apartment complex. Clodagh should be home from her study group by now.

As I unlock the door, I'm greeted by the sound of her laughter. She's on the phone, probably with Tammy or one of her other college friends.

I pause in the doorway of our bedroom, just watching her. She's sprawled on the bed, textbooks scattered around her, hair piled messily on top of her head. She's never looked more beautiful.

Clodagh spots me and her face lights up. "Hey, I gotta go," she says into the phone. "Emmanuel's home." She hangs up and jumps off the bed, throwing herself into my arms.

I catch her easily, pulling her close and breathing in her scent. "Hey, baby. Miss me?"

She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes sparkling. "Always. How was your meeting?"

I press a kiss to her forehead. "It was fine. Nothing for you to worry about." I don't want to burden her with the news about Kelvin Acaster. "How was your study group?"

Clodagh wrinkles her nose. "Productive but exhausting. I'm so ready for this semester to be over."

I chuckle, leading her back to the bed. "Not long now, baby. You're in the home stretch."

She flops back onto the mattress with a dramatic sigh. "I know, but it feels like forever." She looks up at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Want to help me take my mind off it?"

I grin, already shrugging off my jacket. "Always."

I crawl onto the bed, hovering over her. Clodagh reaches up, pulling me down for a deep kiss. I lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine.

When we break apart, both breathless, I take a moment to just look at her. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen from our kiss. She's so beautiful it almost hurts.

"I love you," I murmur, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

Clodagh's eyes soften. "I love you too, Emmanuel. So much,” she says thickly. “I need you,” she groans as she pushes me down onto the bed and straddles me.

The feel of her pussy against me is almost enough to make me lose my head.

Fuck, I need her. I press my lips against hers as I free my thickening cock from my pants.

Our kiss deepens, becoming frenzied. The moment I manage to get my cock freed, I’m pushing aside her panties and plunging deep into her pussy.

God, there’s nothing better than being inside of her. Not a fucking thing better than having her pussy fit my cock like a glove.

She begins to move, and my hands roam over her body. I’ll never get enough of her. She’s perfect for me. She rises off my cock before slamming back down, grinding as I bottom out inside of her.

I groan when she grinds again. Her cheeks are flushed, her head thrown back, her hands on my shoulders as she gives into the pleasure and rides me. Her body moves over my cock like a sensual siren. Her lips part as she moans low in her throat.

Yeah, I’ll never get enough of her. She’s been mine since she was too young to be. I’ll cherish her for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to fucking marry her.

“Fuck, beautiful,” I grunt as she slams down onto my cock.

“Yes,” she hisses as she continues to move. “Oh, Emmanuel,” she whimpers. “I’m so close.”

I slide my hands down to her hips and hold on tight as I thrust up into her, helping her reach the heights she so desperately seeks.

“Yes,” she cries out, not once stopping as she fucks me as hard as I’m fucking her. “So close.”

I grit my teeth and hammer into her, my strokes heavy and painful, my cock about ready to burst, but never without her.

“Emmanuel,” she cries as her body tightens, her eyes close, and she detonates, her pussy walls contracting around my thick cock. Her head lulls forward and she rests it on my shoulder.

I thrust into her again, and again, and again. My spine tingles and my balls tighten. There’s no holding back. I thrust deep inside of her and spill my cum into her pussy. “Christ, Clo,” I grunt.

She lifts her head and smiles at me. “I love you so much.”

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing those words come from her. “I love you too, baby.” I slide my hand into the pocket of my pants and pull out the box that’s been nestled there for months. “Marry me,” I say thickly.

Clodagh's eyes widen in shock as she stares at the ring box in my hand. For a moment, she's completely still, her mouth slightly open. Then, slowly, a smile spreads across her face, her eyes filling with tears.

"Emmanuel," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Are you serious?"

I nod, my heart pounding. "I've never been more serious about anything in my life, Clodagh. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

She lets out a sound that's half laugh, half sob. "Yes," she says, nodding vigorously. "Yes, of course I'll marry you!"

Relief and joy wash over me as I slip the ring onto her finger. It's a perfect fit, just like us. Clodagh stares at it for a moment before throwing her arms around me, peppering my face with kisses.

"I can't believe this," she says, pulling back to look at me. "I mean, I hoped, but... God, Emmanuel. I love you so much."

I cup her face in my hands, kissing her deeply. "I love you too, baby. More than anything."

Fuck yes. This is everything I want. She’s all that I want, and soon she’ll be my wife. God, I really am a lucky bastard.