Page 14 of Wasted

Her father would not control her for the rest of her life. No matter what it took, Cillian would set her free.

Chapter

Five

“I never forgot you, Vicks. Never.” Cillian’s voice echoed in Victoria’s mind as she turned onto her street.

She blinked at the light rain that smattered her windshield, blurring the darkness beyond.

But the image of Cillian’s eyes when he’d said those words appeared more clearly in front of her mind’s gaze. So intense. So…passionate.

Her heart twisted behind her ribs. Did he mean it?

She’d imagined he had forgotten her the moment he’d left Chicago. The moment he found another girl to date, which wouldn’t have been long, given his looks and charm.

His list of conquests before her had been long, according to high school gossip and judging from the multiple girls who had threatened her to leave Cillian alone, until Cillian had learned of their threats. Then the girls mysteriously began to give her a wide berth in the school’s hallways.

He’d always been protective. And her fifteen-year-old self had, of course, wanted to believe everything he told her, including that she was the only girl he had ever loved.

Her chest pinched so hard it hurt. She would never be able to sleep tonight if she didn’t let go of the tension that seemed to be winding her as tight as a rope. Not that she could sleep anytime soon. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders, she had at least two hours of documentation left to do that evening. It was the consequence of getting so far behind on her appointments, thanks to the situation at the Trents’.

She slowed at her driveway, releasing a calming breath through her nose. Her gaze caught on the red pickup truck parked in front of the garage door.

Hank.

A smile upturned her lips despite the fatigue that still sagged her limbs. It was like her mother used to say. She always had time to spend with her treasures.

As the baby of the family and the sweetest of them all, Hank was indeed a treasure. His truck stood empty, so he had apparently arrived long enough ago to have used his key to let himself in. At least Hank was one of the few people Max wasn’t afraid of. Victoria’s giant dog was likely reveling in his attention right now.

She pulled into the left stall of the garage and closed the overhead door with the remote. As she exited her car and opened the back door, she heard the door to the house open behind her.

“Help you with your bag?”

She turned to see Hank close the door behind him and send her a smile.

She smiled in return. “It does feel heavier by this time of day.” She wasn’t about to undo the training she’d given him in being a gentleman and helping others.

“You do look beat.” He peered at her, his smile fading. “Probably still have documenting to do yet, too.”

“Correct.”

He winced, then reached to grab her bag from the back seat. He closed the door and met her gaze. “I’m sorry. I really have to talk to you.” Turmoil swam in his blue eyes.

She could guess the cause of that anxiety. They’d discussed it several times already, but he was still clearly struggling. “Of course.” She stepped toward him to touch his arm. “Let’s put on some hot chocolate, and we’ll talk.”

As they entered the house, Max rushed at them. The massive Leonberger nearly knocked Victoria over in his exuberance to reach Hank again, even though Hank had already been inside before she’d arrived.

Victoria laughed, then went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate while Max and Hank enjoyed each other some more.

She brought two mugs of Hank’s favorite comfort drink into the living room, where they sat on the sofa.

Max joined them a few feet away on the carpeting, lying down and panting from his exertion.

Victoria chuckled as she glanced at her tired but happy boy. “Well, Max is certainly glad you came.”

Hank grinned. “Max is the best. I really have to get a Leo myself. Once I figure out my life, that is.” His mouth turned down at the corners, and he lifted his mug to take a sip.

“Tell me what’s bothering you.” Victoria was ready to catch her brother’s gaze when he looked up.