Page 15 of It Was Always You

“Jonathan wants us in his office. She’ll be safe here, son,” he says.

The sooner we figure this shit out, the better. Following Dad into Jonathan’s office, I’m greeted with the sight of him pacing his office. “I don’t know what more I can do. I don’t want her to be a prisoner here but she couldn’t even have one fucking day out without something happening.”

“The only other thing we could try is sneaking her into a safe house without them noticing. But if you go with her, there’s no way we could keep it under wraps,” Dad musses as he leans against the wall beside me, crossing his ankles and looking far too relaxed for my liking.

“I could take her,” I suggest. I can see the cogs turning in Jonathan’s head as he weighs up the options. It’s either make her a prisoner here, which is our headquarters and endanger everyone that works and lives here. Or, by taking her to a safehouse, we can ensure no one knows about her, and hopefully, it’d buy Jonathan enough time to get Angus to back the fuck down before I say fuck the consequences and put a bullet in his head myself.

“Fine. But there’s going to be rules. And those self-defence lessons? You’ll need to start them ASAP.”

Just then, a knock interrupts us. Abigail opens the door and steps into the room with, “She’s awake.”

Chapter 12

I’m starting to get sick and tired of being knocked unconscious. It’s beyond humiliating just how easy I am for these fuckers to take down. I wonder if there’s some sort of mafia princess training course Abbie could point me in the direction of.

With a groan, I press a hand to my head and try to sit up, only to feel a hand stop me. I open my eyes to see Abbie leaning over me. “Hey there, sleeping beauty. You scared the crap out of me.”

“I’m so sorry…I know you just wanted a chill day out,” I apologise, frustrated that even something so simple was ruined by this mafia bullshit that I seem to have been dragged into, kicking and screaming. So much for my mundane, lonely life.

“Stop. It’s not your fault. I’m so sick of this shit fucking everything up,” she huffs before continuing, “I should go let the guys know you’re awake.” She pads over to the office, leaving me to gather my thoughts as I process that I’m back at the penthouse with no bodyguards in sight, just Abbie’s Mum who gets up and comes over to me. She’s always been like a second mother to me, so when she wraps me in her embrace, I close my eyes and breathe in her comforting floral scent.

“Oh sweetie, I wish I could just take you home and wrap you in bubble wrap,” she mummers as she presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Jonathan rumbles from above me as he crouches so we’re at eye level before saying, “Unfortunately, it looks like we need to reevaluate our options. I don’t want you to be a prisoner here, but staying in the city isn’t safe for you anymore. Owen will take you to our safehouse until I can get this under control. I would go but…”

“But that would draw too much attention and defeat the purpose,” I fill in for him as he trails off, then glance back and see Owen and his dad, Seamus, who I recognize from our graduation and Owen’s matches.

Seeing Seamus is like looking at Owen twenty years from now: a few inches taller, broader, with his hair shaved on the sides and slicked back, yet the resemblance is uncanny. Both wear matching expressions of concern, though Owen seems more excited as he gives me a subtle nod.

Confused, I turn back to Jonathan. “If you think that’s our best option, then I’ll go, but what about work?”

“Sweetheart, I think it’s best you quit. When things settle down, we can get you back in. After all, you do have an in with the boss,” he teases, trying and succeeding to lighten the mood for a second.

* * *

Calling the next few hours chaotic would be an understatement. After passing me his key with instructions to, “Pack enough shit to last a few months. Anything you think we’ll need. I’ll double check it later,” Owen and Seamus joined Jonathan in his office to hash out the finer details of the plan.

Gifted with the task of rifling through Owen’s belongings, I find myself enveloped by his scent—woody, musky, with hints of cinnamon and leather. Intoxicating as fuck.

Abbie is with the Finlay brothers doing a food supply run, leaving me to pack up Owen’s things by myself. Running my hands over the back of his sofa, I make my way into his bedroom. The room has a huge bed that screams dominance and Owen. From the dark leather along the curved footboard to the padded matching headboard that’s just begging to be gripped in his fist. The black satin sheets and minimal pillows that I absolutely don’t touch as I make my way to his wardrobe.

I did manage to resist picturing Owen in said sheets. Shirtless. With it pooling at his waist. Lies.

Two duffel bags of clothes later, Abbie joins me in his kitchen with her haul. As we’re double checking everything Owen joins us, leaning against the door frame with his arm propped up on it, looking like sin on a stick as he observes us.

“Make sure you’ve got your Kindle or something to keep you entertained. It’s going to be a long drive. I’m going to catch some sleep before we head out. Feel free to hang out here or lock up after yourselves.”

Chapter 13

Getting the green light from Aidan that they were in position to create a diversion and tail the car that’s been circling her apartment acted as the starter gun on this whole plan. Earlier, I’d suggested swapping our usual vehicle for a new Range Rover with fake plates to avoid any links to the Four Points. As much as the circumstances aren’t the best I can’t fight back the excitement at getting to drive the brand new car.

“You ready to do this, Bonnie?” I ask Cora as I return from loading our bags into the car.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, Clyde.” With a final hug to Abigail and Jonathan, who gives me a warning look, we head out. He made it clear earlier that she’s still very much off-limits and other than her training, I’m to keep my hands to myself.

Cole is in her apartment following her normal nightly routine so that it looks like she’s still there, meanwhile, Liam and Aidan are in a different car a few streets over, watching for the car I told them about. If everything goes to plan, they’ll be able to tail it while Cole makes it look like Cora is home alone, unprotected, which might lure them into sending someone up to her apartment.

The more of Angus’s men we can lure out and deal with, the better. Cora and I sneaked into the basement level of the building where I had parked the Range Rover right in front of the elevator. This placement meant we’d barely take five steps before she was safely inside the car, shielded by its tinted windows.

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