Page 62 of Declan

But then, a male voice in the center of the group asks loudly, “Issa. How do you feel about your new husband murdering your ex-fiancé?”

I trip over my own feet, startled that someone would say something so baseless and crass, and Declan’s hands quickly steady me. He makes sure I’m okay and then turns to face the group, who are now standing still, waiting to see how we will react. He gives the smirking man a cool look and then says calmly, “Unless you have proof to back up your claims, I suggest you keep your false allegations to yourself.”

“Oh, we have proof,” the man sneers. “You’ll see.”

Declan rolls his eyes and waves his hand dismissively. “Looking forward to it.”

He doesn’t wait for anyone to ask any other questions, motioning for me to proceed him as we walk the short distance to our waiting car and then climb into the backseat. I scoot over to the far window, and he follows me, sitting so close he’s basically sitting in the middle of the seat. I smile, still surprised by his severe level of attachment.

He puts his arm around my shoulders, and I stare out the window, unsure what to say. After a few minutes, he asks, “Say whatever you need to say, doll face.”

I sigh, shrugging as I turn to face him. “What is there to say?”

“Are you worried that I did it?”

“I don’t know what I am,” I reply mildly because that’s the truth. I have no idea what to think about anything beyond our immediate relationship and the fact that whatever may or may not have happened between Declan and Bobby before we got together is mostly irrelevant.

He remains quiet for a moment then adds, “You can be honest with me, Issa. I may not like what you have to say, but I’ll never tell you how to feel or how to react.”

“I know, Declan. I believe you.”

He searches my eyes and then nods, obviously taking me for my word as he faces forward again, but his arm remains around me, and he pulls me even closer into his side.

We remain quiet for the rest of the drive home, that same silence following us up into the house and to our bedroom. I go about getting ready for bed, hanging my dress up in the closet, and then walking into the bathroom to wash my face. He watches me from the doorway, leaning lazily against the doorjamb, and I meet his eyes in the mirror, raising a brow questioningly. “Do you have something you need to say, Declan?”

He shakes his head, giving me a small smile. “I just like watching you.”

I return his smile and roll my eyes slightly at his sentimentality, though it’s no secret that I enjoy this side of him. After a few moments, he pushes off the doorjamb and walks to my side, where he bends down and places a kiss against my cheek. “I have a few calls I need to make. I’ll be back shortly, but don’t wait up. I know you have an early morning.”

I raise my face to his so he’ll kiss me properly on my lips, and after he does, I watch in the mirror as he exits the room. It’s not like he has never been delayed joining me in bed at night due to business before, but for some reason, this feels different. I give my reflection a suspicious look as I contemplate my options.

I finish my basic skincare routine, then grab a robe off the hook by the bathroom door, pulling it on as I exit the bedroom and walk down the hallway. His office door is partially open, giving me the impression his current calls aren’t as secret society as I originally assumed, but I don’t let this deter me.

I slow my pace as I approach the door, listening intently as I walk into the room, but still moving fast enough where I can’t be accused of outright eavesdropping. All I catch is him saying something needs to be taken care of, but then he sees me and ends the call without saying goodbye. “Do you need something, doll face?”

I stop about halfway between the door and his desk, crossing my arms over my chest as I reply, “How about the truth?”

“The truth about what?”

“Whatever it is you’re in here making clandestine calls about.”

He smiles and raises his brows as he replies, “Clandestine? Really?”

“Okay, fine,” I retort impatiently. “Shady? Sneaky? Suspicious? Is that better?”

A flash of annoyance crosses his features, but as quickly as it’s there, it’s gone, and he sighs. “I can assure you I’m not being any of those words.”

“Then tell me who you’re calling.”

“My brother,” he answers easily, and I immediately deflate slightly, his response surprising me.

But then I remember that shady is definitely a word Declan has used to describe his brother, and I bristle again. “And what did you need him to take care of for you?”

His eyes narrow, and some of his cool facade splinters as I throw his words back at him. His jaw clenches, and his cheek twitches, but then he settles back into his usual calm self. “That doesn’t concern you.”

“Doesn’t concern me?” I sputter, my hands coming down and fisting at my sides as he continues to stare back at me passively.

He doesn’t say anything for a few long moments, but then he sighs loudly and says, “The less you know right now, the better. Just leave it at that for now, please.”

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