Page 48 of Declan's Dove

“There’s nothing to figure out. I’m not his or anyone else’s. So, whatever you need to tell me, let’s get to it so I can get to my son.” I move to pass Declan and head into the cabin, knowing they’ll all follow. I only get one step past Declan before he leans down where only I can hear and whispers, “I call bullshit, baby. But we’ll get to that after these assholes leave.”

I look back at him over my shoulder, not sure what he means ‘when they leave’ because I have every intention of leaving with them.

We all make our way into the living area of the cabin. I spin around in the center of the room, taking it all in. It’s a beautiful open space with tall ceilings and large dark wood beams lining the A-frame ceiling. The kitchen island opens to the living room where they’ve all taken a seat on the two L-shaped couches facing each other, separated by a square dark wood table. The color matches the beams in the ceiling.

To the left of the kitchen is a wooden staircase leading to an open loft with a half wall looking over the living room. I assume it's the bedroom. My eyes are immediately drawn to the large back wall with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the most beautiful view of the forest and mountains behind us.

“It’s breathtaking,” I mutter.

“It sure is,” Declan says, pulling my attention to him. He’s standing beside the fireplace with his arms crossed over his chest—his favorite stance, I’ve noticed—and he’s staring straight at me. His dark brown eyes are full of desire, eating up every inch of me.

Help.

Deciding to ignore the heat in Declan’s eyes and the warmth settling in my core, I make my way over and sit on the edge of the first couch furthest from Declan.

“Someone needs to tell me what the hell is going on,” I state, glaring at Kayce, my arms crossed over my body as if they can shield me from whatever shitty thing he’s about to tell me.

“All right,” Kayce starts. “Someone’s been in your apartment and we’re not certain, but with what’s just happened to Emilia, it’s possible it’s someone on James’s payroll.”

“What? How?” My voice cracks. My throat feels tight. The sound of my pulse is echoing in my ears as the room begins to spin.

“Shit.” I don’t know who says it. My eyes are too hazy. Two large, calloused hands grip my face. “Breathe, Dove.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Declan

“What the hell, Kayce?” I shout.

Matteo heads into the kitchen, muttering something in Italian, rummaging through drawers. I hear the water running, but I don’t have time to worry about what that asshole is doing. I need to get my woman to fucking breathe.

Sitting down on the couch, I lift Violet and cradle her against my chest. Taking her hand and placing it over my heart, I hold it there and repeat softly, “Breathe, baby. You’re safe. I’ve got you. But I need you to breathe.”

Her tears are leaving a wet trail on my leather cut, but I don’t fucking care. She’s breathing, but it’s still too shallow for my liking. Her body is trembling with fear and on instinct I tighten my hold on her.

“You’re safe, baby. He can’t find you here. I won’t let him hurt you. You got me?”

Violet shakes her head. “You don’t know him. He’ll kill us all.” The words are barely spoken above a whisper, but I hear them.

“No, he won’t, Dove. I won’t let him. You just have to trust me. Can you do that?”

Violet sits up a little searching my face, her brows creased. “How can you promise to keep me safe when you don’t know what or who it is you’re protecting me from?”

I push a stray hair back behind her ear and tip her chin with my fingers.

“I know your ex is a dirty cop. Kayce filled me in on everything I needed to know.”

Her eyes snap top Kayce, who shrugs a shoulder. “Better to tell the devil you know, sweetheart. I’ve known O’Malley a long time. I trust him with your life. You should too.”

“And you think referring to Declan as the devil is supposed to make me want to trust him? Not likely.” Kayce’s stoicism is his only response. “And what exactly did you tell him, Kayce?”

Her murderous glare shouldn’t excite me, but damn if it doesn’t make me hard. She’s finally showing some fire, standing up for herself, and it’s sexy as hell.

“I didn’t tell him everything. I wouldn’t do that. Your story is yours to share, but he needed to know who he’s up against. Declan is good at his fucking job, but he’s only as good as the intel allows him to be.” Kayce’s left brow raises at the same time my woman’s face twists with something that resembles shame.

Asshole.

Violet’s glassy hazel eyes turn back to meet mine. “What about Carter? Is he safe? Has James found him?”

---