Page 76 of Declan's Dove

“I’m sure you won’t have to worry about any of that with Declan,” Skyler says. She knows a little bit about my past. We were both running from our past and under the protection of Vincenzo and his men. We shared bits and pieces about our struggles with each other, but never the whole story.

A smile spreads across my face, and a warmth I can’t explain fills my chest as I tell her the truth now. “No. I don’t have to worry about any of those things where Declan is concerned. He’s protective and caring and he is very giving in bed.” I dip my chin, trying to hide the way my cheeks blush as they all squeal their words of encouragement at once.

“Hell yes!”

“I fucking knew it!”

“Good for you, Vi!”

I can’t hide my smile or the way my eyes fill with tears. Though, this time it’s tears of happiness. They’re happy for me and for the first time in a long time, I’m happy for me too.

“He’s a good man. And I love him.” I shrug. “He says he loves me too, and he wants me and Carter to be his family as soon as we get a handle on some things.”

I don’t get to finish because the men come flooding into the room, grumbling and seemingly angry.

“Told you they’d be grumpy,” Skyler whispers, nudging my shoulder.

“Blake, get me a whiskey. Make it a double,” Gabe demands. Mack asks for the same and takes a seat at the bar next to Gabe. Jake and Ethan cross the room and come to stand with their women. Avery and Skyler greet them both with kisses, snuggling into them as if they know what their men need. Caleb heads for the kitchen.

Declan stands staring at me from a few feet away. He doesn’t say anything, just curls his finger, summoning me to him. My feet move of their own accord. Once I’m within reach, he grips the back of my neck and slams his lips to mine. The kiss is quick, and full of heat.

“That’s better,” he says as he releases my now swollen lips. “You looked like you needed a reminder.”

“Of what?” I ask, still slightly dazed.

“That you’re mine and this is real.” He smiles down at me, planting a soft peck to my forehead. His arm still locked around my shoulder, he turns us and leads me back to the couch.

Hawk and Sadie are arguing about something while Jake, Ethan, and their women watch.

“You get used to them,” Declan whispers.

“Oh, I find them to be very entertaining,” I tell him. “One of these days she’s going to knock him on his ass and he’s not going to know what hit him. When that happens, Sadie’s screwed.” Declan’s shoulders shake with laughter.

“Yep. The pot is up to five hundred now for when it will happen,” he says in my ear.

Shocked, I ask, “You guys bet on when they’ll get together?”

“No,” he says, smiling. “We bet on how long it will be before Hawk quits fighting it and makes her his. But he’ll have to earn it. Sadie’s not going to make it easy.”

“No, she’s definitely not,” I agree.

The doors of the clubhouse open and in walks in Vincenzo, Matteo, and Santiago.

“Oh, shit.” I’m pulling out of Declan’s arms and running for Vincenzo, panic nearly stealing the breath from my lungs. “What’s wrong? Is Mili okay?” I barely manage to get the words out around the lump building in my throat.

“Easy, Violet. Breathe,” Vincenzo gently commands. Out of sheer habit, or maybe it’s the steely tone of his voice, I do as he says and take a few deep breaths. “Good girl,” He whispers. A large hand grips my elbow, pulling me back until my back smacks into a warm, muscular wall that’s—growling?

I tip my head up and find a very angry Declan. His eyes are locked on Vincenzo. “No.” One word. He says it so firmly and fiercely that I freeze. Declan drops his mouth to my ear and whispers, “Not angry with you, Dove. You have nothing to fear from me.” I glance back at him and see the truth staring back at me, but I’m still unsure why he’s angry then.

Declan tips his chin toward the three imposing Italian men and says, “Him.”

“Ah, come now, Mr. O’Malley. Violet and I are old friends.” The way Vincenzo says it, suggests we were more than friends and the repulsion I feel at the suggestion must show on my face because Santiago laughs quietly.

“I don’t think she likes what you’re insinuating there, Boss,” he says to Vincenzo.

“Hmm. I suppose you’re right, Santiago.” Vincenzo reaches out to touch me and Declan pulls me to stand behind him. Both Vincenzo’s hands come up in a placating manner, but his smile is lethal. “I’d never hurt, Violet. We have an agreement. I was simply going to help relieve her stress and answer her question.”

“Declan,” I whisper. “He’s telling the truth. He’d never hurt me. Please.” I beg. “I need to know about Mili.”

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