Page 73 of Wild Irish

Not that I’m happy now.

But I had been.

I had a taste of happiness.

A taste of passion.

Of love. Even if it was only one-sided.

I don’t know what’s worse, never having it and not knowing what you’re missing, or tasting a moment of real happiness, and knowing you’ll never feel it again.

I keep moving, forcing the memories out of my head. Numbing my heart, replacing hope with anger. I know now why Cillian hardened himself. It’s easier not to feel anything than the pain of betrayal.

The sky is a deep shade of purple with traces of orange when I finally stop and sit down on a bench in front of the Navy Pier.

My feet are aching, and I’m sure I have blisters on top of my blisters, but I welcome the pain. Anything to distract me from the empty pit in the center of my chest.

I turn my phone back on to check the time. As soon as I do, it starts ringing in my hand. I ignore the call, but almost immediately it starts ringing again.

I don’t recognize the number, but I know it’s not Cillian’s.

With a heavy sigh, I answer. “Hello?”

“Thank God, Delaney,” the woman says breathlessly.

I frown, recognizing the voice. “Emer?”

“Where are ye?” She sounds frantic.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Just tell me where ye are.”

“In front of Navy Pier. Why?”

“Navy Pier,” she repeats. The connection gets muffled, and I can barely make out what she’s saying.

“Emer?”

“Don’t leave. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Wait. What’s going–”

“Just promise me ye won’t go anywhere.”

“I promise, but–”

The call ends, and I’m left staring at my damn phone, not knowing what just happened. I think about leaving. I’m not sure what Cillian told her, or why she wants to see me, but I know it won’t lead to anything good.

Chapter 36

Cillian

“Go. I’ll tell Aiden and Shane ye found her.” Emer nods towards the limo that’s waiting for me outside the Waldorf.

The past five hours, I’ve been all over the damn city looking for Delaney. After going back to her apartment and interrogating her roommate, I went to her work, but she never showed up for her afternoon shift.

Emer hands me the small jewelry box. “I’m trusting ye can do this one thing without screwing it up.”

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