Page 108 of Dylan
I thought I had more time to get out of here. As Benson Boone croons about beautiful things, I can’t stop sobbing. My life was beautiful for just a little while. Now I don’t know what to think.
I’m losing everything all over again. Too weak to deal, I slide to the carpeted floor of the closet and lie there in a heap. I’m completely heartbroken.
Dylan
Taegan and Ciaránpulled up right after Ciara took off in my truck. I had Taegan drive us home. The tracker I keep on my vehicle led us here. I’m so lost.
I never meant to hurt her. I didn’t want her to find out like this. Hearing movement inside our bedroom, I pause and pull out my phone. Connecting to the sound system in the bedroom,I play the first song that comes to mind to block out any arguing we might do.
Taegan and Ciarán went up to the rooftop to give us space. Taking a deep breath, I then walk into the bedroom in search of the woman I love more than anything. As “Beautiful Things” plays and Benson Boone begs for her to stay, for me, I move to the closet where the lights are on. I freeze when I find her lying on the floor.
Panic fills me. Seeing that she’s only lying there as she sobs and she’s not physically hurt, I drop to my knees and crawl over to her slowly. When I get about a foot away, I reach for her ankle and wrap my fingers around it, needing to touch her.
She jerks away, killing me. I move closer and hover over her small body. My own tears sting the backs of my eyes.
“Baby, come here. Talk to me, let me be here for you,” I whisper in her ear.
She curls into a tighter ball. Reaching for her back, I begin to rub it. She turns her head slightly to look at me.
So much hurt fills her gaze. I cup her face and press my forehead to the side of it. Ciara reaches for my shirt and fists her hand in it.
“You lied to me,” she says softly.
“Baby, I planned to tell you everything once I had all the details and the okay. Logan said it wasn’t safe to tell me everything while we were in Dublin. He asked me for some time,” I reply.
“How much did you know?”
“I knew how your parents died and that my grandda had something to do with their deaths. Not what or how. The rest I learned today with you and Cole.”
“Can you give me some time? I don’t know how to feel right now. I’m hurt, angry, and confused.
“I want to be mad at you, but if not for you, they would have killed me and Ciarán like our parents. Somehow, you’re always keeping me safe, whether you know it or not,” she scoffs.
“No matter what, I always will. I love you. I’m not going to allow anything to happen to you. I swear, I wasn’t going to keep this from you forever.”
“But what does it all mean? What’s the Alliance? How do I fit into that?”
“It means you’ve been the key to one of the most powerful movements in the underworld. The Alliance will be the future of the world. The power, the money, the change.
“It means my evil-ass grandfather is rolling in his grave because we’re about to turn the world on its fucking head … together.” I swallow hard as I say the last word, unsure if she’s still with me.
She pushes me away as she turns on her back and looks up at me. I stare down at her, holding my breath. Blinking back tears, she pushes her hand into the front of her curls that are sprawled wildly around her head.
“What exactly am I inheriting?”
“A very old, very powerful Scottish clan. Cole inherited Clan O’Brien in Ireland, and like yours, Clan Black in Scotland has been passed down to Logan. From what I understand, all three clans come with names and power.
“We’ll be here for you. We’ll help you. It’s what our grandfathers wanted. We’ll finish this for your ma and da and for Raven. If you’ll allow me, I’ll be there every step of the way.”
“Dyl, I’m open to hearing them out, but first I need to settle the score with the Youngs. They owe me in blood. I won’t rest until I collect.”
“I hear you, baby. We’ll make that happen, I promise.”
She sits up and cups the sides of my face as she kisses me. I’m finally able to breathe again. Wrapping my arms around her, I hold her tight.
The more our lips touch, the deeper she seeps into my skin. I would never survive losing her. One way or the other, I’ll make this right.
“I need you,” I groan against her lips.
