Page 73 of Dylan
Cole was right. He did need me here. Lincoln’s wife’s friend was shot and is in a coma.
I’ve been tasked with helping my cousin John look after Mark’s girlfriend. She was an eyewitness to the shooting and saved the guy’s life. I agree that she needs someone to look out for her.
John and I have been taking turns here at the hospital since the shooting. I only got to spend one day and night with Ciara since we’ve been here.
“Hey, go on. Take your girl to the airport. I’ve got this,” John says as I look down at my phone, frowning.
I look up into his golden eyes and think of my mother and her brother. Uncle Joe was happy to see me when I got in. I could tell by the bear hug he gave me.
I’ve often wished we all lived closer to one another. However, I now know that wasn’t possible because of my scumbag grandfather. From what I know, we’re lucky to have the relationship we have. Especially the relationship we had with Grandda Ian before cancer took him from us.
“Nah, you’ve been with Bailey all day and last night. I’ve got it,” I reply.
“Dylan, she hasn’t left Mark’s side. You can take your girl to catch her flight, and I’ll hold things down here. If you see her to her flight safely, your head will be here and not on that phone. Go on,” John says pointedly.
I lick my lips and think about this. I have been more focused on my phone than anything else. I start to feel like shit because my focus should be here with my family and business.
Releasing a long breath, I nod. “All right, I’ll be right back as soon as she’s on her flight. If you need me, call.”
“It will be fine. See you when you get back,” John says and pats me on my back.
I jump up, look down at my watch, and take off. I have enough time to pick Ciara up from our hotel room and get her to the airport for her flight. I’ll be back before anyone notices I’m gone.
Ciara
“Book will be waitingfor you at the airport. Taegan upgraded you to first class. You have the keys I gave you?”
“Yes, Dylan. I know how to take a flight and get home,” I giggle.
He’s worse than a parent sending their kid to day care for the first time. You would think I were a child the way he’s been fussing over me. Reaching for the straps on my carry-on, he fixes them for the millionth time as he leans in to kiss my forehead.
“Call me as soon as you land,” he says as he searches my eyes.
I lift onto my toes and cup his face as I peck his lips. Before I can pull away and settle back on my heels, he takes my lips in a scorching-hot kiss. I’m blushing when he releases me.
I bury my face in his chest and inhale him as I give his waist a squeeze. The last couple of days weren’t what I thought they would be. I spent most of my time alone in the hotel while he took care of whatever it was his brother needed him to do.
I may have been here in Cali with him, but it’s been lonely. I don’t think I want to know what life is like without him. I’m not looking forward to getting back to New York and being in that big apartment all by myself.
It will still be two days before Ciarán gets back and there’s still no telling when Dylan will be home. This is going to be so hard. I’ve grown so used to waking with him or going to bed in his arms.
“I should go,” I say and release him.
“I love you, baby. I’ll be home as soon as we wrap things up here.”
“I love you too. See you when you get home.”
I start to back away, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he holds on until his long fingers can no longer reach my fingertips as I back away. My stomach drops.
No longer able to watch the wide range of emotions running across his face as he balls his fists and works his jaw, I turn andhead for my flight. I keep telling myself everything will be okay. However, I have this feeling, like he shouldn’t be here.
CHAPTER 27
Failed Again
Dylan
I standin the parking lot of the hospital feeling like a small child as my brother intercepts me by my rental car. We’ve been out here for about ten minutes now as he goes in on me for my mistake.
