Page 120 of Dylan
I tug him into me by the back of his head, cutting his words off. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I love this kid. He doesn’t have to thank me for shit. I’d do it all again.
“What you did and what you were willing to do earned my respect. I’d cover your ass a million times over without you having to ask once. I don’t just love your sister. I love you too, man.
“You are my little brother, Ciarán. Long before we met, you were my family. Your Gaelic still sucks ass, but you’re the best little brother I could ever ask for,” I choke out.
“Yeah, well. I’m hoping to get better while I’m here with the uncles,” he laughs and pulls away.
“You’re really thinking about staying?”
“Yeah, Ciara has done nothing but take care of me. I’ve been thinking since you asked me to help you out. Maybe I’ll just stay for a year. Don’t worry, I’ll still train. Taegan wants to keep booking fights for me.
“Maybe I’ll be like my dad and train over here while fighting in the States. Ciara said I could have the farm in Ireland if I don’t want to stay here, but dude, come on. This castle is as fire as you guys’ place. Besides, the uncles treat me like royalty.”
I pat his cheek. “Whatever you decide, we’re always a call away. I’m going to miss you.”
“Enough of the mush. Ciara will be here soon. We should get into our places.”
I nod and punch my gloves together as I stand. Here goes nothing. Time to prove I always keep my promises.
Ciara
I’mready to wrap my hands around Taegan, Dahila, and Lily’s necks. I had planned to stay in and sleep the day away. I’m wiped from the wedding and making love all night. Okay, who am I kidding?
Dylan spent the night fucking me and I happily took every bit of it. I didn’t even feel him get up and leave this morning. Instead, I woke to Taegan scratching at the door like a little cat. When I finally got up and answered the door, she rushed me to get in the shower and get dressed.
I still don’t know what all of this is about. My curiosity goes through the roof as we pull up to the McDougal castle. I hadn’t planned to come here on this visit.
My uncles turned out to be cool, but they are so stern and grumpy. Ciarán seems to bond with them a lot more than I do. It’s not that they treat me bad. They’re just … I can’t explain it.
To be honest, I think they like me. Deja has a relationship with them, but she did live here for a while before moving to the little village with our great-grandmother.
However, from the looks of it, they’re having a party or something today. There are a bunch of cars parked around the courtyard. Taegan rushes from the car and grabs me to pull me out with her.
“What’s going on? What are we doing here?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” Lily says with a big, goofy smile.
She really did want a little sister. She spends more time in New York now, with both her father and brother gone. Once Theo woke that night, Dylan put him to sleep for good and Theo was buried with the others in the cement poured out back for the new edition.
Lily didn’t have any hard feelings. She already knew the two were heading in that direction. It was only a matter of time. Besides, she met her boyfriend while working reception at my shop.
Our relationship has become stranger. She has proved her loyalty more than once since that night. I think she regrets not being able to save Sean, but she doesn’t lose sleep over it.
“You guys are starting to weird me out,” I mumble.
And then we step out into the backyard of the castle, and I freeze. The place has been transformed. There is a boxing ring in the center of the grounds and bleachers on either side.
The seats are already packed with our family and friends. Logan and Cole are in the front row, where these three are now dragging me.
“What’s going on?”
“Ugh, she told ya. Ya’ll find out soon enough. The sooner ya get to yer seat, the faster ya can find out.”
I shake my head and follow them. I sit between Logan and Cole. Deja reaches across Cole to squeeze my hand as she gives me a huge smile. Taegan, Daliah, and Lily are sitting behind me.
I can feel the excitement coming off everyone around us. I look around, trying to understand what’s happening. That’s when Dylan is announced and comes into the ring. I watch on, wondering what he’s up to.
I look over and see Ciarán step behind a curtain, wearing one of those suits they wear to create video games. Then the next fighter is announced and I can’t stop sobbing. If I didn’t know I loved this man before, I’ve fallen all over again in this very moment.
