Page 77 of Dylan
Four months and a week later …
“I miss you too.I wish you were here,” I say to Ciara as I pace the grounds of the McGowan property.
I wanted to bring Ciara and Ciarán along, but my father and Cole didn’t think it was a good idea. In fact, my father got this look on his face I still don’t understand, and he wouldn’t elaborate.
Not even when Cole asked about it. I got the feeling Dad knows more than he’s letting on. However, he made it clear this wedding wasn’t the time for Ciara to appear.
“I wish I were there too, but you said you would be home as soon as the wedding and that business trip with your family are over. Focus on your family. We’ll be here when you get back.”
“Hey, baby. I love you. I’ll call you back after the wedding reception when I get back to my room.”
“Love you. Talk to you later.”
I hang up as I keep my eyes on my brother standing off to the side, outside the tent where Toby’s wedding reception is being held. He’s staring down at his phone with his lips pursed in concentration. It’s the first time I’ve been able to get him alone since last night.
I walk over to say the words that have been rattling in my brain since we parted ways. A few things were revealed while we were out drinking with our cousins. I need to say this before it burns a hole in my chest.
“I might have been drunk, but I heard what Carrick said last night,” I say to Cole, sounding as hurt as I feel. “DJ is here.”
Cole hasn’t told me once where DJ has been, but Carrick and the others seemed to know more about her than Cole has ever shared with me. After what happened in Cali, I’ll admit the revelation stings.
He looks up from his phone and locks eyes with me. “Aye, I can hear yer thoughts. I’ve been meaning to apologize to ya. I was too hard on ya over what happened.
“Deja wants to come to the States, but I can’t guarantee her safety there yet. I’ve finally gotten a handle on things here for her to come back to Ireland, but not without a lot of eyes on her and hoops I’m jumping through.
“I was frustrated with the situation and blamed ya for one of my biggest fears. I’d do anything to keep her safe. It’s hard to do that when I can’t give her the answers she wants.
“I’m still earning her trust, which is hard for reasons ya wouldn’t understand. What happened with Bailey wasn’t yer fault. This shit is taking a toll on me, on everyone.
“It’s been two years. He should be home. Until he is, we still have to be careful. Like I said, I’ve finally tamed the bullshithere, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try me. I’m doing what I need to make sure everyone, especially Deja and Shauna, comes out on the other side of this.”
I swallow down my hurt and nod. “You’re doing a great job. Logan will be proud. I know Da is.
“You don’t owe me anything. I was wrong, but it will never happen again.”
My brother snorts and pats my cheek. “Aye, it will. You’re in love. We become blind when we fall. Fuck, I’m walking into walls left and right.” With that, he walks off and joins Wyatt and Noah as they horse around at the entrance of the tent.
Walking into the tent, I spot Granny McGowan sitting with Auntie Cass. The woman has already put away more alcohol than the lot of us combined. Everyone is happy for Toby.
I’ll be hitting the gym hard after this trip and all the alcohol I’ve been consuming. I shake my head at myself and head for the table my cousins have gathered around.
Cadlha
“What do ya have for me?”I say to the asshole across from me.
Arnold has had a crush on me since I joined Roaring Irish. However, I have always had my sights set on Dylan. Although I did keep Arnold close enough to be my pet.
Ten grand and the promise of a date made him not only my pet but my spy. While my cousin back in Ireland works on tryingto find me something on that bitch, I’m working my angles from this end.
“Right now, Dylan is away at his cousin’s wedding, but he didn’t take her or the kid with him.”
“That’s it?”
“No, no. The kid, he’s your in. She’s protective of him and would do anything for him. You could totally use him to get her to do anything you want. If you can get him away from Book and Aidan, you can use him against her.
“Tuesdays, that’s when you can strike. Booker drops him off at the gym, but there’s like a thirty-minute window between when his trainer arrives and the time that she’s with Halley.
“Taegan is never around during that time. I don’t think they’ve realized the hole they created during that time since Dylan has been away. Any other time, he’s covered by someone at all times. As long as you pull this off before Dylan gets back, you’re good,” he says, looking around nervously.
