Page 91 of The Thief
"Henry?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad to be home."
His smile could power half of Dublin. "I'm glad you're home too, love. Gladder than you'll ever know."
Later, after Henry's gone to bed, I find myself standing at the bedroom window, looking out at the dark woods. Somewhere out there, Trace Harrington is planning his next move, thinking of new ways to hurt this family.
New ways to hurt me.
But for the first time since this all started, I'm not afraid. I'm part of something bigger now, something worth fighting for. I've got family who'd die to protect me, and I'd die to protect them.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts. "Come in."
Freddie enters, already changed into sleep clothes; t-shirt and boxer shorts that show off the lean muscle of his arms and legs. He looks younger like this, less dangerous. Almost normal.
"Can't sleep?" he asks.
"Too much to process."
"Good talk with Henry?"
"The best. I finally understand what I've been fighting against all this time."
"Which is?"
"Being loved. Being part of something. Being worth protecting."
He moves closer, close enough that I can see the gold flecks in his dark eyes. "And how do you feel about that now?"
"Terrified. But ready."
"Ready for what?"
"For whatever comes next. For this family, this life, this war. For you."
"For me?"
I turn to face him fully, decision made. "I'm falling for you."
The words hang between us, too honest, too raw. But true. Somewhere between Belfast and Dublin, between fear and trust, I fell in love with this dangerous man who'd burn down the world to keep me safe.
"Alastríona—"
"I know it's insane. I know we haven't known each other long enough for this to make sense. But when I thought I might lose you tonight, when I realized what you mean to me..."
"What do I mean to you?"
"Everything. Home. Safety. The future I never thought I'd want."
He closes the distance between us and cups my face in his hands. "I'm falling for you too. You've come to mean so much to me. I care for you more than I have ever cared for anyone."
"Even knowing what I am? What I come from?"
"Especially knowing that. You're not just Killian's daughter or Henry's granddaughter. You're Alastríona, and you're mine."
When he kisses me, it's different from before. Deeper, more certain. Like a promise being made, a future being claimed.
