Page 20 of Taken By the Mobster

Declan nodded.

“What about Olivia?” Conor asked. “And for Christ’s sake, don’t say ‘I don’t know’ or I will kick your ass.”

Declan downed his scotch. “I’m not letting her go.”

“What?”

“I’m not letting her go,” Declan repeated. “I can’t protect her if she’s not with me.”

Conor sighed. “Are you sure?”

“No, I’m not sure of anything. I don’t want to hold her hostage indefinitely, but if I let her go, I’m afraid Clyde will find her and kill her. I have no choice but to keep her close, to keep her safe.” He’d considered releasing her, but the thought of Clyde finding her and hurting her held him back.

“This woman shouldn’t matter,” he silently chastised himself. In fact, he should run away from her, just knowing Olivia was dangerous. But he couldn’t leave her.

The thought surprised him, even scared him a little. The only people in his life he gave a damn about were Conor and Drew. When did Olivia become one of those people?

“It’s your call, boss,” Conor said.

Declan rolled his eyes at Conor’s sarcastic use of the word “boss.” “Talk to Ruthie and formulate a plan to get Drew out. I trust the two of you to get it right.”

The pocket doors opened, and Ezra entered, a stack of clothes under one arm. She nodded at Conor and Declan, then she grabbed a bottle of water from the top of the bar.

“I settled your guest in a room on the third floor,” she said.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it,” Declan said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help, Ezra.”

“Save it,” Ezra snapped. She spun on her heel and left the room.

“Talk to Ruthie,” Declan said. He refilled his glass from the bottle on the bar, then he followed Ezra down the hall. He caught up with her at the bottom of the stairs.

“Ezra? Are those for Olivia?”

Ezra stopped on the third step, turned to look down at him, and nodded. “She can’t stay in what she’s wearing. They’re so big on her, they’re falling off. It’s indecent. I found some of my sister’s old clothes. It won’t be a perfect fit, but it will cover her better than what she’s wearing.”

“I’ll take them up,” Declan said.

Ezra shook her head and sighed. “What are you doing, Declan?”

He stared up at her. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“What are you doing with that girl? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Declan said.

“I know who she is, Declan.”

Declan narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean you know who she is?”

Ezra smirked. “She’s Sean O’Reilly’s daughter. Clyde Braniff’s fiancée.” When Declan opened his mouth to protest, she silenced him with one look. “Don’t try to convince me she isn’t. I lived and worked in Boston long enough to know what she looks like. Changing her hair color doesn’t change her identity. Being with that woman is a bad idea. It’s dangerous. I didn’t think you were this stupid.”

“I know what I’m doing,” Declan said.

Ezra shook her head. “I don’t think you do.”

Declan went up the stairs, took the clothes from Ezra, and tucked them under his arm. “I’ll take these to her. Do you have the key to the room?”

Ezra took the key out of the pocket in her dress and handed it to Declan.

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