Page 28 of Taken By the Mobster

Declan traced a finger down her throat, over the center of her chest, and back. His hand closed around her throat again and her mouth fell open, inviting him to kiss her. This kiss was deeper, more intense than the first. It was Declan claiming her as his, his way of letting her know he wanted her. His tongue slid into her mouth and danced across her teeth. His sigh mingled with hers.

Heat spread through Olivia, and a tingle of desire exploded through every one of her nerve endings. She wrapped both arms around Declan and pushed herself up and into the kiss. She closed her eyes and let herself go.

Declan pulled away first and took a step back. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

Olivia shook her head. “Don’t. Don’t take this away from me by apologizing. This is something we both want, something we’ve both wanted for a long, long time. Don’t minimize it with half-hearted apologies.”

He brushed a hand down her cheek and smiled, the first genuine smile Olivia had seen on his face since he’d taken her from the bank. “No apologies. But I need to go. I need to get Drew some food and water.” Declan pulled her into his arms, kissed her cheek, and left. He didn’t lock the door behind him.

Olivia felt oddly sick to her stomach and strangely excited at the same time. It thrilled her to reconnect with Declan, but she was still afraid of him. He wasn’t the same person she had known all those years ago. The death of his sister broke him, changed him, and turned him into a mobster that people were terrified of crossing. She knew she had to be careful.

Her world had spun out of control, and there was no way of stopping it.

Chapter 14

Declan

Declan went downstairs after leaving Olivia. As exhausted as he was, he wasn’t sure he could sleep, so he decided another drink might help him relax. He made his way through the silent house and into the kitchen. After pouring a drink, he went out the back door. He stood on the porch, shivering as the chilly night air surrounded him. He scrubbed a hand over his face and grimaced at the gritty feeling in his eyes.

What the hell am I doing?

Declan sank to the top step on the porch, his elbows on his knees. He slid a cigarette out of the pack in his pocket, lit it, and took a slow drag, squinting as the icy breeze blew the smoke into his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

Falling for Olivia wasn’t part of the plan. In fact, it didn’t figure into his plan at all. Since he was close to finishing things with Clyde, he needed to stay focused and not let Olivia distract him. With his brother safe, Clyde had nothing left to hold over him. Nothing would keep Declan from destroying him.

Unless he finds out about Liv.

Declan chastised himself for his stupidity. He’d put Olivia in danger. If Clyde discovered Declan had feelings for her, it would only make him more desperate to kill her. Declan couldn’t decide whether he should keep Olivia by his side to protect her or send her away to ensure her safety. Neither option seemed like a good one.

He meant it when he said he wanted to protect her. Olivia had to be kept safe from harm. Which meant keeping her away from Clyde and the inevitable danger he presented. Declan hadn’t been able to protect his sister or his brother, but he would protect Olivia.

“With my life,” he vowed.

Declan slept like shit, tossing and turning all night. He gave up around six, climbed off the bed, and made his way downstairs to the kitchen.

Walsh was at the table with his phone in his hand. As soon as Declan walked into the room, he dropped it face down on the table.

“Uh, hey, Deck,” he said. “You sleep okay?”

“No,” Declan grumbled. “What are you doing?”

Walsh shrugged. “Oh, I was, uh, just checking last night’s basketball scores. I put some cash on the college games.”

Declan narrowed his eyes. “You put money on the games? With who?” If Walsh called Muldoon’s bookie to put money on the games, Clyde would find them.

Walsh’s eyes widened. He shook his head and snatched his phone off the table. “I used one of those betting apps,” he explained.

Declan’s shoulders relaxed and the tension in his neck eased. “Okay.” He exhaled. “March Madness, right? Any upsets?”

Walsh’s eyes darted left, then back to Declan. “Uh, no, I don’t think so.”

Declan grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled it with coffee from the pot by the stove. He searched the cupboards for something to stave off the headache pounding behind his eyes. “Is there any goddamn aspirin in this place?”

Walsh jumped out of his chair. “I think I saw some in the bathroom. I’ll get it.” He disappeared down the hall. He returned a minute later and set a bottle of aspirin on the counter.

“Thanks,” Declan mumbled. “Where is everybody?”

“Ezra went shopping,” Walsh explained. “She said something about five grown men in the house requiring more food. I think Conor and Murph are still asleep.”

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