Page 59 of Taken By the Mobster

“Shane—.”

Olivia put her hand on Declan’s, silencing him. “Liv,” she said. “My name is Liv O’Reilly.” She narrowed her eyes. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

Shane nodded. He got out of his chair and crossed the room to take her hand in his. He shook it, a soft smile on his face. “I think I like you, Liv O’Reilly. You’re Sean O’Reilly’s eldest daughter, right?”

Olivia nodded. “Yes, he’s my father.”

“Aw, yes, the wayward daughter. It’s wonderful to meet you.” Shane kissed her cheek, chuckled, and returned to his chair, clapping Declan on the shoulder as he passed him. He sat down and steepled his fingers under his chin. “Are you planning to go home to see your family, Ms. O’Reilly?”

Olivia made a face. “I would like to, but it hasn’t been a possibility. Not right now.”

“Perhaps that will change.” Shane smiled. “Let’s get you something to eat, shall we?”

His friendly words filled the air with a feeling of warmth. He had one of his men bring Olivia food and coffee before he returned to his discussion with Declan, Conor, and Drew.

Olivia sat back and enjoyed the first home-cooked meal she’d had in forever. She sipped the strong, sweet coffee, letting its warmth settle deep into her bones. Declan sat beside her, an arm over the back of her chair and his fingers resting on her shoulder.

“We should be back in three, maybe four days at the most,” Shane said. “If everything goes according to plan.”

“Plan? What plan?” Olivia asked. She turned to Declan. “Are you leaving?”

Declan nodded.

“Where are you going? Wherever it is, I’m going with you,” Olivia said.

Shane chuckled. “You’re not going anywhere, sugar. You are staying right here where you’ll be safe and sound. We’ll be back before you know it.”

Olivia turned to Declan, her look questioning without saying a word. Declan cleared his throat and stood up.

“Will you excuse us? I think Liv and I need to talk.” Declan took her arm, helped her to her feet, and led her out of the room.

They walked down a wide, grand hallway and into a small sitting room under the enormous staircase. Declan took her inside, closed the door behind them, and guided her to a loveseat in the corner. He helped her sit down before he perched on the edge of the couch beside her.

“What is going on, Declan?” Olivia asked. She hated the way her voice shook as she spoke. “Where are you going?”

“We’re going back to Boston,” Declan replied. He refused to look into her eyes; instead, he gazed at her, their hands clenched together.

“Wh-what?” A scream rose in her throat, but she shoved it down. She concentrated on taking deep breaths, anything to calm her racing pulse and stop the panic building deep in her gut, trying to burst out of her in a primal scream. “Why? Why would you go back?”

“I have to go, sweetheart,” Declan whispered. “If I don’t do this, you will never be safe.”

“Do what? What are you going to do?”

“We’re going to take care of Clyde,” he said. “Once and for all. I’m going to take care of him, and you will never have to worry again. You will be safe.”

Olivia was on the verge of losing control. Tears fell from her eyes, her hands shook, and her stomach churned. Every fiber of her being screamed at her not to let him go. She gasped, unable to fill her lungs with air.

“Declan,” she murmured. “Please, don’t go. You want to keep me safe, but what about you? I need you safe and here with me. I know you think you need to kill Clyde, to make some grand gesture so he’ll never bother us again, but I’m begging you not to go. For the love of God, Declan, do not go.”

“I have to,” he said. “I have no choice.”

He took her chin in his hand, tilted her head back, and kissed her. It felt like a goodbye, and it made her heart ache. Declan brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb and kissed the corner of her mouth.

“You stay here with Drew,” he said. It was an order, his tone showing there was no room for argument. “He will take care of you until I get back. I promise you I will be back.” He kissed her forehead. “I promise.”

Declan walked out of the sitting room, leaving her alone. Olivia waited a few minutes before she followed, stepping into an empty hallway. She went up the stairs to the room they’d put her in and went straight to the window. From her vantage point, she could see the driveway. She watched Declan and Conor get into a car with Shane and drive away.

Olivia wiped at the tears rolling down her face. Dread settled in her heart. She would never see Declan again. He had finally come back to her, and she was going to lose him.

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