Page 41 of Creatures in the Night

“I still don’t like it,” he said.

“Neither do I,” I admitted. “But what choice do I have? If they’re not going to bring her to me, then I have to go get her.”

“Not by yourself,” he pointed out.

“Naill-”

“No,” he said, cutting me off. “Until we can question Craig, we don’t know who to trust, and that includes Naill. If you’re going to go, then take Cathal with you. Him or Lochlan since she’s still injured.”

“I’ll have Cathal drive me,” I replied, making up my mind. “Lochlan can check on her once we get back home.”

“Are you sure that you want to do that?”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “Do what?”

“Take her to your home,” he clarified. “Someone tried to kill her, and she believes that it was you, Noah. She believes that it was you because of something that she overheard between the shooters or the shooter and Craig. Is she safe at your place?” He threw his hand up to stop me before I could lose my shit on him. “And I’m not saying that to insult you. I know that you’re very capable of keeping her safe when you have all the facts, but will she feel safe at your place?”

“She doesn’t have a choice,” I bit out, hating the truth in his words. “If I have to clear out the entire building until this mess is cleared up, then I will.”

“Maybe you guys could stay at the cabin for a few days,” he suggested. “At the very least, until we’re able to question Craig more...thoroughly.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said, relenting a little bit.

“I’ll let Keavy know that you might be spending some time there,” he returned evenly, gauging to see if I really had shit under control.

“You know, I used to think that you were insane for the way you risked everything for your wife, but I get it now, and it’s not a fun feeling,” I told him.

Declan just grinned. “If she doesn’t scare you just a little bit, then she’s not the one.”

“I also hate how I can actually sympathize with Sartori now,” I added, really hating it.

“Tell me about it,” he grumbled, and love really was a motherfucker.

Chapter 26

Shea~

Acting as if my parents hadn’t raised me better, when Ivan had suggested that we eat first, I had immediately agreed and had even allowed him to buy, promising to pay him back as soon as I sold my wedding rings. Of course, he had refused my offer, but I hadn’t wanted to seem ungrateful when he’d had no obligation to help a complete stranger.

When we’d been served, I’d done my best not to shove the food in my mouth, but I hadn’t realized how hungry I’d been. I also knew that I was going to hit an adrenaline crash soon. The hospital never should have released me so soon to go home, but I also understood their position. When you had people like Declan O’Brien and Noah Murphy in your face, it was hard to insist on doing the right thing. Plus, it hadn’t helped that Noah had promised Lochlan’s services, and the one thing that everyone could agree on was that Lochlan Murphy was one of the best physicians in the state.

At any rate, I knew that I had to sell my rings quickly, then finally get to a motel before I dropped where I stood. I needed to rest before I made any more stupid mistakes, and as surprising as it sounded, I felt comfortable finding a motel in the area. While I had no idea who Ivan was or if he held any power with the Kotovs, I still didn’t feel as if I was in danger with him.

I was nearly done eating when a shadow glided across the table, and I looked up, expecting to see Ivan coming back from the restroom. However, it wasn’t Ivan, and as much as I’d wanted to be surprised, I wasn’t. Deep down, I’d always known better.

“The Russians, lass?” Noah drawled out. “Really?”

I set the utensils down, then pushed my plate forward a bit. “How’d you find me?”

“Does it matter?”

“No, I don’t suppose that it does,” I admitted.

Noah’s cerulean blue eyes were alive with a fire that should scare me, but it didn’t. He might have won this battle, but the war was far from over. Unless he decided to keep me under lock and key, escape was still possible, and having learned from my mistakes, I wouldn’t be so stupid about it next time.

“Now, this is what’s going to happen, lass,” he said, his eyes boring into mine. “If you are finished with your meal, you are going to calmly walk out of here with me, almost as if you’re a loving wife, and then we’re going home.”

“And if I don’t?”

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