Page 42 of Dating the Don

It’s not even really a choice that I have to make at this point.

I let go of the gun and sprint towards Cristiano, who is breathing much harder than I would like. I get on my knees and removeCallum's body offhim, and hestarts breathing easier right away. The bullet has struck his side, near his ribs. All I can do is hope against hope that nothing important was harmed. I need him whole and in one piece as much as possible.

Whatever argument might have come before or after this is forgotten as I help him up to his feet.

It’s hard to believe that it’s really all over. That it’s finally finished. Both of our parents have been avenged. All of thoseyears, all of that pain brought about by these two bodies now on the floor.

Cristiano pulls me into his chest. I hug him back fiercely but he winces.

“It’s fine,” he lies. Ever the tough guy. I try to gingerly probe at the painful spot and find to my relief that it seems to have gone clean through the both of them. Now we just need to get medical attention so that nothing else happens to him. I turn while still in Cristiano’s arms to look down at the man on the ground with a frown. I knew from the one interaction that we had that he’s not the sort of person I would have wanted to know. But now the only other link back to my mother is dead with him. It’s a bittersweet sort of victory.

“I’ll have my men come for their bodies, it’s over now,” he says softly.

I nod. I thought that I might feel something after taking a person’s life, but I don’t. I don’t have this crushing sense of guilt or responsibility. I just want to go home.

Cristiano seems to read my mind as he pulls me in close once again.

“I love you, Maeve,” he says softly as he kisses my temple. “Let’s go home.”

CHAPTER 24

CRISTIANO

Maeve didn’t say it back.

I told her that I loved her, and she didn’t say it back. I didn’t even mean for the words to come out. I got caught up in the moment. That’s all that there is to it. At least, that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself. It certainly doesn’t make the words any less true. I’ve been wholly head over heels for her stubborn ass for most of my life. It’s just saying it out loud that I haven’t done before.

Was it a mistake?

I should be worrying about the bullet wound in my side but I would rather sit here and stew about whether or not she heard me. Maybe the adrenaline got the better of me. What I can’t deny, however, is how she impressed me.

Even now, as we stagger toward the car to take her back to the house and me to medical attention, I’m still impressed by her. Maeve has a hand braced on either side of me, holding me upright as we move through the halls and into the warmsunlight. Funny how much has happened and none of the people out here will ever be the wiser. At least not today.

Tomorrow, perhaps, I will return with Al to fully process the consents of the building. The Doyle family has had their claws in this territory for a long time. It's going to be quite the undertaking to finish switching things into my land. It’s one of the largest acquisitions that I’ve seen for our family. After it’s done, there will be no more questioning if I’m ready to have my father’s position or not. I will have finished proving myself to my men beyond a shadow of a doubt. It’s a surreal feeling.

I bite back a hiss of pain as I slide into the back of the car. Maeve follows closely after. I lift my arm to keep her close to me, and she snuggles into my side. I see her being careful not to touch the still bleeding wound on my side. We’ve patched it up the best that we can. That’s all that can be done at the moment, and we both know it. I don’t mind it. It’s further proof of Maeve’s strength. That, and it also will be a permanent scar that will remind me not to underestimate her. She has also earned her spot at my side.

“It’s weird, but it almost feels like all of my goals are closer now,” Maeve sighs as Al slides into the driver’s seat and the car rumbles to life.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that… I dunno, I guess that since I’ve been wanting answers about mom’s death for all of these years… to finally know that she’s been avenged even if I don’t know the reason behind it all, it’s like those storm clouds are no longer over my head,” Maeve shrugs one shoulder. “Maybe it’s stupid, but I think that I was keeping myself from moving onto that nextphase of my life until I did this, and now it’s like everything is finally possible.”

Something sours in my stomach.

I swallow back those emotions. I guess she’s got a point. Our deal is officially concluded. As soon as we return to the house, she will be well within her rights to call this whole wedding off. She will not be a threat to my men any longer now that she’s proven herself. She will forever have my protection, of course. Who am I to stop her from chasing after her dreams?

“Of course. I hope that it goes without saying that I will do everything within my power to ensure that you are able to achieve anything that you wish,” I say as I squeeze her arm supportively.

Maeve nods. Her index finger trails over the blood splatters on my shirt as if tracing the outlines of some abstract painting. “I've always felt really fortunate to share my mother's dream. I knewthat having me when she did and the decisions she had to make would prevent her from pursuing her dream career. The fact that she wasn't the kind of mother who would try to put that kind of pressure on me was another huge blessing. She always supported me. I have a strong feeling shewould be proudif I attendfashion school and realizeour shared ambition.”

I listen intently. Of course, she should. For as long as I’ve known her, she and Ada have been planning out versions of that story. Even when they were in elementary school, Maeve would alter Ada’s clothes into new looks. Ada would force all of father’s men to gather around and watch them while they put on lengthy fashion shows. They had been planning that path for themselves for as long as I can remember.

It’s only right that she does it now.

Even if that means that she must leave me behind.

My duty and life is here. I can’t go with her to Paris or whatever fancy school she wants to go to. Ada could, of course, accompany her. I could even send one of my best men with them to make sure that no matter where they go, they are completely and utterly safe. That would be the best option. Maeve’s never truly been comfortable accepting my money, so I can always just create a scholarship and gift it to her. Then she won’t have to use any of her savings while she’s away.

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