Page 83 of Midnight Escape

She wanted to be flippant and say, “Oh him,” but the idea of staying was too serious. “I’m going home.” That’s what she’d wanted these past few months.

As if sensing her need to think, her brother said goodbye and left her alone.

She loved Ireland. Her home. But she’d come to love Baltimore also. She wanted to go home; she just wasn’t ready. She wanted more time with Danny.

When she and Declan left Danny’s home a couple of nights prior, all she’d thought about was whether Danny worked for Boyle and how he’d reacted to her leaving. He’d been hurt, and that somehow made her feel her brother’s information had been wrong. But her thoughts hadn’t been because of love.

When she was in the cabin, all she thought about was Danny. But that was because she knew he could rescue her. Not because of love. And when she thought Quinn might kill her after he talked to her, all she thought of was Danny. Not because he could rescue her, but because—

She straightened. Being the last person she was thinking of before death—unless it’s the killer—must mean something. Dare she say love? She couldn’t live without him and not because of her situation. She couldn’t leave because she couldn’t leave Danny.

It boiled down to her being in love. Her body lightened as if a heavy weight had been lifted. It must’ve been denial.

“I love him,” she acknowledged out loud. Then excitedly, she said, “Oh, I have to tell him.”

“Tell who what? Do I need to get Declan back? Please say no.”

Dumbfounded, she stared.

Danny shifted his feet like a schoolboy. “I just came to check on you. I don’t know how things ended with your brother, but I wanted to be here for you.”

How sweet and thoughtful. This man was perfect. “Yes,” she blurted.

“Yes, you need me to get Declan?”

She shook her head and settled the butterflies in her stomach. “I love you, andaye, I’ll stay, assuming you can make me legal in the US.”

He walked forward, wrapped his arms around her, picked her up and spun her around.

Giggling, she enjoyed the ride.

Once he stopped, he held her until she caught her balance. He pulled back and placed his hands on her cheeks. “You’ve made me the happiest man.”

He leaned in and their lips barely touched, and she wanted to cry out, but he did it several times, as if kissing every inch of her lips. Then, his kiss deepened until he coaxed her lips to open her mouth. Complying, she accepted his tongue as the two sealed their future together.

Epilogue

When Justin arrived, Danny wasn’t surprised. They’d learned the DEA didn’t have enough to charge Boyle with conspiracy to commit murder. But Boyle had traded product with the US. So the DEA had plenty other charges they felt were strong enough to send Boyle away for a long time.

“You heard?” Justin asked, as he entered Danny’s home. The bruising had faded.

“Yeah,” Danny said, following his brother to the living room. Once seated, he asked, “What are you going to do now?”

Justin sighed and leaned forward, forearms on thighs, hands clasped tight. “I don’t know. I mean, my résumé does not inspire potential employers.”

He’d been waiting for his brother to settle and look forward. Sometimes patience won. “HIS is interviewing for a third team and for open spots on the other teams.”

The hopeful look on Justin’s face clenched his heart. His brother had suffered trying to bring down Boyle. “Don’t think they’ll give you any special treatment for being my brother. You have to earn the position.”

“Do you think they’ll even look at me after working for Boyle?”

“Explain why. It can’t hurt. I think you’re worthy of a spot on the team. Besides,” he smiled, “It’ll be nice not to be the only former DEA agent.”

“All right. I’ll do it. I mean, the worse they can do is turn me down. Right?”

“Right. Did you hear about Quinn?”

He shook his head. “Nothing after the kidnapping.”

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