Page 86 of Feel Me

“District Attorney O’Brien,” a female reporter calls out. “Who in your office will be handling the charges against Iker Escobar?the suspect accused of murdering Rosana Secco provided he’s apprehended?”

“I will,” he bites out. “I swear to you, I won’t stop until Iker Escobar is caught and he gets everything he deserves.”

I straighten as the team of reporter jumps to their feet. “Did you know Declan was taking over?” Valencia asks me.

“No,” I say, struggling to hear. “I had no idea.”

Another reporter shouts a question I barely make out. “How do you expect to try a murder case as the head of the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit?” he challenges.

“I’m no longer leading SACU,” Declan grinds out. “You’re looking at the new Head of Homicide.”

My stomach bottoms out. In the span of three days Declan managed to get everything he wanted.

Including me.

CHAPTER 23

Declan

“Come here, beautiful,” Melissa says. She lifts Clodagh from Curran’s arms, even though it’s clear he doesn’t want to give up his sweet baby girl.

“My turn after,” Seamus says, rousing Wren and everyone else sucker punching each other to hold the baby.

“Back off,” Curran snaps. “You already had a turn.” He does a double take when he sees Angus standing in the corner eating a sandwich. “What are you doing here, Angus? You were supposed to pick up the food for tomorrow after you dropped off Ma and Fiona back at the house, not stop and get lunch for yourself.”

“They said it wouldn’t be ready until twelve.”

“It’s one now, asshole.”

Angus looks at the clock. “Oh, yeah. It is. I’m going, I’m going,” he adds when Curran glares at him. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and heads over to Tess to kiss her cheek. “Congratulations,” he tells her. “So glad she looks like you and not numb-nuts over here.”

“Nice, Angus,” Tess says.

Mel tucks Clodagh against her, her large eyes meeting her little face.

Damn, what a week. All this shit with Rosana, then Miles being admitted in the hospital after he collapsed at home. I wasn’t sure how much more either of us could handle. But Tess going into labor, and having the baby was the break we needed. God, this kid is gorgeous.

And so is Melissa and the way she cuddles her against her.

I kiss my little niece’s head then turn to grin at Curran. “You had another girl,” I tell him, smirking.

His smile fades. “I know. What the fuck am I going to do? I already want to point a gun at every male who looks at Fiona.” He edges away and climbs into bed with Tess. “You were supposed to give me a boy,” he tells her, stroking her chin. “We discussed this.”

Tess smiles, despite that her heavy lids give away how tired she is. “I’ll try harder next time, cop.”

Curran slips his arm around her, tucking her against him. “Twenty-nine hours of labor. Can you believe that shit?” he asks.

“It was only five once labor actually started,” Tess clarifies, her head falling against Curran’s shoulder.

“Not for me. I’ve been up like thirty-four hours.”

“Curran, you went to sleep almost immediately after I received the epidural, after Clodagh had her first feed, and then again when she had her second. Trust me when I say you haven’t been awake that long.”

He kisses her head. “But I was with you in spirit, angel face,” he tells her.

Melissa rocks Clodagh gently. I can already picture her holding our baby and am fully invested in making it happen. But I can’t be sure she’s completely on board.

I don’t know. I think we’re together. Except ever since the governor’s ball last Saturday, I don’t think we’re as solid as we need to be. Maybe after all that time apart, I moved too fast. But that time apart nearly broke me, and from what she told me, it nearly broke her, too.

---