Page 44 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

They say jealousy is an ugly bitch—but I can’t help it.

I can’t shake this awful feeling that I am going to lose her.

Pushing my empty plate forward,I wipe my mouth with a napkin and take a sip of white wine. I’m not much of a wine drinker; nowhere near a wine snob like my girl, but I do enjoy the occasional glass with dinner every now and then. I have Maddy to thank for that. She taught me quite a bit about different wines and their pairings on her birthday trip to Vermont.

Such simpler times then.

For all of us.

I check my phone for the billionth time tonight. Madison has my number, so why is it taking her so long to contact me? I’m trying my best not to smother her, to give her some time to process this all. But my patience is wearing thin. I’ve got about another hour left in me before I turn caveman, lose all control, and call her.

“Will that be all for tonight, Mr. Kennedy?” I barely register what the waitress says. Her warm hand comes down on my shoulder shaking me out of my musings. I’m so wrapped up in thoughts of what Madison could be up to right now that I haven’t been paying much attention to my surroundings.

The waitress is quite young and smiling down at me. She’s beautiful, but nowhere near as stunning as my future wife. Returning the gesture, I smile and shake my head. “Yes. Just the check, please.”

Her face falls with a tinge of disappointment as her hand falls from my shoulder. She pulls a black leather bill folder from her apron and leaves it on the table.

“I may be presumptuous in saying this, but I hope that whoever stood you up tonight realizes what they’ve lost.” She nods her head to the empty chair across from me before shifting her eyes to my phone. “If you find yourself looking for a good time tonight, or maybe just to get your mind off things, give me a call.”

I’m about to correct her and tell her that I’m not interested when my phone rings.

I grab the damn thing like I’ve been drowning and it’s my last lifeline. A chance to breathe again.Finally.

Then I realize it’s Killian.

“What’s the craic?” I growl into the phone.

“Hello to you too,sweetheart.”

I throw a bunch of bills down into the folder and slam it shut, leaving the waitress' number in there. “Have you or Sel heard from Madison?” I question as I start walking back to my hotel.

“No. Diego only sent a text confirming they arrived safely and have anchored a few nautical miles off the coast of Mykonos.”

“I’m starting to worry that he’s getting in her head, Kil.”

“I know,” he lowers his voice to a whisper. The sound of a door clicking shut echoes through the receiver. That’s why I have you there. Listen, I’m sorry, brother. I made a mistake sending you to Ireland. Although there is still a substantial risk of Geraldo discovering youalive, it’s worth it.She’sworth it. You and Diego will keep her safe if that were to happen. The rest of us will protect Selena over here. No one will touch our women.Ever again.”

“What made you suddenly change your mind?” I walk through the crowded lobby and press the button for the elevator.

There is a moment of silence before he speaks. “I thought about what it would feel like had roles been reversed. Orders or not I would have done the same thing for her, for Sel.” He releases an exhausted sigh. “We will always be a team, Liam. We are brothers. Not just by oath, but by blood. Truth is, I’m no good at this leadership thing without you. I’m sorry for playing the rank card on you,” he sighs.

“I forgive you,asshole. Now, tell me, when isThe Triquetragoing to be here? It’s been almost four fucking hours since Madison left port and I’m going stir crazy. I need eyes on her.”

The elevator doors open directly to my suite. It’s dark. A silhouette of someone on the balcony catches my attention. In an instant, my hand goes to my waistband where I have my Glock.

Killian chuckles. “So do I.The Triquetrais ready and currently waiting for you to board tonight. It’s already anchored within visual distance ofPontus. Oh, and for the love of God, please don’t shoot Conor—Lexi and Maddy will kill us both. He should be in your suite by now.”

“A warning would have been nice.” I place my gun back into my waistband while walking to the sliding doors to greet him.

“I would have preferred to be there myself, but Selena isn’t too comfortable flying long distances at the moment…and I haven’t exactly told her of my plan just yet.”

“Okay,Mr. Cryptic.Is she alright?” I ask, my curiosity now officially peaked.

“She’s pregnant, Liam. I’m going to be a father.” You can feel his smile and joy radiating through the phone.

“Christ. Congrats, man. That is wonderful news.” I run a hand through my hair as I approach Conor. A twinge of jealousy hits me. Kil finally got his girl back and is now expecting a child.What would that have felt like had Madison’s test been positive and we weren’t in this fucked up situation?

“Thank you. She was seen by our doctors just a little while ago. Both of them are healthy. They set her due date to New Year’s Eve.”

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