Page 42 of Dublin Brute

Fucking hell.

I fucking kidnapped my girlfriend—well, my potential girlfriend.

Not that there’s much potential now, since she’s seen the monster I am.

I groan and press my back against the door, frowning. What the fuck do I do now? I need to explain to her what happened…to make her understand. I need time with her to fix this.

That’s all I was thinking on the walk over here. Tag’s loft is close to the gym and has been empty since he met Laine. It’s secure, and it’s private, and I need that so I can figure out a way through this.

Because despite what Nora said, we arenota mistake. That truth resonates to the depths of my dark, aching soul. And seeing the despair warring with desire in her eyes when she said it—she doesn’t believe it either.

Not really.

Well, that was before I fucking kidnapped her.

Fucking hell!

I send a quick text to Tag, to let him know it’s me who accessed his private space and not some random intruder. Then I send one to Sean, asking him to send a couple of Devils to pick up the heap of human garbage I left in the alley by the gym.

The fucker was stalking my girl.

The blonde?

Aye. Find out who he is and what the fuck his intentions were.

You got to her in time?

Barely.

I slide my phone and Nora’s into the pocket of my jacket and zip it shut. Nora is standing on the other side of the open entrance, her arms crossed, her heaving breasts threatening to pop free of the corset that’s barely containing her lush curves.

Now is not the time to be focused on that.

“I’m sorry about this, angel, but I just want to talk.”

I step toward her and for the second time, she retreats. “You need to let me go, Brendan. You’re scaring me. I want to leave.”

I hold up my hands and curse inwardly. There’s so much blood.

Dammit.Every time she looks at me, her gaze widens and another wave of panic washes over her. I need to get cleaned up, so I stop spooking her.

“I never wanted this part of my life to touch you. I understand that you’re freaked out, but know that I’m just as freaked out and I’m trying to figure out how to fix this and get back to where we were.”

Her face pinches. “Get back to where we were? You mean when I didn’t know you were a prince of mafia brutality and lying to me about everything?”

“I didn’t lie to you. Not once. Not ever.”

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. I fight the urge to grab her by the arms and force her to believe me. Fuck. After the events of the night—the cage fight, hearing Nora scream, racing through the streets searching for her, and then unleashing on her stalker—I’ve got so much adrenaline pumping through me I’m dangerous.

Not that I’d hurt Nora—not in a million years—but I won’t help my case if I lose my shit, either. She needs time to process what happened outside.

I sweep a hand through the air, gesturing around the place. “Make yourself at home. You may not be happy about being here, but you’re safe. I’m going to clean up and then we can talk. Just know that nothing I ever said or did was a lie. I didn’t tell you everything—I own that—but like you said, I’m the prince of mafia brutality. That’s something you ease into. Especially with someone special who I really fucking care about.”

I read the skepticism in her gaze, but it’s the truth.

Leaving her to think about that, I head into the main bedroom to grab a quick shower. I’ll never convince her I’m worthy of her forgiveness while covered in the blood of a scumbag.

Maybe that’s the truth of it.

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