Page 55 of Dublin Brute

Despite Brendan’s confidence, we get to the lemon-glazed poppyseed cake and we’re no closer to solving this.

“I admit, it’s not good,” Brendan squeezes my hand on the table, “but I’m not giving up. I’m going to go home and talk to my brothers and see what we can come up with.”

I admire his determination, but there’s no scenario in which we get a happily ever after. My father might be distant and controlling, but he loves me. He protects me because of that love. I can’t run off with one of the men he’s worked his entire career to take down. Not only would that destroy him personally, it would destroy him professionally as well.

He’s studying me and must read my resolve because he frowns and shakes his head. “Don’t give up on me. I’ll find a way. Everything will work out.”

We both hear the lie in his words.

The two of us stay locked in each other’s gaze for a long time, but there are no answers to be found. Brendan places his linen napkin onto the table and sighs. “I’ll help you with your bags in the bedroom.”

Together, we gather up the things he had brought over for me. “You should return these. The tags are still on them, so you won’t have any problem.”

He makes a face. “I bought them for you. Well, I had them bought for you. I was busy keeping you prisoner.”

I chuckle. “I can’t believe you made your sister-in-law go shopping for me.”

Brendan grunts. “You heard her. She was thrilled to do it. Bryan and I taught her to ride a motorcycle to surprise Sean before their wedding. She still thinks she needs to repay us forthat. She doesn’t understand how family works yet, but she’s starting to.”

After witnessing the way he was with the ladies and the way his family worked together at the fundraiser, I’m more certain than ever they aren’t the greedy, violent monsters my father paints them as being.

My insides twist and I envy her. She gets to leave the loneliness and dysfunction behind and be loved within a genuine family.

I want that, too.

Someday.

“And, well, Piper loves to shop, so there’s that.” Brendan strides into the bathroom and comes out a moment later with my toiletries kit. “I think that’s about it.”

He tosses it into the top of one of my bags and slides his hands into his back pockets. “Oh, and I better give you this back before I forget.”

He pulls my phone out of his pocket and holds it out for me to take. “Given the situation, I changed my name in your contact list. I dropped the first half of my name and left it as Dan.”

I scrunch up my nose. “You don’t seem much like a Dan, to me.”

“Maybe not, but I’ll play the part if it keeps you safer.”

We take my things out to the living room, both of us growing quiet. I hate the painful sadness hanging between us. I know he thinks he can fix this, but I don’t see it. Maybe I’m more of a realist or I’m protecting myself from the hurt of hoping and being disappointed.

Whatever the reason, I need to say goodbye.

With tears warming my cheeks, I rise onto my tiptoes, wrap my arms around the back of his neck, and kiss him like I’ll miss him—because I will. I’ll miss him more than I can bear to think about.

His arms around me are too tight, almost crushing, but I don’t complain. I understand the desperation he feels. I understand it and share it.

When I pull back and see how glassy his eyes are, I’m done in. Swallowing past the thickness in my throat, I step back. “Best kidnapping ever.”

Brendan’s gaze searches mine and his brow furrows deeper. “Don’t do it, angel. Don’t give up on us.”

Sadly, I already have.

“If my father found out, the Quinns would never find a moment’s peace. The best way I can show you I love you is to stay away from you.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Brendan

Ipull my Charger into the castle courtyard, my heart heavy as lead. The ancient stone walls loom over me, a reminder of everything I am—a Quinn. Normally, my family legacy is something I celebrate and would never think of changing. Tonight, I have to wonder what could’ve been if I were Brendan O’Reagan or Brendan Stewart.

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