Page 60 of Bozo

"You... you love me?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I nod, taking a step closer to her. "I do. I think I always have. I’ve pushed you away because I know my family was fucked up. My dad was a cunt and my mam was too weak to stand up to him. But I can't stand the thought of losing you."

Tears well up in her eyes, and she shakes her head. "Connor, you can't just say that and expect everything to be okay. I was trying to get over you. You hurt me by always walking away."

"I know," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "And I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you'll let me. Just please, give me a chance to prove it to you."

She takes a shaky breath, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. "What about the club? Your lifestyle? All the reasons you've given me. They haven’t changed.”

I step closer, gently cupping her face in my hands, careful of her bruises. "You're right, they haven't changed. But I have. I realize now that none of that matters if I don't have you. The club, the life—it's all meaningless without you by my side."

Gráinne's eyes search mine, hope and uncertainty warring in her gaze. "Are you sure? Because I can't go through this again, Connor. I won't survive it if you push me away again."

"I'm sure," I say firmly. "I love you, Gráinne. I want all of you. No more running, no more excuses."

She leans in to my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. "I love you, too," she whispers. "God help me, but I do."

I pull her closer, resting my forehead against hers. "Then let me in, Sunshine. Let me help you. Tell me who did this to you."

She tenses in my arms, and I can feel her starting to pull away. "Connor, I?—"

"No more secrets," I say softly. "We're in this together now. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Gráinne takes a deep breath, then nods. "I had a patient show up at the hospital. He was injured. I knew he was dangerous, but I’m a doctor, Con. I had to help him. Two men showed up.” She shakes her head, her voice trembling. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. They were threatening my patient. I overheard what they were saying, but I pretended I didn’t.”

I hold her close, my heart racing. “Carry on, Sunshine,” I say, my anger barely concealed.

“My patient was frightened. He had no escape, so he used me as a shield. He had a blade against my throat.” Tears tumble from her eyes.

“He did this?” I ask, my voice barely audible. I’m so fucking angry.

“Last week, one of the men from the hospital turned up here,” she whispers.

My blood runs cold at her words. "What did he want? What did he do?"

Gráinne trembles in my arms. "He said they knew I'd overheard things I shouldn't have. He was here to tie up loose ends. He was going to…" She trails off, unable to finish.

"To what?" I growl, already knowing the answer.

She looks up at me, fear clear in her eyes. "Kill me. They think I know too much."

My mind races, so many thoughts rushing through it. I don’t know anyone who’d want to hurt Grá. "Why didn't you come to me, Gra? To the club?"

She shakes her head. "I was scared. He hurt me, Con. I was so terrified that he’d hurt you or come back for me."

I cup her face gently, mindful of her bruises. "Listen to me. He won’t get to you again," I vow. “No one is going to hurt you again, Grá.”

Gráinne nods, leaning in to my touch. "What are we going to do?"

I press a soft kiss to her forehead. "First, we're going to get you somewhere safe. Then, I'm calling a club meeting. We need to find out who the fuck is behind this."

She looks up at me, worry etched on her face. "Will they help? Even though it's me?"

"You're family now, Sunshine," I say firmly. "And we protect our own.”

“Jer has tightened security here,” she tells me.

“That fucker knew and never told me?” I growl, my anger beyond fucking palpable at this stage.

---