Page 108 of Declan

Declan steps forward, standing in front of me, his expression serious. His olive eyes lock onto mine, shifting slightly as if he’ssearching for the right words. “You being here, it is part of a deal,”

he says, pausing to take a sip of whiskey. “A contract made with…” He hesitates, exhaling deeply. “With Giovanni.”

Connor moves around the table, grabbing a stack of papers and handing them to Declan, who holds them out for me to see. It’s the contract. The marriage arrangement. My breath catches as I meet his eyes. There’s a gentleness in his expression, but also sadness.

Declan turns and walks toward the fireplace, his back to me. Without hesitation, he tosses the papers into the flames. The fire consumes them quickly, the edges curling and darkening until nothing is left.

Still facing the fireplace, he speaks, his voice quieter but firm. “You’re free, Viviana.”

My heart stops. “You want me to leave?” My voice cracks, rising higher.

Declan spins around, crossing the room in a few quick strides, but I step back before he reaches me. He freezes, his face falling into a look I’ve never seen before—unsure, almost desperate.

“No!” he blurts, running a hand through his hair. His jaw tightens before he forces out the words. “I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay because you want to be here… with us.” His voice lowers, muscles flexing under his shirt. “With me.”

Oh.

I close the gap between us, my heart pounding in my chest. “I’ve never felt more at home than I do here, with you. Even if you are

crazy as hell,” I add with a teasing smile, glancing toward Connor and Kian, who are grinning like fools.

“And being my wife?” Declan asks, towering over me now. His knuckles brush softly against my cheek, and I feel the heat rising in my face.

“If you ask nicely this time,” I whisper, my lips quirking into a smirk.

His smile grows, but his tone remains serious. “I mean it, Viviana. You’re free to do whatever you want with your life. Even if you stay here, as my wife, as a Callaghan… you’ll always be your own person. You own your life. I just want to be by your side and help make all your dreams come true.”

His words settle in my chest like a warm weight.

“For fuck’s sake, just take her to the fucking room,” Kian mutters, waving his glass in the air.

Declan laughs, setting his drink down before he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder. I let out a surprised laugh, my face heating up as he slaps my ass.

When he turns to head for the stairs, I catch Connor and Kian watching us. Smiling, I mouth,I love you guys.Both blush before crossing their hearts with their fingers.

“Tá grá againn duit freisin,” Kian says softly, and I tilt my head.

Declan stops on the stairs, glancing back at his brothers. Though I can’t see his face, the warmth in theirs tells me all I need to know.

He carries me into the bedroom, opening the door with one hand and closing it with his foot before gently setting me on my feet.

I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth, walking out I see Declan standing, waiting for me with a smile.

“What did that mean?” I ask, referring to Kian’s words.

“It’s an Irish saying,” he murmurs, brushing my hair behind my ear. “They love you too.”

My chest tightens as Declan pulls me close, his hand stroking my hair. His voice is low, raw with emotion. “Is í grá mo shaoil í,” he says, the Irish words rolling off his tongue like a vow.

I blink up at him. “What does that mean?” I whisper, my voice trembling.

“It means you’re the love of my life, firecracker.”

Oh.

My legs feel weak beneath me. I pull him close, crashing my lips to his, my tongue exploring his mouth as he meets me with equal fervour. His hands move to the zipper of my dress, and when he pulls back to watch it fall to the floor, his voice is rough with hunger.

“You drive me fucking insane, Viviana,” he grunts, and a shiver runs down my spine.

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