Page 84 of Starting Over

I watched him from my corner on the couch as Declan walked through the door and looked around the room. When his eyes landed on mine, they widened in surprise.

He rushed over, ignoring everyone in the room.

“I didn’t know you would be here.”

“Hash asked me to come by and make cinnamon rolls. Sam was tired, so I stayed to help with Charlie.”

“Where is Charlie now?” he asked as he scanned the room.

“Taking a nap herself.”

He took my hand, dragging me up from where I was sitting comfortably and leading me across the room, he asked, “Can you go to the kitchen? Or upstairs?”

“Why?”

Before he could answer, five men I recognized walked into the clubhouse.

I froze, my eyes on Braesal O’Malley. His eyes traveled over me, locking on my hand. The one being held by Declan. He raised an eyebrow in a silent question, and my back went ramrod straight.

He had no right to question me.

Not anymore.

I pulled Declan to me, wrapping my arm around his waist.

“Reenie...”

Declan turned and saw his brother.

“I told you to wait outside.”

“It’s cold,” Sal said with a shrug.

“Maureen?”

I turned to the voice that was so similar to my husband’s. Surprised, but thrilled to see him, I pulled away from Declan and ran to my brother-in-law.

“Duncan! What are you doing here?”

He gathered me in his arms, lifting me from the ground. When he set me back down, he said, “To be honest, I’m not sure. What are you doing here?”

“What the fuck is going on?” King shouted from the open doorway leading to the hall.

I turned as his eyes focused on Sal.

“Hello, little brother.”

“Fucking hell.”

Hearing a snort, I turned to the man sitting at the bar, drinking coffee. I knew he was a doctor from New York, and it had been made clear all he could have was coffee, but I wasn’t sure why he had spoken up.

“Bane, wish I could say it was good to see you.”

“Fuck you, O’Malley. You find Kelley, yet?” He grinned.

“Don’t you worry your drunk little ass. I’ll find him.”

“Maureen, what’s going on?” King walked over to where I stood with Duncan and waited for an answer.

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