Page 86 of Starting Over

“Is it true?”

Declan closed his eyes, shutting me out.

“Declan! Is. It. True?”

“What the fuck is going on?” King roared.

“You bastard. You knew. You knew what Duane was looking for. You knew all along and you never told him? You never told any of them? Where is she, Declan?”

“He didn’t need to know. I told Duane to stop looking. I told him he was putting you, Colleen, and King in danger, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“Did you kill him?” I whispered.

“What the fuck, Reenie? He was my best friend. You think I would do that to him? To you and Colleen?”

“LANNIE!” Sal shouted. “What is she talking about?” he asked in a deadly tone.

“Where is Darcy, Declan?” I persisted.

Duncan froze next to me. “You know where my sister is?”

“No.”

“What the fuck do you know?”

Declan turned to King. He walked over and stood before him. “We need to talk. Alone.”

“What the fuck is going on, Dec. Who the hell is Darcy?”

“Darcy was my girlfriend,” Sal said from across the room.

I looked between the two of them. This was why they left without a word. This was why Kathleen cut Sal from her life.

“Officers, church. Right fucking now!” King yelled. He pointed at Declan and then at Sal. “You and you.” Then looked at Duncan. “You too.”

Tyran took a step to follow Sal, and Declan blocked him.

“Not you,” he growled.

“Hey, Ty, let them work this out,” Cian said, his hand on Tyran’s shoulder.

Tyran just stood there, glaring at Declan. I knew he wanted to do something, but the badge on Declan’s belt kept him from unleashing on him.

“Ty! Sit your ass at the bar,” Sal commanded, and Tyran finally moved away from Declan.

“Maureen,” King called softly. “Please join us.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It seems you know what’s going on. Maybe with you there, Declan will open his fucking mouth. If he doesn’t, you can. Tank, call Blade, tell him to get his ass over here.” He looked at Sal, then at Declan. “Should he bring his old lady?”

“I would very much like to meet my niece,” Sal said.

“She ain’t gonna stay away once she knows who’s here,” Declan conceded as he turned, looking around the room. “Tank, Big Ben, I want you both with her at all times. She doesn’t leave your sight. Understood?”

“You got it, Sheriff.”

Declan nodded and then walked into church ahead of Sal, King, and me.

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