Page 33 of Eternally Bound

I glared at Lachlan, warning him with my eyes not to start. He tended to be the big brother I never had and act overprotective.

“Lachlan,” I warned him, promising retribution if he embarrassed me.

He was completely unfazed, his eyes remaining locked on Daniel. I could practically see Lachlan calculating whether or not he could take him down. When Lachlan ran a background check on Daniel Carrington and realized I was in love with a man deeply ingrained with the London mafia, he took protective brother to a whole new level. He educated me on the crimes and ruthlessness of the mafia, told me never to connect with him again.

Instead, I sought him out. Of course, Lachlan was right. However, there was good in Daniel too. There always was and that spoke volumes for someone that has been part of such an evil world from the moment he was born.

“Daniel,” Lachlan kept his scrutinizing eyes on Daniel. Thankfully, Daniel didn’t seem troubled at all. He held his stare, never breaking eye contact. Maybe men had a way to correspond telepathically. Who knew? “Ainslee is like a sister,” Lachlan spoke low but there was a hint of threat in it. “I don’t want her mixed up with the Carringtons.”

I groaned, loudly.

“Lachlan,” I pleaded.

“That’s why I am here,” Daniel answered Lachlan coolly. “So she isn’t pulled into it.”

Lachlan raised his eyebrow but said nothing else on the matter. “This is Eve, my wife.”

Well, this was going great all things considered.

Bram still held Daniel’s left hand so he extended his right hand and the two men shook hands.

“Nice to meet you both,” Daniel said and his eyes turned to my mom. “And you must be Mrs. Wallace. It is nice to finally meet you all. Ainslee always talked about both of you during her university days. And about her uncle.”

Great, if my mother didn’t guess Daniel was the man I cried over twelve years ago, she was sure to guess now. Because there was only one man in my life during my university days.

And from the look she gave him, Mum knew exactly who Daniel Carrington was. Her lip curved into a smile, and I knew she was under his spell. It never happened with Callen, but one minute and she was already under Daniel’s spell. Kind of like me.

“Nice to meet you, Daniel,” she smiled widely at him, “finally.”

I glanced at Eve and noted she watched the exchange with interest. She raised her eyebrow, the question clear in her eyes, and I lightly shook my head, pleading with my eyes for her not to ask. I knew she was wondering how all this played into the whole situation with Callen. I just couldn’t go there now. How do you explain to someone that the father of your son gambled you like you were his possession?

“We’ll be seeing you around, huh?” Eve asked, smiling softly.

“I certainly hope so,” Daniel replied without hesitation. “I have a place close by.”

I turned to Daniel and his face was a relaxed mask, as he studied our small place and the people that meant the most to me all in this room.

“Why don’t you sit down?” I suggested. “I’ll go grab you something to drink.”

He lowered himself into the love seat, his big body overtaking the small chair, and somehow it felt right having him here, along with the members of my family that meant the most to me.

Chapter Twelve

Daniel

The moment Ainslee’s son raised his eyes, so much like his mother’s, up to me, I knew I’d do anything for him, just as I would for his mother. Ainslee wrapped her hands around her son, like she was hugging the world, and my heart melted seeing that little interaction. That little boy might not be mine, but I’d do anything for him.

I sensed everyone’s eyes on us, and for the first time, in a very long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. With the woman I loved, and the people she loved.

Ainslee turned her head towards her mom. “Mum, want me to make you some tea?”

Mrs. Wallace never moved her eyes from me. “No, thank you, my dear. Lachlan made me some tea,” she responded before addressing me, “Mr. Carrington-”

“Please call me Daniel,” I interjected.

She smiled. “Daniel, then.” Ainslee’s mom studied me, and I knew she was evaluating whether I was good enough for her daughter. I wasn’t, but either way, I refused to give her up. “And you call me Margaret please. Would you like some coffee or tea, Daniel?”

“Tea will be fine. Thank you.”

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