Page 46 of Eternally Bound

The windscreen wipers were working overtime, the rhythmic sound the only thing breaking the silence. But it was a calming silence. Daniel had a confidence about him, the core of steel that made me feel safe. But I wasn’t certain that despite it all, Daniel would be part of my future. The events that have happened driven by his mafia world were a bit too much. I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to deal with it or drag my family through it.

“You’re quiet,” Daniel noted, and I turned my head his way. “Are you okay?”

He reached for me, his hand skimming my thigh and taking my hand into his. He held it while he drove, resting it against my leg. The gesture was simple but so intimate.

“Yes, I’m okay,” I told him, my fingers tracing his skin lightly. “Today was nice. Thank you for spending time with us.”

“Ainslee, I want to spend every moment of each day with you,” he said in a low voice. “I should be thanking you for spending it with me.”

I exhaled and then swallowed hard. “I’m worried about where all this is going.”

“I will protect you and your family,” he vowed, his voice firm and full of conviction.

“Your world is different, Daniel,” I croaked, the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. The truth was I didn’t want to let him go. Ever. “I don’t see how we could ever have a future. If it was just me, I’d be all in. But I have to think about the safety of my family.” He was silent for a moment, and I could feel the tension radiating off him. There wasn't an ounce of doubt in my mind that he would do whatever he needed to keep us safe but was it really fair to put that much on him. “This thing with Callen, I just-”

I couldn’t finish the sentence, my throat squeezing with anguish. I had never experienced that kind of brutality nor seen it. Yet, it seemed to be the norm in Daniel’s world.

“I’ll take care of my uncle,” he said in a hard tone. I knew he would but the realization that there were men like his uncle in this mafia world was even scarier.

“And I believe you,” I told him. “I really do. You make me feel safe. But there is always someone threatening you. Isn’t there?”

He didn’t have to answer for me to know it was the truth.

“Don’t write us off yet,” he said, his voice deep and slightly on edge. “Don’t write me off, Ainslee.”

My eyes snapped to him, and for the briefest moment, there was pain on his face, but he quickly masked it. He didn’t want to seem weak. In my eyes, he never would be weak. He has changed a lot over the last twelve years, became harsher and harder somehow, but to me, he was still that same man from the coffee shop. Just darker, more dangerous.

I just wished he’d share more of himself. I had his lust, but I needed and wanted more - to know his fears and hopes, dreams. I wanted him to talk to me.

“I would never write you off, Daniel,” I leaned toward him and pressed my lips to his cheek. He continued driving, his eyes focused on the road and his jaw clenched tightly. “I’m struggling with all this,” I muttered, referring to Callen’s murder. “I don’t know how to process it and contemplate our future together, in your world.” Then realizing what I said, I added, “You mentioned to Mum about moving in permanently, but we haven’t really talked about the future, nor any plans.”

I was really making a mess out of all this. In a lot of regards, I was like Lachlan. I wanted it all when it came to love. It must be a part of McLaren’s DNA. Whether it was good or bad, I had no idea.

Daniel stayed focused on the road, it was dark and snowy, so it would be too dangerous to take his eyes off the road. Though, now I wished I waited till we were at our destination before we had this conversation. I wanted to see his eyes when we spoke about this stuff, to see expressions in them and know what he was thinking.

He brought our intertwined hands to his mouth.

“I have plans for our future and every single one of them involves you, Ainslee. If you want me to burn down the world, I will. But I don’t know if I can let you go.”

“Oh.” His possessiveness should have me running. It sounded nuts, borderline obsessive and crazy, yet I liked his claim. Instead of having me running from him, my chest swelled with intense feelings. I wanted to be in his life forever. I wanted him with me forever.

“I have a son. Bram needs a normal, safe world,” I muttered, convincing myself to stay strong and resist the temptation.

“He will have it,” Daniel assured. “I promise you, he will be safe, and we’ll give him the best life. Outside London and all the bullshit there. I want us to have a life here, close to your family, and I’ll ensure we are safe.”

He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and drove straight up to the valet. I glanced around and was surprised to see we pulled up to The Dome.

“I thought they were closed,” I told him.

“They are,” he retorted. “It will be just us.”

The Dome was one of the favorite restaurants of the locals and visitors. It was very much grand and opulent. Situated on Edinburgh’s bustling George Street, it offered grand views under its majestic dome. And the food was fabulous.

“Those poor people are probably not happy to work so close to the holidays,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“I made it worth their while,” he stated and hopped out of the car. He came around to assist me out.

“Are you just going to leave the car here?” I asked him, glancing at two more vehicles in the parking lot. It would seem Daniel intended to leave his Land Rover in front of the entrance. “Planning a quick escape?” I asked him jokingly.

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