Page 20 of Sanctuary

I walk into the kitchen at the crack of dawn and Connor is still sitting in the same spot as he was when I left him last night. I know because the stubble on his chin is no longer the five o’clock shadow that he was sporting. Now it’s the beginnings of a beard, rough against his jaw.

His eyes are red-rimmed and unfocused, staring blankly at the empty plate before him. The kitchen is eerily quiet, save for the soft ticking of the antique clock on the wall.

“Connor?” I say softly, not wanting to startle him. “Have you been here all night?”

He blinks slowly, as if coming out of a trance, and turns to look at me. For a moment, I see vulnerability in his eyes, a rawness that makes my heart clench. Then, like a curtain falling, his expression shifts back to the confident, soon to be clan captain I’ve come to know.

“Mia,” he says, his voice rough with exhaustion. “Good morning. I was just... thinking.”

I move closer, drawn by some inexplicable force. “About what?”

He runs a hand through his disheveled hair, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “About how bloody complicated life can get in the span of a few days.”

I can’t help but chuckle at that. “Tell me about it. A few weeks ago, I was running from my home. Now I’m...” I trail off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

“Now you’re here,” he says simply, his gaze holding mine. “With us. With me.”

The air between us feels charged, heavy with unspoken words and possibilities. I’m acutely aware of how close we’re standing, of the warmth radiating from his body. My eyes flick down to his lips, remembering the kiss we shared, and I feel a blush creeping up my neck.

Just then, a loud bang on the counter makes us both jump. Rory stands there with his hands resting on a briefcase and a grin on his face.

“Morning, lovebirds!” he calls out, seemingly oblivious to the moment he’s interrupted. “Ready for the big send-off?”

Connor clears his throat, taking a step back. “Right, the airport. I should go change.”

As he hurries out of the kitchen, I catch Rory’s knowing smirk. “Did I interrupt something?”

I shake my head, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach. “Nothing that can’t wait,” I mutter, more to myself than to him.

But as I watch Connor’s retreating form, I can’t help but wonder if I’m lying to myself. That’s not true. I know I am. Because whatever is happening between us, it feels like it’s not nothing.

I help myself to a cup of coffee, and sit down at the island, blowing on the steamy brew when a sound behind me has me turning around. It’s Connor, swaying on his feet.

“Would you come with me to take Declan and Wren to the airport? I don’t think I should be driving.”

“Of course!” I stand up. “Give me the keys.”

He hands them to me, his fingers brushing mine for a moment longer than necessary. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I have to take a steadying breath as I follow him out to the garage, where a sleek black SUV waits. As I slide into the driver’s seat, I can’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. This is the first time I’ve driven in almost a year.

He settles into the passenger seat, his eyes heavy-lidded. “Thanks for this,” he murmurs. “I didn’t realize how much last night took out of me.”

“No problem,” I reply, trying to sound casual as I adjust the mirrors. “So, I was thinking, once we get back and you get some rest, how about if we take a look at the USB together?”

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Yeah... that would definitely be a smart move. At least then you’d have an idea of who could be after you.”

Declan and Wren casually walked out of the house, appearing as if they had just returned from their honeymoon instead of going to it. They tossed the suitcases into the back of the SUV and got into the back seat.

“How long are you two going for?” I asked, looking into the rearview mirror at Declan.

“Just a week,” Declan replied, draping his arm around Wren’s shoulders. “Can’t be away from the clan for too long, especially with everything that’s going on.”

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. I knew my presence was part of that ‘everything’.

“Buckle up,” I said, as I backed out of the garage, then headed up the driveway, I could feel Connor’s eyes on me even before we got to the main road.

“You’re a good driver,” he said softly.

“Thanks,” I murmured, trying to focus on the road and not on the warmth of his gaze. The drive to the airport was mostly quiet, punctuated only by Wren’s occasional directions and Declan’s low rumble as he spoke quietly to his wife.

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