Page 87 of Sanctuary

“When did you get so wise?” I asked, echoing the words I’d spoken to Connor earlier.

A hint of a smile touched his lips. “I’ve been near death so many times that it tends to clarify one’s perspective.” He stood, reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, showing me a screen already open to a text conversation with Winters.

“I forwarded the threat as soon as Connor showed me,” he explained. “Winters has a team sweeping the perimeter as we speak. Two agents will accompany each of us to the ceremony, and the venue’s security has been tripled.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “You did all that without telling me?”

“Because I knew exactly what you’d do if I didn’t,” he replied with a knowing smile. “Run.”

Shame washed through me. “I thought I was protecting you all.”

“I know,” Declan squeezed my hand. “But protection works both ways, Mia. You’ve spent so long watching over others that you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be watched over yourself.”

His phone buzzed with an incoming message. He glanced at it, then showed me the screen.

“Perimeter secure. Two suspects apprehended half a mile from property. Clean sweep otherwise. Proceeding with escort arrangements for the ceremony. –Winters”

Relief flooded through me, followed quickly by embarrassment at my planned escape. “I need to get my note before Connor finds it,” I said, starting to rise.

Declan chuckled. “Too late for that. He’s the one who sent me to stop you.”

“He knew I would run?”

“Of course he did. He knows you better than you think.” Declan stood, offering me his hand. “Come on. Your sister’s flight lands in an hour, and Connor’s about to become captain of one of Ireland’s oldest clans. You’ve got a ceremony to prepare for.”

I let him pull me to my feet, retrieving my bag from where it had fallen. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “For almost leaving.”

“Kat left Rory once, just about killed him when she did. Don’t be sorry,” Declan said, his voice kind. “Just be here.”

∞∞∞

Connor paced in front of the fireplace, the note I’d left him clenched in his fist. I watched from the doorway for a moment, my heart twisting at the sight of his obvious distress.

“Connor,” I said softly, stepping into the room.

He turned sharply, relief and anger warring on his face. “Mia,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You were really going to do it. Just leave.”

I approached slowly, unsure how to explain myself. Declan’s words had given me clarity, but I wasn’t certain how to convey it to Connor—to make him understand how terrified I was of losing everything.

“You found my note,” I began awkwardly, gesturing to the crumpled paper in his hand.

He stared at me, a mixture of hurt and confusion in his eyes. “What did you think that would accomplish? Running away?”

“I thought it would keep you safe,” I said honestly. “As long as I’m around—”

“As long as you’re around, my life has meaning.” He interrupted fiercely, closing the distance between us. “Without you... without us, what am I fighting for?”

“They’re watching us,” I said, trying to make him see the danger. “Out there right now. Winters caught two of them this morning.”

“I know,” he replied, brushing a strand of hair from my face with more tenderness than I deserved. “And guess what? There will always be more threats, more enemies. That’s just life. But we face them together or not at all.”

His certainty should have scared me—the depth of his commitment, the way he refused to consider anything but us against whatever came next—but instead it filled me with a warmth I’d never known.

“I’m afraid,” I admitted, leaning into his touch. “Not of them hurting me... but of hurting all of you.”

He pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly it felt like he was trying to fuse our souls together. “Then we’ll be afraid together.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I buried my face in his shoulder. “I love you,” I whispered against the soft wool of his sweater. “So much it terrifies me.”

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