Page 26 of Declan

As I make my way to the kitchen, the strong scent of coffee weaves its way through the air. I wrap my arms around myself like a shield, bracing for another cold shoulder or worse, more silence.

Declan is sitting at the table, his thumb tapping against his phone screen. His hair’s still a mess from sleep, and he’s shirtless, of course he is. My traitorous body reacts instantly, but I force myself to hold my ground.

“Morning. Coffee’s brewing,” he says without looking up. “I need to head out of here shortly, but before I do, you need to make a few phone calls so I know it’s handled.”

My blood boils, heat racing up my neck. I lean my hip against the table and stare at him like he’s lost his mind. “You’re extremely bossy this morning. It’s not very becoming, if I’m honest.”

His thumb stills on his phone, but I keep going.

“I know I need to talk to Wesley and Jeanne. I know I messed up. What I don’t need is you treating me like a child who needs to bereminded of her mistakes. I told you I’d talk to them. I told you I’d handle it. You don’t need to stand over my damn shoulder while I do it.”

I pause long enough to inhale, my voice shaking now. “I’m going to have a cup of coffee, and then I’ll call Wesley and Jeanne. After that, I’m going to gather my clothes, and I’m going home.”

“Lena…”

I hold up my hand, cutting him off. “No. You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do anymore.”

I step closer, resting my hand on top of his. His skin is warm, his pulse steady beneath my palm. “I appreciate you helping me, Declan. You’re always there when I need you most, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you for that. I don’t like owing people, and you know this. Staying here isn’t necessary anymore. You handled Jason, and while I feel guilty as hell for dragging you into it, I’m grateful. You're a good man, Declan. Honestly? The best. But it’s better if I’m not here. And if you don’t understand that, then you haven’t really been paying attention.”

I let my hand fall from his and drop my eyes. “This morning…” I falter, unable to finish the thought. My chest aches with all the unsaid things between us.

“Lena.” The way my name leaves his lips, like a whisper, a plea, forces me to meet his eyes again.

“I’m sorry.” His voice is quiet, and I see the regret etched into the lines of his face.

He stands and pours two mugs of coffee, sliding one toward me and nodding for me to sit. I do, sipping it slowly, waiting forsomething more. But it doesn’t come. Instead, his phone rings, and he steps outside without another word, leaving me sitting in the silence, feeling like I’ve said too much and still not enough.

I grab my phone and pull up Wesley’s number, a sad smile tugging at my lips when I see his face on the screen.

“Lee Lee, what the fuck?”

“Morning to you, too, big brother.”

“Don’t play with me. Where the hell are you?”

“I heard you spoke to Jeanne last night. I’m sorry. I lied to her. I met this guy and didn’t want to say anything until I knew if it was something worth talking about.” It’s not a total lie. I am at Declan’s. I do wish he was something worth talking about.

“Why do you keep doing this? Anything could happen to you, and none of us would even know. Stop with the fucking lies, Lena. If you have to hide a guy, he’s not worth it. Are you home?”

His disappointment cuts deeper than I expected. I swallow down the guilt.

“I’ll be heading home shortly.”

“Enough of this, Lena. I can’t keep losing sleep worrying about you.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, echoing Declan’s words back to my brother. A tear escapes and I swipe it away quickly.

“Well, are you going to keep seeing this guy or what?”

I glance around the kitchen, his cut draped over the back of a chair, the coffee pot nearly empty, and the money he left on the table for me.

“I’m not sure yet. But probably.”

“Get home, Lee Lee. Text me when you’re there.”

“Okay, Wesley.”

“Come to Twisted Souls tonight. Let’s have a drink. I miss my baby sister.”

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