Page 46 of Sins and Salvation

Back in Declan's room, I find him sitting up, looking at his phone. "Cormac's handling Siobhan," he says. "She'll be out of our lives for good."

"What does that mean? Is she..." I can't finish the question.

"No. I told you, I asked him not to kill her. She's going to a facility. Somewhere she can't hurt anyone."

"A mental hospital?"

"Something like that."

I sit on the edge of his bed. "You really think that will hold her?" I don’t think I want to know.

"Cormac will make sure of it." He puts down his phone. "I want us to go back to Dublin when I'm released. To my mother's house. Start over."

The thought of returning to Dublin, to normal life, seems impossible now. "Let's talk about that when you're stronger."

"I'm fine." He cups my face. "I want to be a family, Maeve. You, me, Conor. A real family."

The sincerity in his eyes makes my chest hurt. "Declan..."

"I know it won't be easy. I know I have to earn your trust back. But I want to try. If you'll let me."

I lean forward and kiss him softly. "Let's get you better first. Then we'll figure out the rest."

He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. His other hand slides into my hair, holding me to him like he's afraid I'll disappear.

"I love you," he murmurs against my lips. "I never stopped."

Three words I'm not ready to say back, not yet. Not with threats still lurking in the shadows.

"Rest," I tell him. "I'll be back tonight."

I leave the hospital and find a coffee shop across the street. Pulling out my phone, I stare at the photo of Conor again. The threat is clear.

Your son will pay for Siobhan's punishment.

Anger replaces fear. I've spent six years protecting my son from the Donovan family's violence. I won't let it touch him now.

I call a number I never thought I'd use again—Ryan Byrne, Declan's father's old associate.

"Maeve Brennan," he answers. "This is unexpected."

"I need information, Ryan."

"About?"

"Who would want revenge for Siobhan Donovan?"

A pause. "Why ask me instead of your boyfriend?"

"Because Declan's in the hospital, and my son is being threatened."

Another pause. "Come to Quinn's in an hour. And don't bring any Donovan men with you."

I hang up and text Finn that I'm going shopping for clothes for Declan. He offers to drive me, but I insist I need time alone.

Quinn's is empty when I arrive. Ryan sits in a back booth, nursing a whiskey even though it's barely noon. He looks older than I remember, his hair more silver than black now.

"You look good, Maeve," he says as I slide into the booth. "Motherhood suits you."

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