Page 115 of Ignite

But he doesn’t have Conan’s cheeky look.

“Declan?” I ask.

“Yep. Nice to meet you. Whatever Conan had said about us, it’s all bollocks.”

“He’s only ever said good things.”

“Oh. Well then.” He shuts up.

I laugh, and so does the rest of the group.

I turn to Charlotte as she eyes her husband, and Finn starts to weave in and out of traffic.

“Even Charlotte?” Declan quizzes.

“Hey!” She leans forward and smacks his arm.

“What? He has you saved as Crazy Bitch on his phone.”

I hold in my laughter. He never did answer my question about that.

Charlotte pouts.

“I didn’t shoot him though.”

My heart hammers and my eyes lock with Finn’s in the rearview mirror.

“Shoot him?” I question.

Declan and Charlotte make a silent exchange.

“Yeah. We had a little disagreement, so I stole his gun and shot him. No ammo in it though, he was fine. As you know, he’s still alive.”

My mouth drops open. This only makes my mind race thinking about Pete’s warning.

“Okay,” I say quietly.

“Don’t worry. You’re safe with us.” Charlotte smiles sincerely, and it puts my racing mind at ease.

Conan has never not made me feel safe. I know there’s more to him, and he’s actively inviting me to be part of it.

To see this, maybe, darker side to his life that he’s alluded to.

“I know,” I tell her.

Charlotte leans in.

“The world is full of monsters, Hallie. But these guys? They’re the good ones disguised as the bad. Just remember that.”

I frown as she pulls away. I just want Conan as he is. I don’t care about anything else.

“Are you excited to see Conan fight? He’s an absolute animal in the cage.” She switches conversation so easily.

“Yeah. I’ve never been to one of these either.”

I leave out the part about how excited I am to see my sexy man doing something he loves.

I twirl my thumbs on my lap.

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