Page 20 of It Will Always Be You
“Funny you should say that…” He trails off, looking guilty as sin. With a curse, I say goodbye to the idea of getting any work done today before indicating for him to lead the way. It shouldn’t surprise me. Angus makes me look like a saint when it comes to patience.
Making our way outside, Declan leads me over to the heavily-guarded SUV before dropping back. Nodding at the soldiers as I dip into the back seat, I brace myself. I’ve sat in on enough meetings to know you never quite know what you’re getting with this unhinged bastard. His smug smirk is the first thing to greet me, soon followed by a handshake that’s more like an arm-wrestling contest. Eventually, he stops trying to break the bones in my hand and sits back in his seat, his beady grey eyes watching me like a hawk. For someone who is firmly on enemy territory, he looks awfully comfortable. Time to change that.
“You wanted to talk, so talk,” I drawl, making a show of looking at my watch.
“It’s quite simple, really. You have something that belongs to me.”
“Do we now?” I lift a brow. I wonder where the hell he’s going with this.
“Yes. As I’m sure you can understand, I’d quite like it back. Word on the street is, you’re looking after business at the moment, so all I need is you to look the other way while I retrieve her,” he explains, looking ten shades of self-assured, as if this is a formality and I’m about to roll out the red carpet for him. Not bloody likely.
“Her?” Shit just got interesting.
“Aye. It seems we have a little runaway problem. You know how these mafia brats are.” If he thinks he’s doing anything other than solidifying my desire not to help him, he’s sorely mistaken. Anyone who felt the need to run from the Clan no doubt has their reasons. More power to her for managing to get away, if you ask me.
“Indeed. Well, unfortunately, I can’t do that. If you gave me a name, I could pass along a message, but I’m not going to give you free rein on our turf. I’m sure you can understand.” Checking my watch once more, I make to leave.
“I feared you’d say that. Fine, I’ll let her father know.” The lack of fight is odd, even odder when you consider he travelled here himself. All for some runaway…that he’s fine with going home without? I smell trouble. Leaving him to stew, I unfold my body from the SUV and make my way over to Declan. In a low tone, I give him instructions to keep an eye on Angus, a very close eye, before leaving him to tidy up this mess and focusing on what’s important.
Which would be my five foot nothing assistant. She might not know it yet—she might even believe this will be our only date—but tonight is the first night of the rest of my life with her. Maybe my method of asking her out was unprofessional, but if there's one thing Da made sure to teach me, it's that O'Neill men get what they want, no matter the cost or method.
I'm no longer afraid to admit that what I want is Helen. Seeing just how easily everything can be ripped away from you soon cured me of that. I want her sassy attitude. I want to earn my way behind her prickly self-defensive mechanisms. I want her moans ringing in my ears and those little dresses and tight skirts discarded on my bedroom floor. But most of all, I want her secrets. I want to be someone she trusts and confides in, to be her safe place to land. I’ll do anything to become that person for her.
I get ready with her in mind. I’ve seen how her eyes take me in every day at the office. It’s clear she likes the suited and booted look, and so I’ve pulled out one of my favourites: a dark navy suit, tailored to my exact measurements, paired with a sky-blue silk shirt. According to Donna, the colour brings out my eyes, whatever that means. I’m in the middle of putting my silver cufflinks on when my phone rings. If it were anyone else, I would let it go to voicemail, but seeing Da’s name flash across the screen has me thumbing the answer buttonbefore the second ring.
“Da? Is everything okay?”
“Just inching closer to dying, but other than that, I’m fine.” His dark sense of humour makes me snort despite myself.
“Shut up, Da. You’re not dying, I won’t let you. Now, why are you ringing me?”
“I heard you have a date tonight.”
“How’d you hear that?” I ask.
“You think my son booking out O’Neill’s wouldn’t flag up? Come on now.” He tsks, pausing to cough before continuing, “I want to meet her, this girl who’s made you change your mind. She must be special.”
“Of course they rang you. Sheisspecial, but it’s incredibly new…” I always intended to honour his request, but I wasn’t banking on doing this on the first date.
“Well then. All the better for me to vet her for you.” Realising there’s no way out of this, I concede with a grunt, promising to bring her by before the date.
Chapter 17
Pulling up in front of Helen’s rundown flat, I make a note to talk to Donna about giving her a raise so she can move somewhere safer, preferably closer to my penthouse, ideally with a doorman and armed security.
Getting out of my car and making my way over to her front door, I’m robbed of the honour to knock when she comes striding out with a smile in place and the world’s tallest heels on her feet. She looks stunning, her hair in big, beautiful curls I want to bury my hands in and mess up, not to mention the red lipstick I can’t wait to smudge. Advancing on her, I place my hand on hers, stilling her movements as she goes to lock up.
“I thought we talked about this. You don’t need to suffer in those things you call shoes for me. Change into something more comfortable. I’ll wait.”
Her eyes narrow into slits, and for a moment, I think she’s going to give me a piece of her mind before her expression softens, her mouth dropping open on a stuttered breath. Without a word, she dips backinside as I lean against the wall, not wanting to miss out on the chance to escort her down the steps for a second time.
When she comes back out in red ballet flats that match her bag, she looks far more comfortable and at ease. Perfect.
“That’s my good girl. You look fucking stunning,” I murmur, a dark note to my words as I take her hand to help her down the steps. “We have a slight detour to make on our way to dinner. I hope you don’t mind, but my dad really wants to meet you.”
I lead her to my car. Holding open the door for her, she ducks under my arm to get in.
“Meeting the parents already? You could have warned a girl.” She lets out a stilted laugh before meeting my gaze. Something on my face must give away how important this is to me, to him, because she drops the sass for a moment, her face softening as she responds.
