Page 21 of Cowboy
“I have to head back to the club,” he tells me. “Shower, get changed, and sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about everything,” he says as he steps closer to me.
My heart starts to race as I look up at him. “Ciarán,” I whisper, unsure of what to say.
He glances down at my lips and I swipe my tongue along the bottom one, feeling slightly anxious. He steps toward me, his hand sliding around my neck, and within seconds his lips are on mine.
Ciarán's lips are warm and insistent against mine. For a moment, I melt into the kiss, all the years of longing and loneliness fading away. His hand on my neck sends shivers down my spine.
God, it feels so good. I moan deep in the back of my throat as his tongue slides into my mouth, and the kiss changes to something carnal, something fierce. I cling to him, loving the way he kisses me.
But then reality comes crashing back when his phone starts to ring. He steps back, running a hand through his hair. “Christ,” he growls as he answers the phone, not once looking at me.
Tears sting the back of my eyes and I will myself not to let them fall. It was a kiss, that’s all. It didn’t mean anything.
“I’m sorry, I have to go,” he says once he’s finished his call.
"It's okay," I say softly.
Ciarán’s expression becomes serious again. "Get some rest. We'll talk more in the morning."
As he turns to leave, I catch his arm. "Ciarán... Thank you. For everything."
He gives me a small smile, though his eyes are still troubled. "Always, Caoimhe. I'll see you in the morning."
After he's gone, I sink onto the worn couch, my mind whirling. The kiss, the information about Dylan, the years of running and hiding, it's all too much.
But for the first time in years, I don't feel alone. Whatever comes next, I know I can face it with Ciarán by my side.
I close my eyes, finally allowing myself to relax. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, but for now, I let myself drift off to sleep, the ghost of Ciarán's kiss still lingering on my lips.
The sound of the door bursting open jolts me awake. My heart races as I bolt upright, disoriented in the unfamiliar surroundings. Groggily, I look around. A chill runs down my spine as I realize I’m surrounded. Four men enter the apartment, all looking at me with a menacing look.
I'm on my feet in an instant, adrenaline coursing like wildfire through my veins. "What do you want?" I demand, my voice sharp and edged with fear.
One of the men steps forward, a sinister smile stretching across his face. "We’ve been waiting for this day for years. Finally, we have you, Caoimhe," he announces, his words laced with chilling satisfaction.
I shake my head, taking a cautious step backward, needing to put distance between us. "Who are you?" I ask, my voice wavering slightly.
Their laughter echoes off the walls, a sound so dark and menacing that it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up like soldiers at attention. "You already know that, don't you? You've been a busy girl these past few years. I'd like to know just how much information you have gathered. But right now, we need to move."
"I'm not going anywhere," I declare, my voice surprisingly steady.
The man's smile broadens, his eyes gleaming as he steps closer, invading my personal space like a predator cornering its prey. "That's where you're wrong, sweet Caoimhe. You see, I have someone who wants to see you, someone who's paid me a lot of money to have you. He’s been a patient man, waiting for years; now, he can finally have his money's worth."
He snaps his fingers, and the men behind me surge forward as one. There's nowhere to run, no escape. Their hands reach for me, rough and unyielding, and one clamps a rag over my face. The world blurs around me, fading into darkness, until I black out.
7
COWBOY
“Everything okay?” Pyro asks, his gaze intense as he watches me.
I nod. “Caoimhe turned up,” I tell him. He’s the only one of my brothers who knows everything. He’s my president, someone I respect. I gave him the full debrief when I joined the Vipers. He knows I work for Travis James and The Agency. He also knows I’ve been training someone for The Agency, though he has no idea who, and I won’t give up Lisa’s name. No one knows her true identity except for Travis, me, and Travis’ daughter, Melissa. That’s the way it will continue.
“Is she safe?” Py asks, his brows raised. “How is she?”
I sigh, running a hand over my face. "She's okay, I think. A bit thin, but she seems to be doing alright considering everything she's been through. I left her at one of Travis' safe houses for the night. I'm heading back there once I’m done here to talk to her about what she's discovered."
Pyro nods thoughtfully. "Good. Make sure she stays safe. Has she told you anything she’s uncovered?"
