Page 47 of Fragile Union

My heart’s heavy. Everyone is so on edge.

“You too,” I say, my voice not as strong as I’d hoped. Da hesitates for a moment before he places a kiss against my forehead and then he’s gone.

I turn back to Romero. “I’ll be fine, I’ll call you once I’m back.”

He sighs heavily. “I know, I wish you could stay here,” he places a kiss against my cheek, it’s soft and filled with tenderness.

“I’ll be quick, I need to get some things for Makenna and some new underwear, but then I’ll be back,” I promise him, knowing I’ll do everything in my power to be back as quickly as possible, once I am back, he’ll fret less.

“Thanks, doll face.” His lips descend on mine and my fingers clutch his suit jacket, pulling him closer to me. I need the kiss deepened, I want to feel that breathless feeling I get when Rome gets carried away, I want that soul searing kiss, the one that I feel all the way to my bones, the one that makes my toes curl.

Romero doesn’t disappoint, as soon as our tongues touch, he deepens it. We’re lost in each other, our tongues caressing one another that is until there’s a harsh coughing sound which breaks us apart.

“May want to let her breathe,” Finn says, amusement etched in his words.

I turn to look at my uncle, the only one who has welcomed me and my family with open arms. Patrick and Cian, still to this day are closed off and wary around us. I don’t care. We did nothing wrong. Granda Seamus fell in love with our granny and Da was born, but Granda Henry had other ideas and had him marry Makenna’s mam who was even worse than my own Ma, which is some feat. So Da was born and we never saw Granda Seamus until Makenna married Dante. Now we’re one big, dysfunctional family.

“Jealous, Finny?” Jade says with a smirk. She, like Makenna and I, gets along with Finn. Although she has a better relationship with him than I do, that's just the way Jade is, she gets along with everyone.

He grins at her and once again, I’m curious as to how he’s still single. Finn is handsome, he's got the same red hair as I do, he’s chiseled, fit, and his smile brightens the entire room. He’s the eldest of the Gallagher brothers, he’s thirty-three.

“You girls ready?” he asks not answering Jade’s question if he’s jealous or not.

Jade and I exchange glances and smile. “Yes, we’re ready, is Granda?” I ask, having not seen him since the rest of the family left.

“He’s sorting out the guards. He’s taking this seriously, as should the two of ye.”

I cross my arms over my chest as I narrow my eyes at him. “You think we don’t feel the same thing that everyone else is feeling? We know you’re all gearing up for a war, and we’re not stupid, so I’d appreciate it if you’d stop treating us as though we are.”

His lips curl up at the ends as though he’s trying to hide his smile. “Come on, the sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back and that’ll mean I won’t have your husband breathing down my neck.” He shakes his head but continues to fight his smile. It’s one of the things that I love about Finn, he can be so easy going and fun to be around. He never makes me feel as though I’m unwelcome.

“Hol, I’ll see you in the car, I’ve got to speak to Da before we leave,” Jade says but I have a feeling that’s more so Rome and I can have some alone time before we leave.

“Doll face,” Romero says softly and I turn to face him, his gaze burning into my skin, “you’ll be safe.” It’s a promise, a vow. “Nothing is going to hurt you.” He pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone…”

I shake my head, “It’s fine, Jade and I will catch up. It’s been a while.” I sink further into his embrace. “Be safe, Rome. I love you. I’ll be pissed if you came home hurt or worse.”

His body shakes with his chuckles, the sound of his laughter is a balm to my soul.

“While you’re shopping, get some of those sexy nighties, yeah?” He places a chaste kiss against my lips and I wish we could say fuck it and go back to bed.

“Be safe,” I repeat again, that nagging feeling in full force.

“Always, doll face. I’ll see you soon.”

I blink back the tears, somehow emotional with our goodbye. “Count on it. Love you.”

His eyes blaze with so much emotion it hurts my chest. “Be good.” Then he’s gone and the feeling inside intensifies.

God, what’s going to happen? I’ve never been so frightened before. I can only pray that everyone I love comes home in one piece and is alive.

* * *

“Have to say,”Granda begins with a smile, “I expected it to be a hell of a lot worse than that.”

I roll my eyes, I am not that fucking bad. “Don’t worry, Granda, once all this shit is over with, I’ll let loose, you’ll have a great time.”

We’re sitting in the car in Makenna and Dante’s driveway waiting for Finn, Malachy, Reilly, and Boz to do their walk through, making sure everything is okay.

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