Page 50 of Destined Lovers

Suddenly a man I don’t recognize walks into my view, dragging my da behind him.

Oh my god! I cover my mouth so they don’t hear me.

“First, I’m going to kill your wife so you can watch.” The man sneers into my da’s face and a second man comes up behind my mam and in one swift swing, hits her over the head with a lead pipe.

“Nooooo!” my da screams, and I throw another hand over my mouth to keep in the sobs racking through my body.

Noooo, mammy, noooo. Oh my god, someone help!

“Nora! Nora! Wake up, babe.” Declan shakes me, and my eyes shoot open as I scream out for my mam.

“Nora, talk to me,” Declan’s worried voice begs.

My hand flies to my neck, desperately trying to find the necklace under my shirt. I grab it and press it hard into my chest with my thumb for comfort, then turn into Declan and bury my head in the crook of his neck. “I want my mammy,” I scream into Declan.

I want my mam.

My body shakes and convulses as my sobs rip through my body. Declan pulls me tighter against him, rubbing my back in comfort until I calm down.

“Were you having a nightmare?”

I nod into his neck.

“Do you have them often?”

I continue shaking my head frantically. “Sometimes,” I cry. I hate them so much. It’s like re-living the worst day of my life, over and over again.

“Do you want to talk about it, Pip?” Declan whispers softly.

I shake my head. I can’t. I don’t want to say it out loud; it makes it too real.

“It’s okay, shhh.” He rocks me back and forth, continuously rubbing my back.

“What did I tell you, Nora?”

“I don’t know,” I murmur.

He leans back to look me in the eye. “Use me. Lose yourself in me. Whenever, wherever,use me. Talk to me, or don’t, but either way, I’m always here for you.”

He said this when I told him my parents had died.

“You are the most perfect person, do you know that, Declan? I’ve never met anyone like you, and I don’t suppose I ever will.” I lean up and kiss his lips. I love this man so much.

“Do you want to get up?” he asks.

“No, don’t let me go. Please,” I whimper. I know I’m being needy, but I haven’t felt this much comfort in years, and I don’t want to let it go.

“I already told you earlier,never.” He lays down, pulls me on top of him, then wraps us together in the blanket and kisses me deeply.

“Sleep, Pip. I’ll be right here for you. All night.”

And he was true to his word, holding me all night long, never letting me go for even a second. Even in his sleep, his subconscious knew I needed him.

* * *

We woke up an hour ago, but I’m still lying in this soft plush bed; it’s too comfortable to leave. Declan, the crazy man, has gone for a long run before we head out for our hike later this morning.

It was surreal waking up with Declan, wrapped in his arms safely, something I had longed for my whole life. When he stirred and woke up, he rolled us over, pulled me into his side, and kissed me good morning like it was the most natural thing to do.

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