Page 92 of Destined Lovers

Declan doesn’t say a word. The only reason I know he is listening is because his heartbeat is thumping out of his chest.

“A few weeks before the case, apparently, my dad started getting threats that he better not show up for the trial. I didn’t know this back then. I learned it later on. Of course, my da has a duty, a job. He wouldn’t disappear because of some threats, but the week of the trial came…” I scrunch up my eyes. I don’t want to say it.

Declan’s hand starts to rub my back faster, sensing my unrest.

“I-I don’t want to say it.” I whimper into his chest.

“I got you, Nora.Use me…” He whispers, turning his head into the top of my head, placing small kisses across my forehead.

Be strong, Nora.

“The week of the trial, they came to my house and murdered my mam and da.” I pause, letting that sink in. Still snuggled into Declan.

“The mob murdered your parents?” He whispers.

“Mmhmm,” I choke. “And… I saw the whole thing.” I cry into him.

He starts to rock me back and forth like he always does when I need to be comforted, squeezing me tight against him. “Feck,” Declan whispers, and I can feel his tears run down my face, mixing with mine.

I knew this wouldn’t be easy, I didn’t realize it would be this hard.

“How did you see it?” He murmurs.

“Under the stairs, you know, the painting nook my da made for me when we moved to America?”

He nods his head.

“My mam wanted that wall to be mirrored, but the store was out, and he could only find the two-way glass. He thought it would be fun for me to have it that way, so he installed it that night. The day the mob came to the house, I was painting, and my mom came to say goodbye.” I reach for my necklace and hold it against my heart for comfort.

“She knew what was happening, Dec,” I cry. “She gave me her favorite necklace, pressed it to my heart with our thumbs, and said, ‘Imprinted on your heart forever.”The sobs don’t stop when I finish my sentence.Will this ever get easier?

“Nora,” Declan cries. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, angel. I’m so fecking sorry.” I lean back to look at him, both of our faces drenched with tears.

“Why wouldn’t you come to me? I would have been there for you. I don’t understand. Why would you want to go through that by yourself?” He shakes his head in confusion. He doesn’t get it.

“I couldn’t. I had to protect us both!” I yell, and he flinches. “Sorry, I don’t mean to yell,” I rub my forehead back and forth.

“Oh God, Pip. Is this what your nightmares are about? You see them get murdered?” He asks, and his eyes widen in realization when I nod. “Feck. I don’t understand, Nora. Help me understand.” He begs.

“After it happened, one of the guys said he would come back to clean up the mess. So the second they left the house, I called for an ambulance. I wasn’t sure… maybe there was still hope. You know?” I shrug. I knew they were very much dead. When you’re in that situation, you’re not thinking straight.

“I needed the paramedics and police to get there before those men returned. I didn’t know who they were at the time, but I knew they were not to be messed with. The paramedics checked me over because I was distraught, then moved me to a hotel since the house was a crime scene. We went over everything, and they explained who they thought the men were and that they didn’t want my da alive since he was the judge on the big-time case. My mam just happened to be home.” I run my hand down my face. I feel sick to my stomach, but I need to finish the story.

“That night, a deputy from the US Marshals Service came to explain that if I wanted justice for my parents—if I wanted to one day testify on their behalf—which of course I did, I would need to go into witness protection.”

Declan’s eyes widen. “You’re in witness protection?”

“Yes, it’s why you’ve heard me with different names, why my hair is not red anymore.”

“Fecking hell, Nora.” He says, brushing my hair off my face.

“So I had three options. Not do anything, not testify, just walk away and not get the justice my parents deserve. Testify and not go into witness protection, but then what? They find me and do what they did to my parents. Or I go into witness protection for my safety, to live to see the day they get justice. So I picked option three, but…” I look up into Declan’s sad eyes and whisper, “I didn’t know at the time that I wouldn’t ever talk to you again.”

“Why didn’t you call me to explain? I would have understood, Nora.”

“The second I agreed, they made it clear I couldn’t contact anyone, the next day, they already had new paperwork with the name Riley, a new passport, and hair dye. I freaked out so badly. I told them I had changed my mind and needed to speak to you. I did try, I promise.” I cry.

“Okay, Okay. I believe you… Shh.” He rubs my arms.

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