Page 96 of Destined Lovers

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We’ve been driving for over an hour, inching our way toward London. The closer we get, the bigger the pit in my stomach grows.

Declan has not said one word to me this whole ride.

I’m completely paranoid. Is it because it’s Declan and he likes the quiet to think, or is he giving me the silent treatment? I’ve never been so uneasy around him in my life.

I keep nervously playing with my long floral skirt, picking it up, putting it down over and over to distract myself.

“I should probably call Bennett. He’s going to be worried.”

“Why are you so concerned about Bennett?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

“Because whether you like it or not, he protected me for the last eleven years. He’s like a brother to me, which goes beyond his job. When the case is over, he will still be someone important in my life.”

He crosses his massive arms in front of his chest, stretching his shirt around his biceps. It takes every inch of power I have not to look at his tattooed forearms that he just exposed by rolling up his sleeves.

Now is not the time to ogle.

“I can’t believe…” He shakes his head and looks out the window.

“You can’t believe what?” I snap, frustrated with his attitude. I know he’s mad, but how the hell does he think I feel in all of this?

“Just forget it. Before you call him, I think we should go over what will happen. I’m sure he’ll want to know.”

“Fine,” I huff.

“I’ve already contacted my good friend Ethan who owns a security firm. He’ll be sending over fourteen guards for me to interview tomorrow morning, all his very best men.”

My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets, “Fourteen?!” I stammer, “What the actual hell, Declan? Can you even afford that?” Fourteen guards for six months. I can’t even fathom how much that costs, millions?

He shrugs, “Easily, Nora.” God, how much money does he have?

“I would never put a price on your safety. I would sell my soul to ensure you and our loved ones are safe.”

“Do you think this is all necessary? Is fourteen not overkill?”

“I reached out to a few contacts for information on this, Conor Byrne, and Nora… this is no joke. He is not to be fecked with. He will kidnap, kill, and/or torture anyone to get to you if it means keeping him out of prison. These people are sick in the head, aye?” He takes a sharp breath. “And now that you’re coming to London, I won’t be able to hide you for all these months. You’ll meet all my friends, which inadvertently puts them at risk. I want all the women protected.”

God, I didn’t even think about how the people around me would need protection. Does he think…

“What about Agnes? Should we get her a bodyguard?” I frown, suddenly nervous for her.

He smirks sarcastically, “Now you care about her?”

I narrow my eyes. “What the feck does that mean, Declan? Of course, I care about my nan.” She’s one of the most important people on the planet. Of course, I care for her. It’s why I had to leave her, too. I didn’t want her mixed up in this.

“When you left, she was so distraught she barely slept or ate. She’s lost weight and has been on and off sick for a while. Just this morning, she told me she’s on bed rest with pneumonia. I was on the phone making flight arrangements to see her tomorrow when I ran into you.”

I stare at him in shock. Pneumonia. Is she sick all by herself? No one to take care of her?

“Is she going to be alright?” I whisper and swallow the lump in my throat.She has to be all right.

“I don’t know, Nora. That’s why I was going to see her tomorrow,” he says softly, compassion lacing his words.

My bottom lip quivers, a girl can only take so much and today was a lot.

“Don’t cry, Pip,” Declan mutters. “She’ll be okay. We can call her when we get home.”

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