Page 14 of A Second Dawn

I remember our conversation back at the Irish pub in Sicily. Gosh, it seems like eons ago, like something I’ve read in a book, but didn’t actually happen. We hadn’t even kissed yet, and he so proudly announced that De Marco men always father male heirs first. Seems that tradition ends with me.

Would you like to make babies with me?

Those were his words. They made my stomach somersault and my blood heat.

Who am I kidding? They still have the same effect. Especially if I imagine Tiero’s sexy Italian accent and deep voice.

Tiero.

Despite everything, every part of me misses him. Will this longing for him ever go away?

Why did I have to fall in love with a gangster? Or why couldn’t I overlook that fact and be happy with him?

Because I have morals and like a normal life. Being under guard twenty-four seven and walking around with a target on my back isn’t my idea of fun.

My life in Dublin seems like a dream now. I had a job I loved, a place to live, and my best friend to spend time with. Predictable and boring, Claudette called it. But I don’t care—I want it all back.

Rhia will be waiting for my call from Atlanta. Is it still the plan to go there? Everything is up in the air, the uncertainty of it all threatening to take me under.

Rhia will be so worried if she doesn’t hear from me, but then Lex will know what’s going on given he’s responsible for sewing the false clues for Tiero. It hasn’t worked though, has it?

Did the Freemont crew underestimate just how resourceful Tiero is and how far his reach extends?

“Perhaps we should dress up as men,” Claudette suggests as she steps out of the bathroom.

We’ve been discussing ways to disguise ourselves to get past Tiero’s men watching the exits. The thought of them discovering me makes me light-headed.

“That could work,” I reply, wondering where on earth we’d get men’s clothes from.

“Or one of us could dress up as a grandma, and we borrow a wheelchair, while the other pretends to be the carer,” Claudette says, tapping her chin.

“I like it, but that might make it hard to run if we need to.”

“Good point. But if it came to that, I’d be a lost cause,” she chuckles. “I don’t run. If I did, though, I’d need a very supportive bra.”

My eyes land on her boobs. They are on the large side.

The emergency phone starts dancing across the nightstand before we can come up with any more ideas.

As instructed, I set it to vibrate to stop it from ringing and potentially alerting someone that this cabin is occupied when it shouldn’t be.

I check the display. Aiden.

Finally.

My fingers shake as I swipe to answer it.

“Hello,” I whisper.

“Why are you whispering? Are you okay?” he asks, sounding alarmed.

I nod, but then remember Aiden can’t see me.

“Sorry. I just don’t want anybody to hear me.”

“Are you not in that cabin anymore?” His question is tinged with concern.

“We haven’t left. But what if Tiero’s goons just happen to walk down the corridor while I’m on the phone with you?” I say, still speaking softly. “Are you here now?”

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