Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
My head is spinning with all this news. “How? You moved the body? No one heard the shooting in the city? Cops? What about bodies?” None of this makes sense to me.
“Conan has police connections,” Tiernan explains. “People had to die for this to be plausible, but it was a couple of guys who’ve done some really disgusting shit. The police haven’t been able to get anything to stick, so we took care of the problem for Conan’s connection at the station, and he, in turn, helped us with our own. Everything can be manipulated, little fighter. That’s how we get away with what we do.”
“But there’s always a risk of getting caught,” Conan says. “Tomorrow or five years from now. This could come back on all of us. You have to decide right now, Dean. You’re either completely in this with us, or you disappear.”
Conan doesn’t flinch when Tiernan flies out of the bed and shoves him against the wall.
“Who needs to learn control?” Conan asks calmly.
“I told you he’s fucking good. Don’t threaten him,” he growls.
“Tiernan. Stop it,” Fia scolds. “We don’t have time for this. Conan is putting himself at a huge risk for us.”
“Tiernan…stop. He’s right,” I tell him. “He’s right to question me.”
This is the moment. My whole life teeters on the edge. If I step forward, if I agree, there’s no turning back. I know firsthand what happens when you try. My father learned that lesson the hard way. I exhale, then take that step over the edge. “I’m in. Whatever I need to do, I’ll do it.”
This doesn’t mean I’m part of their crew, but I’ve taken one step closer. I’ve entangled myself with them even more than just being in love with Tiernan.
I’m sorry, Mom…Dad… I love you, but this is who I am.
Tiernan backs away, and Conan straightens his suit. “Good. I assume I don’t need to tell you what happens if you betray us.” Without another word, he walks out.
The room is quiet for a moment, Tiernan looking like he’s still trying to come down from his anger.
I flinch when his mom walks over to me, unsure what she’ll do.
Slowly, she reaches up and cups my cheek. “I can see her in you,” she says softly. “Audrey was my best friend. I loved her. I helped them plan to get away, and when Sloan found out, I was the one who warned them. I’m so sorry Liam didn’t make it and that Audrey’s gone now too.” Her hand falls away.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. There’s a rock stuck in my throat, tears welling in my eyes. I’ve never gotten to hear someone talk about my parents, never known anyone who knew them. “Thank you,” I manage to say. “She spoke highly of you too.”
“When this is all over, I can tell you some stories about her. We had fun together.”
“I, um…I’d appreciate that.” Somehow, her words help me feel like I’m making the right decision. We’re not good, any of us, but we’re not all bad either. There are layers and nuances to all of us, and we’re all just doing the best we can.
“Be good to my boy.” She winks.
“Jesus, Mom.”
“I will,” I reply. She turns to walk away, but stops when I say, “Wait.”
“Yes?”
“She didn’t want this for me, but I love him…and I think I need it. Do you think she would understand?”
Fia gives me a sad smile, her eyes welling with tears. “She was a romantic. She loved love, and she loved your father. She understood making sacrifices. You try to be as good as you can, you don’t let the hate and power take over. That’s how you can still honor her.”
I nod, wiping away tears, before she follows Conan, leaving us alone again.
I don’t know if we’ll make it out of this, if they’ll figure out we’re lying and all this shit will blow up in our faces, but what I do know is they’re my family. Aislin and Tiernan. Cillian and Rory. And maybe one day, Fia will see me as family too. Because I will never leave her son’s side, I will never betray him, and anything we face, we’ll do it together.
I look up, hold Tiernan’s gaze. “I love you.”
“I love you too. You’re mine. No one will ever take you away from me.”
No one will ever take him away from me either.
EPILOGUE
Tiernan
June
“Get out,” I say to Ollie the second we walk into Dean’s dorm room.
“Ignore him. He’s just being a dick,” Dean tells Ollie, who is packing things in a box on his bed.
I am just being a dick. I don’t need him to leave right now, but it’s the last time I’ll see him until the next school year, so I didn’t want to pass up the chance to be me. “Oh, did you want him to watch?” I tease.