Catch Him(37)

“Again, your point?”

“Go after her. Tell her you’re sorry. Tell her… a little bit about what we do and what really happened at the house that night. If she cares enough, she’ll understand and forgive you. If she doesn’t, she’ll knee you in the balls and move on with her life. Then you can move on with yours too. Because I’ve got to say that this—this moping thing. This is not sustainable.”

Declan sipped his tea.

Jillian took that as a clear sign he was done discussing it.

“You know how bad I want you to be happy, don’t you? Even though I think you’re a raging, arrogant asshole most days.”

He huffed. “Yes. And I wish you happiness as well Jill, except we both know your balls are probably too big for any average man to be able to make that happen.”

She laughed, taking the half-insult, half-compliment in stride. Jillian actually liked to be known as a woman with a very large set.

“Big jerk. But at least think about what I said. I watched you guys together when I was doing surveillance and I know you sure as hell never looked at me like you look at her.”

As she got up to leave Declan’s phone rang. He lifted it.

“Report.”

“Uh…we got a problem.”

Declan immediately sat up, which caught Jillian’s attention. She turned back into the office.

“You mean a bigger problem than the fact that you lost her?”

He’d had Flynn stay out on the west coast and tail her as a precaution. Just to make sure Sinead settled back into her normal everyday life. Something he’d expected her to do once she got the letter.

Dec was starting to think he couldn’t expect anything from her anymore. Because three days ago, a day after getting the letter, instead of going to back to her old life Flynn reported her leaving her place at five in the morning. Dec told him to follow her and Flynn quickly realized she was headed to the airport. The airport, where she’d managed to shake loose Flynn’s tail in the long-term parking lot.

Flynn was not an easy person to shake loose from. She must have picked up on the fact she was being followed.

Now Dec had no idea where she was. If she’d even gotten on a plane or not. Three days of having no idea where on earth she could be or what she might be doing. It had been driving him insane. The only option left for Dec was to have Flynn stay on Huntley and monitor his moves. Flynn calling meant something was happening.

“Hey, I told you. In my defense…she was pretty good. Slippery little thing with moves.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Declan snarled. “Is it Huntley? Is he moving?”

“Nothing obvious. Other than father and son seem to be spending a lot of time together at the house.”

“Then talk to me.”

“I got a call from security at the house. Mary buzzed someone through. I know you’re going to think this is crazy, but based on the description… I think it’s your girl.”

“Sinead,” Declan said so there could be no misinterpretation. “She’s with Mary at the farm? In the house. Right now?”

“Yep.”

Declan blinked. It wasn’t possible. “That’s not possible,” he said aloud as if by saying it, it must be true.

“I’m not sure you can say that when it’s actually happening.”

“Tell security, she doesn’t leave,” Declan commanded.

Flynn laughed. “Dude, she just got there. I don’t think she has any intention of going anywhere until you show up.”

Declan disconnected the call and looked up to see Jillian smiling.

“I am so fucking impressed right now.”

“This is not a happy event, Jill. She has no idea what’s she done. Mary is in jeopardy, now Sinead’s life is in danger too.”

“Then go save them both. Isn’t that what you love to do?”

“Fuck you, Jill.”

“Just keeping it real, brother. You’ll do what needs to be done. You always do.”



* * *

It took Declan nearly an hour to make his way out of the city into the rural sleepy town of Middleburg, Virginia. His grandfather’s farm, that he’d bought and rebuilt for Mary, was tucked amongst gentle rolling hills. It was a big and sprawling farm, but most importantly it was private. A privacy he’d reinforced with a wall that surrounded the entire property. There was security staff inside the house, and for good measure twenty-four-hour surveillance outside the house as well.

The only way Sinead would have been able to get past the security gate was if Mary let her in. Which begged the question why Mary was allowing strangers onto the farm when she knew how much trouble she was currently in with her ex.