Catch Him(49)

“No, I mean with us. All this work you plan on doing. I mean after this whole shindig is over and everyone is safe, what are your plans to win me back?”

Declan hadn’t really considered that. Currently he was between assignments, but he imagined that would change. If he was going to leave Sinead for periods of time, he imagined she would prefer being closer to her family. Because despite their tenuous relationship, Declan now had proof her father obviously cared for her. His hatred of Declan being said proof.

“Logistically, I can live anywhere if you have your heart set on staying in San Francisco. I do need to spend some time in London being David Whitmore…”

“You mean that’s your actual name in London?”

Declan smiled at her surprise. She would hopefully come to understand that much of what he’d told her about his life was true.

“Oh yes. David is a carefully constructed character with an appropriate background. A circle of disgusting rich friends who bore the crap out of me, which you know about. It allows me cover and allows me to control my financial empire while still being able to take on certain tasks I choose.”

Sinead considered him. “You’re like Batman without the costume.”

Declan shrugged. “Batman. Yes, I suppose. Although no gadgets either. Well, not as many.”

Mary rolled her eyes as she pulled the lasagna out of the oven. “Sinead, something to know about my brother. His head can get as big as his ass. Best to make sure that while it might be fine to call him a superhero from time to time, you’ll also want to be popping that balloon any chance you get.”

Sinead smiled as she sipped her wine. “Mary, I think you and I are going to be great friends.”

Declan looked at the two women in his life he loved beyond reason.

Them. Teaming up against him. Suddenly he was very worried.





Chapter 16





The three of them were just finishing up dinner when the doorbell rang. As Declan knew nobody without approved security got through the gate, it was a pretty good guess who was at the door.

“I’ll get it,” he told them both. “Relax and enjoy your wine.”

He made his way through the house to the front door, which had already been opened by one of his security men inside.

Jillian was brushing off beads of raindrops from her coat, which made Declan realize how little he’d been paying attention to his surroundings. Apparently it was pouring outside.

“Did you do it?” he asked her.

“Hello to you to, friend. What a lovely welcome.”

“Cut the act Jill. If the task was successfully done, then I know you’re only here to satisfy your curiosity, and it’s not the best time. I’ve barely just gotten her to forgive me, I don’t need my ex stirring up trouble.”

“This is your ex?” Sinead folded her arms across her chest. Apparently, she too was curious about the visitor and followed him out of the kitchen. Swell. “I thought she was like a drug addict or something.”

Jillian punched him in the shoulder hard enough to make it hurt.

“You told her I was a drug addict?”

“No, only that you’re addicted. Which you are. Your drug just happens to be danger, but it’s still as deadly.”

Jillian patted his wounded shoulder. “Poor Dec. I told you. You can’t save everyone.”

She turned her attention to Sinead.

“The temp at the Tricorp office.” Sinead looked like she swallowed something disgusting. Yes, Declan thought, exactly what he didn’t need right now.

Jillian shrugged as if to say guilty as charged. “For the record,” she offered, “I told him the letter was a really bad idea.”

“Yeah, I’m probably not going to like you,” Sinead said. “Beautiful ex-girlfriend and all that. Just keeping it real.”

Jillian laughed. “Oh but I am going to love you. Mr. BrokenHearted here has been moping around for weeks. Now, I can see he’s already back to himself. Which is good because what you suspected was going to happen is in fact happening. Flynn is already in flight on his way back.”

“What’s happening?” Mary asked as she too had come to see who the visitor was. “Hi, Jillian.”

“Hi, Mary,” she said tightly.

“Jillian, why do you sound like that?” Mary asked.

She was no fool, Declan knew. She’d been around all of them too long not to be able to tell when the situation was dire.

He sighed and decided there was no hiding it. “Garrett, and most likely his father as well, are on the way here.”

Mary gasped, then turned to Sinead, clearly hurt by the betrayal. “How could you?”

Sinead blinked and shook her head. “No, no, no. I didn’t do this. I didn’t tell him where you were. I swear it.”