Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
I can’t deny it’s true. I was always his. My young heart knew it before I had time to admit it. Whenever I looked at Tye, I knew I would be okay. He was there for me, he was more than just a friend. He was my first love. And I know even if I didn’t get back here, even if he didn’t find me, he would be my last love because he took my heart so many years ago.
As if he’s reading my mind, Tye says, “Ye stole my feckin’ heart, Einin. Fer six long years, I was so angry with ye. I thought ye’d taken it and run off, that ye didn’t give a shite,” he continues softly. “But it was my mistake. I shoulda fought fer ye.”
“You couldn’t have known,” I whisper, my stare locked on his. His touch is tender when he once again swipes along my lips.
“I shoulda known,” he affirms as his brows furrow. His expression is pained, as if it hurts him to think he didn’t realise I was taken. “Never again.” The two words are a vow, a promise, and I know he means it because the one thing Tyrion O’Connell is known for is that he never breaks a promise.
For a moment, I ache for him to kiss me. To swipe all those memories of darkness away, but he steps back and drops his hand. I shiver when he’s no longer close, his warmth stolen from me.
“Ye should be restin’,” he says. “I’ve just brought ye up somethin’ to eat. I’ll come fer ye in the mornin’.” With a smile, he turns and leaves.
The door is shut, I’m alone, and yet, I don’t want to be. Deep down, I want to run after him and ask him to stay, but I know he won’t, because he would want me to heal. The thing is, he’s the one who can fix me. I’m sure of it.
So, for now, I make myself at home because I’m not leaving him again.
Ever.
SEVEN
TYE
Last night was difficult.
I didn’t want to walk away from her, but I knew I had to. She needs time. There are things she’s been through, things I don’t know yet, which will still haunt her.
There’s no doubt, though, I meant what I said. I’m not letting her go again. She’s mine, always has been. Nobody is going to go near her, hurt her, ever again. Now I have her, she’s here to stay.
“Merry Christmas, Tye,” Miren says as she enters my office with a mug of coffee.
“Thanks, love. Merry Christmas, to ye.” It’s early in the morning, not even six yet, but I’m working. She and Monster are happy. Watchin’ them in love is like watchin’ those feckin’ romance movies. Her London accent is still strong when she speaks, but every now and then, she’ll mimic Monster in some way, which makes me laugh.
Miren smiles as she looks over at me then says, “She’s lovely.”
“Aye.” I nod. “She’s always been like that. Just a bit shy, but there’s a light inside her I fell in love with.” I’ve never told anyone this before. Never admitted I loved her to anyone else but myself. Takin’ the mug from Miren, I say, “Thanks.”
“It’s a special day today.” Miren settles in one of the chairs beside me. “You should tell her how you feel. Not only to make yourself feel better, but just so she knows where you stand. If you never tell her, she’ll always doubt it.”
“Like Rebel?” I throw out, thinking about how he and Callia keep their feelin’s bottled up and neither of them is happy. Callia still has secrets, I get that, but Rebel is the only one who would be able to break down her walls.
“Yes,” Miren says. “Rebel’s stubborn, but trust me, he’ll come around at some point. There’ll be a break in those walls. At times, it takes one scary moment, when you think you’re going to lose the person you love to shatter every defence you’ve built around you.”
“Thank you.” She’s right. I need to say the words, but I need to say them to Einin.
Miren leaves me with those thoughts to ponder as I scroll through information on Patrick. I’ve sent what I found through to Dante Savage. One of the men who works on the dark web. We came across each other one day while hackin’ into surveillance and kept in touch.
Dante mentioned there was another hacker investigating the traffickin’ ring. Known as the Fallen, they’re three lads lookin’ for missin’ family members. I’m pretty sure, from the description they’ve sent through, it’s the youngens that Ramirez was talkin’ about. I hope they find them.
I work until eight before I head up with a cup of coffee to get Einin. She is probably enjoyin’ a lie in, but we need to have a little heart-to-heart before we sit down with the family for Christmas lunch later.