Page 3

“Right,” Seamus says, stepping in front of the crowd and ushering me to the car. “That’s enough questions.”

Declan gives me a hug and a slap on the back, opening the door for me.

Does he look guilty? Does Seamus?

I slide into the back seat.

“What are they fuckin’ talking about, Dec? Thought you were marrying the Esposito girl.”

“Was,” Declan says, clearing his throat. “I’ve got a story for you.” He gives me a sidelong glance. “I see you got the clothes we dropped off. Figured the old ones wouldn’t fit you anymore.”

“Nope.”

He grins. “Did you try them on and break out of them like the fuckin’ Hulk?”

Smiling feels good, but it’s unfamiliar. “Aye.”

“The guard looked like he was happy to see you go.”

I lean back in my seat. “Right. I behaved, but he doesn’t like lads he can’t physically intimidate. Now tell me that story you said you’ve got for me, and tell me why I’m out. I’ve got all the time in the world.”

Declan nods, and his eyes flick to Seamus, as if asking for permission.

Seamus sits in the passenger seat and shuts the door.

“Good to see you, brother. Mam’s hard at work on your favorite dinner. Everyone will be there tonight.”

I nod. I’d prefer an empty flat and a cold pint. “And you’ll fill me in on what happened?”

“I’ll fill you in on everything.”

I need to see what’s changed in my absence. Why I’m out. There’s always a trade-off in this life.

What did we trade this time? What was the cost?

“What’s different, Seamus? What do I need to know?”

Seamus nods, contemplating. With his blue eyes and ruddy cheeks, he looks like a younger version of my father. “You know Cavin’s married Erin Kavanagh. She’s expecting a baby soon.”

“Aye.” I nod.

He continues. “And her sister Bridget’s pregnant.”

Didn’t hear that one, and don’t much care about Erin’s sister, but⁠—

“She’s mine,” Declan says, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. I feel my brows go up.

“That right?”

He nods.

“Does that explain why you’re not engaged to Esposito anymore?”

“Aye. We’ve got a lot to catch up on. It’s the Espositos who are responsible for your release.”

I nod. “Right.” We do have a lot to catch up on. “Who’s gonna fill me in?”

Declan's eyes find mine in the mirror again. “Short of it is this. The woman I was engaged to wasn't Valentina Esposito. Boston had the real one somewhere and put their own girl in her place.”