Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I had let it be known that her brother’s past, especially the last weeks of his life, was buried with him. His death was the result of fighting with us. He saved his sister’s life, and that was how he was being remembered. I would allow nothing else to be said about him. With that single act, he had cleared away his past deeds, and I would always owe him for that.
I had a feeling that even without Brian, Lopez would have gotten to Una, his obsession for her that deep. The information Roman’s man had found on the deceased criminal made the hair on my neck stand on end. I was grateful he was dead.
I watched as she thanked people for coming to the service. Made sure they had a drink and food. Much like the day I had seen her at her dad’s funeral. Looking out for everyone but herself. Only this time, I was beside her, a silent sentinel, my presence signaling to everyone who she belonged to. And I looked after her, making her sit, ensuring she ate. Handling any detail that happened so she could mourn quietly and listen to the good things people had to say about Brian. His humor. Stories of him and his dad. I was grateful when those made her smile. To allow her to recall there had been some good in him. I had to believe there was, given how she loved him.
It wasn’t a large crowd, but many from the syndicate were there, paying their respects and shaking my hand, our united front clear.
Una requested a private graveside gathering, so it was only us as she placed the small urn beside her parents’ graves. I stepped back, giving her the privacy she needed. Her lips moved in a low whisper as she crouched by the small plot, and I knew she was telling her brother words she wanted to share with him and no one else.
I looked around the mostly empty graveyard. It was overcast and gray. Drizzly. The somber weather matching the occasion.
Una stepped back, taking my proffered hand. She was pale, quiet, and still so beautiful in her grief. I knew she was struggling to find her feet, and I also knew there was a conversation we had to have.
One I dreaded.
Back at the hotel, she changed into warm leggings and one of my sweaters. She felt constantly cold these days and needed as much warmth as she could find. I changed as well, ordering tea for her and coffee for me. She wrapped her hands around the mug, inhaling the bergamot fragrance.
“You could save a lot of money and make the tea in the room yourself,” she murmured.
I smiled at her gentle scolding. “It’s all my money, Una. It doesn’t really matter.”
She glanced around. “Your condo had more life in it. Pictures, that sort of thing.”
“I told you before this was just a place to sleep. I haven’t really considered it home. Nothing felt like home after you left.”
She frowned, studying her mug but not saying anything. I took a long sip from my coffee, needing the bracing caffeine.
“Una, we need to talk.”
Her gaze flew to mine, panic flaring in them. “Finn?”
“No, everything is all right. But the future, Una. We need to talk about the future.”
“The future?” she whispered.
I nodded, gathering the words I needed to say. Knowing her reply might once again leave me alone and without her. A reality I was prepared for. Expecting, in fact, after what had occurred.
“How you foresee us going forward.”
She frowned, looking around. She rose from the sofa and walked around the room, staring and seemingly lost in thought.
“Honestly?” she asked.
I nodded, bracing myself. “Honest. We are always honest with each other.”
“For starters, I’d want to bring some color in here. Personality. I don’t want to live in a hotel room. Well, one that looks like a hotel room—even an expensive one.”
Something in my chest tripped. A small ripple went through me. “You want to stay here with me?”
“Well, first off, I can’t bear the thought of going to my apartment, and frankly, I can’t see you living there. It’s too small. We could look for another place, but I know you like being on-site here. But if we could make it more personal…”
At the look on my face, she trailed off, and an expression of anxious disbelief crossed hers.
“Oh. Oh God, you don’t want me here.”
I was on my feet instantly, crossing the room. I cupped her face, shaking my head. “I want nothing more. I didn’t know if you wanted to stay with me.”
“You mean stay here with you?”
I frowned. “I thought you were going to leave me again, Una.”
Her eyes went wide. “Leave you?”
“You have always hated that part of my life. You left me once because of it. This time was worse because it was you. I wouldn’t blame you.”