Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
I look down at our joined hands, feeling a sense of relief mixed with sadness. “There’s more I need to tell you. About why I walked out of the house and never looked back. About why I told your father I couldn’t work for him anymore.”
She nods, her gaze filled with anticipation. “Go on.”
I take a deep breath, the words heavy on my tongue. “I didn’t like the violence, but I left because I was scared. I was afraid of what I was feeling for you and the consequences. You were sixteen, and I was twenty-one. It wasn’t right, and I knew it. But it didn’t make it any easier.”
“I know,” she says softly. “And it didn’t stop me from loving you.”
I feel a lump in my throat, her words cutting through me like a knife. “It didn’t stop me falling for you either. But I had to let you go. For your sake.”
She looks at me, her eyes filled with tears. “And for your sake?”
I nod, feeling the weight of my confession. “Yes. At the time, it felt like I’d fecked up with your father because my feelings for you had grown into something more. I had to find myself, to understand what I wanted. I couldn’t do that while trying to hide a relationship with someone who was off limits to me. It wouldn’t have been fair to either of us.”
She squeezes my hand, her touch grounding me. “I understand, Hadrian. But it didn’t make it any less painful.”
“I know,” I say, my voice breaking. “But I’m here now, and I’m trying to make things right. To be honest with you, I want to show you who I really am.”
She looks at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and sadness. “So, what now?”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of her question. “I’m not sure. But I do know I want to be a part of your life in whatever way you’ll have me. As a friend, and as someone you can trust.”
She nods, her eyes searching mine. “I want that too. It will take time to heal our connection, but it’s still there, I can feel it.”
“I can feel it too,” I say, my heart aching with the knowledge that this isn’t something that can be fixed overnight. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
“There’s something else I need to focus on at the moment. Shipments are going missing, and I’m beginning to suspect that someone in the organisation is involved. I need to find out who is behind it and why.” Her gaze turns to the water.
“I’ll help you,” I offer. I have to find out who’s feckin’ with our imports, and this is a way of solving the problems we’re both facing.
We sit for a while longer, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks filling the silence between us. I look out at the horizon and see the storm clouds slowly beginning to clear, revealing a sliver of blue sky. It feels like a metaphor for our relationship, and for the glimmer of hope I’m feeling about what lies ahead.
“Hadrian,” Harley says softly. “Thank you for telling me. It means a lot.”
I look at her, my heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you for listening. And for understanding.”
She smiles, a genuine smile that lights up her face. “We’ve both been through a lot. But I believe we can get through this.”
I nod, feeling a sense of hope for the first time in a long while. “I’m sure we can.”
As we sit there, side by side, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. The past is behind us, and while the future is uncertain, I know we’ll be facing it together. No matter what happens, Harley and I share a bond that can’t be broken. And that’s something worth fighting for.
“We need to find out who’s been stealing the imports,” I tell her, steering the conversation back towards work.
“Well, I can take you to our main warehouse. You can have a look at the delivery manifesto. Maybe that will give you the answers you need.” There’s a confidence about her that’s alluring as she speaks. “Will Hades and your mate be coming along?”
“Aye, Racer and Hades are here to help with this job. We need to report back to Belfast with our findings, and if we need any backup, more of the lads will come over.”
“I suggest we all sit down together and come up with a plan. I’m not sure if we should include any of the men from my organisation. The traitor could be someone on the inside, so I don’t know who to trust.” She pushes to her feet as she speaks, and I can’t help but take in her womanly curves.
Harley is the epitome of sinfully sexy, and I’m having to fight the urge to hold her. I’m hoping the opportunity will come in time, and I’m prepared to wait. Now we’ve talked, there’s no way I’m walking away from her again without claiming what’s mine.