“I’m not planning on it.”
A growl rumbles out of me, my arms tightening around her waist as though I can anchor her to me and keep her safe forever.
“I won’t be letting ye get into a situation like that.”
Her fingers trace over my biceps. That reminds me. Rolling over, I tug open the nightstand drawer, lifting out the jewelry case and turning on the lamp. Tig blinks, her eyes focusing on the velvet box.
“What’s that?”
“I got ye something.”
“When?”
“Never ye mind.”
Tig sits up, her eyes still glued to the box. Flipping it open, I lift out the necklace, holding it out to her. Tig’s fingers brush over the fine silver chain and the tungsten circle.
“A circle?” Confusion colors her tone. “It’s pretty.”
“Flip it over.”
She does, her fingers tracing the engraving. “What does it say?”
“Is tú mo shaol ar fad.”
Tig rolls her eyes. “And what is that in English?”
“Ye are my whole life.”
Pink tinges her cheeks, and she leans forward, pressing a kiss to my lips.
“I love it.”
Fastening the chain around her neck, I settle the engraving against her skin. Tig reaches up to touch it, frowning.
“The engraving isn’t showing.”
“That’s just fer ye.”
Her cheeks darken as she settles down in my arms, and I flip off the light.
“I love you, Seamus,” she murmurs into the dark. My arms close around her, my nose nuzzling into her hair.
“I love ye too, Tig.”
Her breathing evens as she falls asleep, my eyes drinking in her face. I went into this marriage angry and determined to resent her. I almost missed the best thing that ever happened to me. My arms tighten around her. I won’t be letting her go again.
Epilogue
TIGGY
Seamus and Paddy must have shared what I did to Ivan with the rest of the lads because they all tiptoe around me, except for Liam, who keeps calling me theBoston Slasheruntil Seamus punches him in the face and breaks his nose. Even after that, he still calls me it, but only under his breath so Seamus can’t hear.
Paddy is nice to me now. I’m sure it’s because I shot my father to save his life. It’s not for killing the man who murdered his parents. I think maybe he resents me for that. I think he wanted to be the one to do it, to avenge them, and a part of him feels like I stole it from him.
Niall and Connor stay with us for a few weeks after the shoot-out at the warehouse while the Irish systematically remove the Romanian mafia from Boston. This is exactly what Father said could happen. No wonder he wanted this marriage to happen. Additionally, Seamus refuses to leave my side, so they’re here to protect him.
Connor assures me they are here to protect me because no one cares if anything happens to Fitzy’s ugly mug. Indeed, apart from when I use the toilet, one of them is always in the room with me. Even when I need to go, Seamus finds some excuse to loiter outside the door. It’s completely embarrassing. I have taken to running the shower just to use the toilet without dying of humiliation.