“I didn’t get you anything.” Even though I know he won’t care about it, I feel as if I’d like to get him something.
“Ye’re gift enough fer me, Einin.” He reaches for a drawer in his desk and pulls it open. Inside is a mess of stationery, but amongst everything, is a small box that he sets on my palm. “It was somethin’ I got fer ye before ye left. I just didn’t have the bollocks to give it to ye.”
I look up at him with the box in my hand. My pulse is thrumming in my ears, and my throat is thick with emotion. We used to buy each other presents every year. Twice a year—birthdays and Christmas.
I lower my gaze before opening the box, and my eyes fill with tears when I see the pretty ring shimmerin’ at me. The stone is beautiful, with colours that remind me of an ocean.
“This is beautiful, Tye,” I whisper past the lump in my throat. Swallowing back my emotions, I fight the tears that threaten to fall. I didn’t expect something like this, least of all when I’ve just got him back. “You know finding you again was gift enough for me.”
He chuckles, causing me to look up. “Aye? Want me to return it then?”
“Naw.” Giggling, I swat him on the chest. “I just didn’t expect this.”
“It’s a promise,” he tells me. “I want ye to know that no matter what happens from here till my final breath, I’m not leavin’ you alone. Ever.”
“Stalker,” I tease before pressing my lips to his.
“I think ye’d like me to stalk yer sexy arse,” Tye growls against my lips then he deepens the kiss. Warmth floods me in that moment. I smile against his mouth. Suddenly, he breaks contact and reaches for the ring. “Time to slip this on. And if ye take it off, I’ll spank yer wee arse.”
It fits perfectly on the ring finger on my right hand. My left hand will have to wait for the day we make this permanent. But for now, I couldn’t be happier. Everything seems to be working out.
“I’m happy,” I tell him, looking deep into his eyes.
“I know things are goin’ to work out,” Tye tells me, a smile creasing the corners of his eyes, as his lips curl upwards. “And I know ye’re goin’ta need time to work through the past few years.”
“But I have you,” I whisper. “The only thing that got me through the worst moments was thinking about you. Even though I was convinced you’d moved on, I remembered our friendship. I remembered the kiss.” My admission is a soft murmur, but I know he heard me.
I never told him then what it felt like kissing him. I was so convinced he only did it because I was leaving, I kept all those feelings bottled up, hidden away from him, because I didn’t want to lose my best friend.
“Nothin’ will ever take ye away from me again,” Tye confirms before he wraps his arms around me. They’re strong, warm, and I nestle against his chest.
“I didn’t think I belonged here,” I whisper into his neck as I hide from what I can only imagine is a glare. “When I first walked in, I was the outsider, and it was as if you’d got a new family. I didn’t want to be the hanger on. You know?”
Tye releases me and cups my cheeks, forcing me to look at him. I can’t move away. My gaze lands on his and I’m held hostage by the fire burning in his eyes.
“Ye belong with me,” he tells me. “And if that means we stay here, then so be it. If we have to leave one day, then we do it together.”
“Sounds like a deal,” I say before pressing my lips to his.
“Are ye workin’ or fuckin’?” Monster’s deep voice startles us both, and we turn to find him on the threshold of the office. He’s grinning as he leans against the doorframe to regard us, arms folded across his chest. He looks like a da who’s caught his teen daughter with the boy next door.
“Aye,” Tye says. “Just takin’ a wee break.”
“Get on with it,” Monster replies as he enters the room, completely unperturbed by the sight before him. “Spoken to Venier. He says there’s been some movement at the pier. I think we need to make a run to the docks tonight. I want to go when it’s dark.”
“Sounds good. I’ll trace any comms on shipments comin’ in. I haven’t seen any so far, but if Bragan is makin’ a move, I’ll find it.”
I move off Tye’s lap and settle in the chair beside him. He gets to work quickly. Watching him in his element is intriguing. He loves what he does, and it shows because his focus is on the screen.
“Ye stayin’ with us?” Monster asks, looking directly at me.
“Yes, if you’ll have me.”
He narrows his gaze, and for a moment, I’m pretty sure he’s about to refuse me, but then he grins. “Can’t have one of my best lads leavin’ me now.” He gestures with his chin towards Tye, and it makes me smile. “Ye’re welcome to the family. We’ll have a party this weekend to initiate ye.”
“I wanted to take her up to Ballycastle as well,” Tye says, leaning back in his chair. “Just a couple of days.”
“Aye.” Monster nods. “Take as much time as ye need. Just know if we find Bragan, we’re movin’ in. I won’t wait this time. I want the fecker dead.”