Page 51 of Phoenix
“What?!” I shout with sheer panic in my voice. In fact, I can feel myself beginning to slip into a full-blown panic attack and have to sit down before I fall onto the floor. Jake and Warren both rush toward me, however, Warren gets there just before, steadying me with his strong arms and concerned eyes.
“Niamh, don’t you want to know he’s gone? To never have to worry about him coming after you ever again? You said so yourself, you still see his image, his shadow, hiding in wait for you. What if you could finally let him go, knowing he can no longer come after you because he no longer exists?”
“But I need you, Warren!” I cry, gripping him with so much force, I’m sure I’m close to drawing blood.
“And I need you,” he says in a whisper while looking deep into my eyes, “and we will have each other. This is only temporary, Niamh.”
“You promise? You swear you’ll come back?” I beg.
“I promise, baby,” he replies, smiling so softly, I love him that little bit more for it. “And then, we can live!”
“God, I hate this,” I admit as I shut my eyes to it all, “but ok.”
“That’s my brave girl,” he says as he kisses my head with the softest touch, “my strong girl.”
“You bring back Jake too,” I murmur, to which he laughs.
“Can I tell you a secret? The asshole can bring himself back without me. Don’t tell him though, he’ll start getting ideas.”
“I love you, Warren Flynn,” I tell him, clinging to his arm in the hopes that I never have to let him go.
“I love you,” he whispers back. “You’ll be my wife one day; did you know that?”
“No,” I giggle, “but I’m glad to know now. I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be.”
Chapter 19
Niamh
As soon as the sun came up the next morning, Warren left with Jake and his uncle. It feels as though he took my heart with him. His sister was standing right beside me as he left a trail of dust behind in his wake. She put her arm around my shoulders and pretended not to see me crying. Javier was standing to the other side of her, but he wasn’t looking at Warren leaving like we were, he was looking right at Lou. When he caught me staring, he simply offered a sad smile before walking back into the bar.
Shortly after, Lou helps me with a bag full of her old clothes into her car so we can make our way over to her house near the coast.
“Are you sure Daniel doesn’t mind me staying?” I ask as we travel along the highway. “I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“Daniel is chill, always has been,” she says with a beaming smile. “Besides, he’d do anything to keep me happy.”
“You really love him,” I observe, smiling and feeling pleased that she found happiness after everything that happened to her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sounds ominous,” she laughs, “it’s not about my brother’s bad habits, is it?”
“No, it’s about Javier. Did something happen between you two?”
“Ah,” she says with a sad sigh, “no. Obviously, you know about me and his brother, right?”
“Warren told me a little bit,” I admit, “but he didn’t say anything about you and Javier.”
“Javier admitted to having feelings for me,” she says in a hushed tone, “he sabotaged my relationship with his brother because he wanted more for me, a life outside of their shady business. I never felt the same as him, but I do love him, but like I love Phoenix.”
“Oh, I see…poor guy,” I utter, having a newfound respect for Warren’s scary friend.
“I worry he’ll never find anyone,” she says, “but then, I never thought my brother would find anyone either, and yet…” she pauses to smile at me, “here you are.”
“Believe me, I’m just as surprised that I managed to find him,” I admit. “Well, he found me, but you know what I mean.”
“You’re different, Niamh,” she says with confidence, “you were so quiet and withdrawn when I first met you, and now look at you. I’m glad you found one another.”
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