Page 107 of Once Kissed

And I have Curran’s love to thank for it.

Chapter 29

Curran

“Later, Levon,” I call to him.

Levon smiles. It’s forced, but it’s a step forward—not the expression of defeat he usually carries. And the way he stands makes me think he’s not done fighting yet.

“Later, Curran,” he yells back.

I cross through the church garden again, pausing in front of the Holy Mother. I thank her for giving Levon another week with us. I also thank her for Tess’s laugh that morning, and for keeping our baby safe. Tess hasn’t laughed much lately. But since the doctor assured us everything’s fine, and now that she’s twelve weeks along, she’s smiling more, and yeah, laughing, too.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes.

Hey, cop. I miss you. Is everything all right?

I speak into the mic and send her back a text.I’m fine. Group went a little longer tonight.Who am I kidding? It went a lot longer. I was supposed to meet Tess an hour ago.

Are you coming to the pub?

I grin.Of course I am. Can’t miss my brother’s big celebration, can I? Not every day one man destroys an entire mafia empire.

I know. Twenty consecutive life terms for Montenegro alone. Can you believe it?

No. Declan fucking owned it.

So you’re coming? For sure?

I’ll be there in fifteen.

Good. He needs you. Despite all the higher-ups here, they don’t mean as much to him as his family.

I grin, knowing she’s right.Are my brothers and Wren there yet?

Yes. Finn and Wren were the last to show, but they’ve been here awhile now.She pauses, then adds,If you can believe it, Miles Fenske’s daughter is also here.

Melissa?

Yes.

Did she call Declan an asshole yet?

In the seconds it takes for her to respond, I know I’ve missed another of her cute laughs.No, but everyone is drinking, so I’m sure it’s coming.She waits, then adds,If she doesn’t sleep with him first.

What the…?You serious?

Curran, it’s odd. But despite their atrocious first meeting, neither can seem to tear their eyes off the other.

No shit? On my way. Save me a ringside seat.

I pocket my phone, but stop short when I catch sight of who’s waiting for me.

Joey sits by the entrance in his wheelchair, arms crossed, face tight. Seeing how his group had to wait for mine to end, it looks like he’s been waiting there a long time. All that aside, he doesn’t seem in a hurry to round the corner and head inside.

“Hey, Curran,” he says. “You have a minute?”

I don’t. But for him I do. “Yeah. Sure.”