I’d never thought I could feel so much for someone after such a short length of time, but that was the difference. I’d watched her for so long that I knew more about her than she would ever imagine.
Just as, I realized, she was with me, because I highly doubted that inquisitive mind of hers would have stopped researching the family—she’d just have been quieter than before.
We had a five-year courtship under our belts. Without either of us realizing it.
Huffing at the thought, I hobbled into the hall and trudged down toward Conor’s office. When I found it empty, I checked the sofa first before I headed to the room off the kitchen where the other elevator was situated behind a locked door, figuring he was in there like I’d thought earlier.
As I ambled into it, I heard a faint noise coming from the walk-in freezer and, rolling my eyes at the sound, knocked on the door to the elevator, calling out, "It’s me."
A minute later, Conor opened the doors. His hair was all over the place like he’d been tugging on it, and his eyes were red-rimmed from fatigue.
I was used to him looking wired but this was getting beyond a joke. When a guy looked worse than the addict in the family, that was fucked up.
I didn’t say anything though, because he was guarding Savannah while I’d rested, and instead asked, "Who’s in the walk-in?"
He blinked. "The two guys who were waiting for you on the eighteenth floor."
He said that like it was obvious.
"Why did you bring them up here? I told you to have them taken to the Hole."
"I wanted to try something."
"Try what?"
He smirked. "You sure you want to know?"
"Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t," I grumbled. "Spit it out."
"I‘ve been fucking with a Taser."
"Suping it up?"
"Yep," he replied cheerfully.
"You tested it on them yet?"
"Nah. Wanted to freeze them a bit."
I snorted. "Sick fuck."
He winked. "Takes one to know one. Plus, I don’t know, I thought it would alter the impact on their system."
"Wouldn’t it dampen it?"
"Maybe. It’s a test. I have the freezer up here, so why wouldn’t I try it? Brennan can always experiment on one of the other poor fuckers who end up at the Hole. This is a good opportunity."
Interested, I asked, "Wanna try it now?"
"Shouldn’t you be asleep?"
"Yeah, but I can’t settle."
"Your penguin okay?"
I scowled at him a second, thinking he was joking, then I remembered what he'd called her when he'd first learned her identity, so I heaved a sigh. "No nightmares or anything. She was freaked in the elevator."
"You really do like her, huh?" He eyed me curiously. "Not seen you so protective of someone before. You’re normally a bit of a selfish asshole."
I smirked and threw his own words back at him, "Takes one to know one."
He shrugged. "I make no bones about it. Either way, don’t hide from the question."
"I’m not. You know she means more to me than usual otherwise I wouldn’t give a fuck about her situation and would have dumped her on Brennan or Declan."
"True. Funny how you’re skirting the conversation."
"Mostly because there isn’t a conversation to have yet."
"You’re taking her to Christmas Dinner?"
"Yes."
A knowing gleam appeared in his eyes. "Aidan and Savannah, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
I scowled at his mockery. "What are you? Eight?"
"In spirit if not in body," he retorted, moving into a sweeping bow. "Either way, if you’re willing to take her there, that says more than you not dumping her on Dec or Bren. Da will have questions. You know we don’t take people over there unless they’re about to become a part of the family."
I pursed my lips. "You finished?"
"No. I mean, let’s face it, I’d prefer him to focus on you and Savannah. It means he’ll give me less shit about the hack. I’m just trying to warn you. That’s all."
"I know. I appreciate it, Kid." I clapped him on the back. "Let me worry about Da."
"Well, I will, but you know he’s gonna have ideas about you and I marrying someone."
"I know."
"Probably an Italian someone," he prodded.
"That’s not going to happen. Anyway, in the chaos, I forgot. Luciu Valentini was waiting for me at The 68."
"The Valentini Bren was talking about the other night?"
"Yesterday," I corrected dryly. "It just feels like a fucking week ago." I grunted. "Anyway, yeah. He has a proposition for us."
"I’ll bet." Conor’s tone was dry. "Either way, I’m more interested in this declaration you’re about to throw down with Da. As long as you know what it means..."
"He’s going to think she’s my girlfriend. He’s going to think this is a run up to me proposing," I retorted, annoyed with the conversation. "I know, Conor. Trust me, I know. I’m still going to do it. I should have fucking done it years ago."
"Really?" Conor arched a brow. "Hmm. You known her long?"
"Five years." I tipped my chin up. "Like you didn’t know that already, which means this fishing session is over."
"You gonna marry her?"
"Maybe."
"Unlike you to not be decisive. Although, the Oxy’s changed you, of course. Don’t think it’s made you less of an arrogant schmuck."
Despite myself, I snickered. "Thanks, bro."
"Welcome."
"And yes, maybe. It’s way too soon."
"You see it heading that way?"
I’d seen it heading that way five fucking years ago. It was as insane then as it was now, but that didn’t take away from the truth of the matter, did it?
"You ever meet Star?" I asked softly.
"No. We only recently talked on the phone."
Well, that was a new development. "You like her, don’t you?"
"Yes."
"Wanna fuck her?"
"Yep."
"Know what she looks like?"
"I get where you’re coming from," he said dryly. "I wanted to fuck her before I knew she was Star Sullivan and knew what she looked like."
"Attraction, chemistry, need, lust, love, it doesn’t have to make sense."
"Agreed."
"Sometimes, you just have to go with what feels right, and something has felt right about Savannah for a long ass time."
"I’m glad, Aidan. You were lost for a long time and I wasn’t sure what would bring you back to us. I’m glad that you cleaned up before she came along. I’d like to think that was for a reason. I’d like to think that you were preparing yourself for her."
"Didn’t know you were a romantic, Kid."
He hummed. "Only for the people who matter most to me." His hand came up to my arm and he squeezed my bicep. "You know I’d go through hell for you, Aidan."