She didn’t let on that she knew how to julienne a vegetable. It was more fun watching him show her. Since she knew how to cut, she watched the breadth of his shoulders and the muscles in his arm as he moved. The man had a fabulous body.
“Got it?” He stepped back and placed the knife on the cutting board.
Nodding, she added, “Aw, sure look it.”
He shook his head at her Irish slang. He wasn’t sure what that phrase meant, so he just smiled. “Good.” He returned to his spot on the opposite counter—their backs to each other. Pity. She’d appreciate ogling her man-candy.
After vigorous chopping of a mountain of vegetables, Danny confused her for a moment when he asked, “Are you sure?”
It took her a moment to remember he also spoke to the team through his earpiece. She thought she’d mastered holding two conversations at once. That was until she met Danny. He could manage three. One in front of him, one on the phone, and one in his ear.
“We have company.” He didn’t sound happy. After answering the door, he returned with her brother.
“Declan.” She rushed up and hugged her brother. Her heart felt so full with him here. She looked behind him. “Where’s Diana?”
“She’s safe in Boston.”
Confused, she asked, “Then what are you doing here? Not that I’m not glad to see you, but Diana?”
“I’m here for you.”
Her happiness plummeted. She had no idea if he meant to go to Boston with him or if it was finally safe to go home. While she planned to one day go back to Ireland, she hadn’t planned on leaving Danny, just yet.
In her ear, Declan whispered, “There’s plenty I need to say to you. Privately. We’ll speak after everyone goes to bed.”
Unnerved by his request, she said the only thing she dared. “Okay.” The beautiful world she’d enjoyed earlier began to crumble, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Chapter Thirty-Two
After a loud, fun dinner with the team, Danny, Declan, and Moira sat down to chat. Worried about what her brother wanted to speak privately with her about, Moira allowed the two men to speak about her like she wasn’t present. It didn’t matter. Tonight had sealed how close she and Danny were. Yet Declan wasn’t happy—if his facial expressions and tension were any indicators. And why was he being so secretive? It set her on edge.
“Boyle has learned where Moira is, so I’m taking her out of here.” Declan waved his hand to stave off any argument. “I know you do a great job, but if she’s not here when he comes, she’s safe.”
“He’ll find her and then you and Diana. Remember your banking records. It’s just a matter of time.”
“I’ve hired a security team, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Danny looked around. “Where’s this team?”
Her brother looked pained. Or something similar. “They’re with Diana. Just driving back and forth isn’t a problem.”
Based upon Danny’s stupefied expression, he didn’t agree. “What about the others who were in the room whose conversation she overheard? That’s got to be trouble just waiting to happen.”
“I have it on good authority no one suspects a thing.”
“Just who is this good authority?”
Declan seemed reluctant to say, but she wanted to know also—especially if her safety was being put into jeopardy.
“It’s Quinn Murphy, assistant to the Minister. If Donnelly knew anything, Quinn would’ve known.”
Moira watched her brother and Danny go at it as if they were on different sides of her safety. If HIS hadn’t been doing the job pro bono, she’d think he was just trying to hang onto business. She hated to leave the safety she knew, but what her brother said made sense. HIS would take out Boyle when he showed up here looking for her. Best if she wasn’t even near the place when that happened. Less chance of getting caught up in it if the mission went— What did Cowboy call it? Right, FUBAR. She wanted to giggle at the story he’d told in which he’d used the word, but the conversation at hand was too serious and important.
With Quinn confirming everything, her churning gut was put at ease. Cassie’s fiancé would know what happened in that office. Heck, he all but ran the minister in thought and process.
Once HIS took care of Boyle—and she had no doubt they would—and since no one suspected her of earwigging, she was free to resume her life in Ireland. Somehow that didn’t excite her like it once had.
If Danny asked her to stay, would she? She dug deep into her heart and soul for the answer because staying with him wasn’t like staying the night with a guy back home. It’d be serious. And the more serious it became—and it probably would—the less likely she was to see her homeland again. To have drinks with her best friend. To stroll the streets with memories of her parents.
Well, thank goodness she didn’t have to make the choice. He hadn’t asked, and surely, he wouldn’t ask now. They’d just say goodbye, like adults who had a relationship that had run its course. Only theirs hadn’t run its course. Heat still flowed between them.
“Moira?” Declan asked.
As she refocused her attention on the men, she noticed they were staring at her. “What?”
“I called you three times.”
“Oh.” Oops. “What’s wrong?”
“Danny says you have to choose to leave with me. He’s wrong, but tell him you’re coming with me, and once they take care of Boyle, you’re going home.”
Home. It warmed her heart to think of it. But to choose? Normally, she liked being in charge of her destiny, but in this case, she didn’t mind Declan making the decision. Yet they were going to force her to voice it.
She looked at Declan then Danny. The latter looked angry and
