Irish Promises

Chapter Thirty

Stasia 

Three weeks ago...

I head back to my car taking one focused step at a time, attempting to ensure that I don't move to fast, not letting my panic show through because I'm acutely aware of Irvin's eyes on me the whole time. 

Watching me, analysing my every movement, every reaction just like he was when I was seated next to him. 

There was a moment back there where I felt myself falter. 

Felt that familiar tug towards him that's been there ever since Russia lurking in the back of my mind despite trying my hardest to stamp it down. The smoothness in the way he speaks calling to me, sucking me back in and making me question the decisions that I've made. 

A confusing want settled deep inside me that I just couldn't get rid of. 

In truth I nearly let myself get drawn in, nearly let my guard down.

Especially when his body was pressed against mine, when his face was so close at times that I could have easily pressed my lips against his and made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. 

Thrown away everything that I have over him. 

It was so close but then it was something snapped me out of it. 

I don't know what it was but one minute I was sat there with him, my skin tingling from the closeness of his body next to mine. Flutters erupting in my stomach every time he brushed his fingers over my back with the slightest of touches. 

But then the next thing I knew it was like I was seeing him for who he really was. 

The over praising, the gentle but purposeful touches he's made. All of it too perfect, too structured. 

All of it too much. 

None of it natural like it is with the brothers. Like it was with Blake and Hugh in the morning.

His words of praise and false comfort not seeping in to me and settling inside me the way they did with Finn on the phone. 

None of it felt right. 

Suddenly it was like where I'd previously felt a sense of comfort around him, that seemed to dissipate and be replaced by nothing but unease. 

Cian's words playing over and over in my head. 

'He brought you in a trade for weapons' 

'Not everyone is as good as they seem' 

'Don't let him get too close'

The latter being exactly what I've let him do. I've let him get close, let him into my head, I've fucking let him manipulate me. 

Just like they said he was. 

Suddenly it was like every single part of me was screaming that something was off, that something about Irvin is very very wrong. I could literally hear Cian in my head telling me not to trust anything about him. Not to let my guard down anymore than I had done already. 

It was for that exact reason that I forced myself to keep my exposure. Forced myself to suck in breaths every time his fingers brushed against me, forced myself to look longingly into his eyes like there was a battle raging in my head. 

Which wasn't exactly fake. 

There was a battle raging inside my head. One where I was battling against running out of there as quickly as I could or going along with whatever game he was playing. 

I chose the latter. 

By the time I get to my car and drive away I'm a wreck. 

The realisation that he's played me like a fiddle hitting me hard. 

I'd been so stupid to trust that when he said he wanted friendship stupid enough to think he was actually being truthful. I'd almost let him come between me and the brothers on more than one occasion because I wanted to see the best in him. Trust that he wasn't out to hurt me or them. 

But now I realise that isn't the case at all. 

I go to call Finn, needing to hear his reassuring voice but I stop myself. Knowing that his reaction will be bad, likely to be the same with Blake and Cian too. 

They'll be furious that he managed to get me alone and I know an explosion will not be good for any of us right now. 

Despite being hooked in by Irvin I haven't been naive enough to think that he's not a very powerful man. That much I've known all along and I now know that if he's been scheming, then the brothers are going to be a part of that scheme. 

I refuse to let them be hurt. 

Something I've always stuck to from the beginning. 

So instead of contacting them I call Hugh, deciding to go to him. Something inside me telling me he will have the most level reaction. 

Months ago if someone had told me that Hugh would be the one I would go to at a time like this, I would have laughed in their face but as I call his number and his voice fills my car I know that I've without a doubt made the right decision. 

"Hugh I need to see you, I need to talk to you. You were right, you were all right" I blurt out, each word coming out as rushed as the last one. 

"Anastasia what's happened?" he asks his tone harsh but I know it's not directed towards me.

It comes from a place of worry because unlike Irvin, this man actually cares about and loves me. 

They all do and fuck if that doesn't hit me hard. 

I go on to tell him how Irvin tricked me into having lunch with him, how I know there's something more going on, how I don't trust him any more. The whole time Hugh listens, he doesn't interrupt me. He lets me speak, lets me ramble on about how stupid I've been. How much of an idiot I feel like for letting him get inside my head. 

How I nearly let everything be destroyed. 

He only cuts in when my voices cracks and tears start to well in my eyes. 

"Anastasia I'm going to send you an address, I want you to go straight there and wait for me okay?" he says, his voice soft and void of any anger despite what I've just told him.

That just has a sob tearing itself up my throat. 

"Hey listen to me, you've done nothing wrong, I'm not angry with you and I'm glad you've come to me" he says his voice still soft and resuring. "We're going to deal with this together okay, just take a breath and go to the address I send you. Don't contact the other until I've seen you"

"Okay" I manage to whimper out taking a deep breath just like he's told me too. 

"I'll see you soon and feather just remember I love you" he then says causing my heart to expand almost painfully. 

Those three words meaning absolutely everything to me right now.