***

( chapter thirty )

Alec and Karon unnerved me. 

I grew increasingly uncomfortable with their stares constantly on me, so once I saw a chance to escape back home; I took it without a second thought. 
I said my goodbyes to Daphne and hauled ass to my front door and closed it behind me with a slam. 

"Keelan?" Mam called from the kitchen, "Is that you m'dear?" 

"Yeah, Mam." I called back, out of breath, "I'm going to shower! Love you!" I called, yanking up my hair up into a messy bun and shuffled up the stairs. 

"Thank god," I sighed happily, shutting my bedroom door behind me. I felt relaxed instantly the moment I entered – my bedroom was my safe space. 
Always had been, always will be. 

I busied myself by getting myself an outfit to change into before locking myself in the bathroom and started filling up the tub. I avoided looking into the mirror as I took off my clothes and threw them into the hamper. 

I sunk down into the water, and closed my eyes; this was probably the best part of my day. A place where I could let out my emotions and don't have to be worried, I'm being closely watched. 

I spent about a hour in the tub, long enough for the water to go cold before I pulled myself out, dried off, and dressed in my sleeping clothes. 

Now it came time for the worst part of my day. 
When I would lay down for the night and my mind would take over. I would think about the boys, that nasty bitch Sang, and leaving Charleston in a fit of tears. 

I sighed heavily and hobbled to my bed and plopped back. 

My arms went underneath my head to support myself as my eyes closed. 

I was faced with memories of me and the boys, mostly Marc. 

God, I missed him so much. 

I fell asleep that night, the heartache of losing them lulling me into an unfulfilling sleep. 

*** 
MARC'S POV 

My knees jolted up and down nervously, observing the unfamiliar area around me cautiously as the man driving the taxi sped down the streets of Tipperary. 

Fuck, I was really here. 

I swallowed harshly and looked down at the phone in my hand. 

Axel and the guys have been messaging me nonstop the moment I told them that I was leaving for Ireland. 

I was taking the first step into winning back my girl. 
I sent another Thank You message to Owen – who had given me Keelan's address before I left. 
I was really here – in Ireland...where Keelan was.
And I knew the others would follow behind me within the next couple of hours.  

Now all I had to do was find her and pray that she would consent to speak to me. 
If she were to even think about forgiving me, I would be the happiest man on god's green earth.

A nervous grin pulled at my lips; anxious on how she would react.

I needed to come up with a game plan. Firstly; I would hit my knees, beg for forgiveness, or fuck; even cry if I needed to.

I desperately needed her forgiveness so I could see her smile at me.
The others could go fuck themselves; I couldn't take being away from her any longer. But the nervousness fuck, I was terrified to face her.

Could I face the ferocious blond without passing out due to her wrath? A huff escaped my lips.

She was more frightening than my mother. Ten times more frightening.

A shiver raced down my spine, but the buzzing of my cell phone distracted me momentarily. I looked down and barely concealed an eye roll when I received yet another text from Owen.

Owen : Expect us to join you soon.

Fuck! That was just what I needed. For the others to fuck up when I was trying to get Keelan back into my life. If they were there...well, she would be less likely to forgive me if they were there.

I expected her to be shooting fire out of her throat as she screamed at us. Not that we — they didn't deserve it.

With another eye roll and a tired sigh, my thumbs flew across the screen of my phone, typing out a reply.

Marc : don't fuck it up. And let me have my time with her before you all screw it up even more. At least give me time to speak with her.

It seems like Owen was waiting for his reply, and he replied immediately.

Owen : We don't plan to 'screw' things up, as you so eloquently put it, Mr. Weiland. We, like you, want to make things right.

A scoff left my lips.

Was he fucking serious?

Marc : Your presence will screw shit up, Owen.

Owen waited a few minutes to reply.

Owen: That may be. But we have to try. 

Marc : I know. But give it a couple days before you call come barreling back into her life. I have Alec and Karon watching over her — and from what they've told me...she's doing better. But we have to watch out for Daphne and Benji, they were close to Keelan's brother and are insanely protective of her. I'm glad she has people looking out for her...but if they find out what we — what you all did; they'll tear you apart before you even lay eyes on her.

Marc : approach will caution.

I couldn't wait to see what would happen if Keelan's friends got a hold of the others. It would be a sight to see.

I leaned back against the seat and let my mind wander.

I wondered what she looked like now. Alec and Karon hadn't sent any pictures of her — and not that I would ask them to. It would be an even more invasive thing to do. I'd already asked them to keep watch over her, to make sure she's safe...and I knew she would be mad as fuck with me when she found out.

Best not to seem more like a stalker than I already was. But I loved her, and I couldn't sleep at night knowing if she was safe or not. I was grateful when I heard Alec and Karon was moving back to Ireland, and it was even better knowing that they were moving to the same town Keelan lives in.

And they owed me a favor, so I soon as I was with Keelan again ( and I hoped I would be ) the favor would be paid in full.

"We've arrived!" The taxi driver announced, pulling to a stop in front of a large cottage home.

My breath caught in my throat.

I was here. Finally!

"Thank you." I gritted out, entirely overwhelmed by my emotions. Time seemed to slowly pass as I paid the taxi driver and grabbed my bags. I had already booked a room at an Inn nearby, but I needed to see her. I just needed to.

My hands held my bags in a death grip as I approached the door.

Oh fuck, this is really happening.

How would she react? Would she toss me out?

A snort left my lips; a little bit too late to be dwelling on these thoughts, ain't it?

Before I knew it, I was standing at the front door.

My fist shook as I raise it and knocked on the door, my heart pounded in my chest.

I didn't have to wait long until I heard her voice.

"Coming!"

Shivers raced down my spine as I heard her accented voice — so beautiful, pure, and sweet.

I've never been so scared in my life.

The door flung open and there she stood.

Keelan.

My heart's going to fall out of my ass.

Her green eyes were open wide with shock as she took me in, her gorgeous blond hair pulled up out of her face.

Her beauty took my breath away.

"Keelan." Her name escaped my lips breathlessly, my hands shook in rhythm to my heart.

Her lips pulled back away from her teeth, and a dark glare was aimed at me - intending murder.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

A/N : I hadn't updated this book in far too long! How have all of you been? Preparing for the holidays??