A few dim lights were on in the clubhouse bar when Chibs and Happy arrived, and the only sounds were the low rhythmic hum of the refrigerators and Bobby's snores from where he was passed out on one of the couches. Happy pulled a beer from the cooler. "Want one?" he offered to Chibs in his gravelly voice.
"After I check on my ol-my lass," Chibs replied, his heart clutching a little. He'd killed for her tonight, but he wasn't sure she was still his old lady. Happy nodded and took a long drink from his bottle.
Chibs opened his door slowly to keep it from creaking and shut it behind him with the same care. His bedside reading lamp was on, illuminating Aoife's face, troubled even in sleep. He could read the stress of the last few days in the frown and furrowed brow that marred her features. Her tossing and turning had twisted up the sheets and quilt around her, and at some point she had kicked another blanket off the bed. "Oh, my sweet lass," he breathed as he sat down on the bed, his back against her waist. His calloused fingers ghosted over her brow and the side of her face before settling on her cheek. She turned her cheek further into his hand and murmured in her sleep. Chibs stared down at her, his thumb daring to caress her skin.
The rap at the door was almost inaudible. Chibs rose reluctantly and cracked the door. Hap rasped, "Sorry to disturb. You give me your tank and I'll take care of burning everything before I turn in for the night."
"Thanks, brother." Chibs stepped into the hallway, closing the door. While Hap waited, he stripped off his cut, shirt, and bloody tank.
Hap accepted the balled-up tank top "It's gonna be ok, you know. We're going to convince that asshole to come here. Then you can cut him into a thousand pieces for what he's done."
Chibs' eyes misted slightly with gratitude. "Thank you, brother."
"Anytime." Hap pointed his chin at the new ink that Chibs' tank top had hidden. "Your old lady see that yet? What'd she think?"
"Not yet. This shit with Fiona fucked things up."
"Let me know what she thinks. Like my work to be appreciated. I'll be heading back to Tacoma later today, but we'll keep in touch."
Back inside the room, Chibs pulled a black t-shirt on and shucked his boots and jeans. He put his pillow under his arm and tossed a blanket over his shoulder. His hand was on the doorknob when her voice stopped him. "Filip?" Aoife blinked at him as if she was still trying to figure out what was real and what was a dream.
"Aye, lass. I was just going to go make myself a bed on the couch."
"No, don't go. Come here," she whispered. He set the blanket and pillow on the end of the bed and reclaimed his earlier seat. "Did you find them?" She asked, her voice tense.
"We found them. They'll not bother you ever again."
"You killed them?" she asked. Chibs considered her tone: he didn't hear fear. The sound was more like hope.
"Aye," he confirmed. She closed her eyes, exhaled, and a ghost of a smile moved her lips.
"Oh, thank God," she said.
"I hate to say this, but it ain't over yet, a chuisle. Finnbar sent them. We know for sure now." She stared at him. "Hear me out through this next bit. Hap called him back. Convinced Finnbar to back off by promising that when things die down here in Charming, Hap will bring Finnbar here and hand you over to him." Chibs cupped Aoife's face with his hands. "That's not how it's going to go down. I'll take care of Finnbar when he comes. You know that I won't let anything actually happen to you. I swear it on my life."
"We," Aoife corrected. "We will take care of Finnbar when he comes."
Chibs grinned at her. "Alright then. We," he repeated.
Aoife sat up and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. "You don't have to sleep on the couch. Come to bed. Hold me."
"You sure? I assumed you'd still be mad at me."
Her arms were around his neck now. "I am still mad at you. But I'm starting to forgive you, and, God help me, I feel safer in your arms than anywhere else." Chibs pulled her close, burying his face in her hair.
"I will keep you safe, my lass. Always."