The Assassin's Blood: The Confradia Assassins 3

Chapter 32: Change the rules

Santana

"Wake up, sleepyhead." I blink my eyes open to see my brother sitting next to me on the bed. "Hey? How did I get here?" I gaze down at my blanket-covered body, confused. Connor takes my hand and leans close to me with a proud grin. "We're back in Priest's garage. Declan carried you up here and tucked you into the bed." I bite my lip and take a deep breath. "How long have I been asleep?" Connor smirks. "Almost two days, Sleeping Beauty. Priest said to let you sleep. The drug that crazy old witch gave you was still metabolizing through your system. Declan and Priest told me you were a total badass. That they didn't have to save you because you were about to break out of that place on your own."

Sliding up on the bed, I lean back on the headboard with a bemused sigh. "Yeah, it was scary, but I didn't have a choice." Connor's lip quirks. "I'm so glad you're safe, sis. I don't know what I'd do without you." He looks so serious. And I know he means it because I feel the same way. Reaching forward, I pull him next to me on the bed and lean my head on his shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do without you, either little brother. I was terrified when I thought Perroni had killed you." Connor wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. "They just grazed my shoulder." He opens the collar of his shirt and shows me the already healing scratch on his shoulder. "See? It's already healing. Your face is healing too." I touch my tender cheek and eye. It doesn't feel swollen anymore.

"Where's everyone?" I ask with a casual tone. Connor snickers. "You mean, where's Declan? He's here. We've both been taking turns watching over you. The poor guy hasn't slept since we got here. I don't know how he's even able to function. He almost bit Priest's head off when he told him to get some sleep. We've been giving him a wide berth since." My heart accelerates with pleasure at his words. I know that Declan is being protective, but a small part of me can't help but hope that it's more.

Connor and I both look up when the bedroom door opens. Declan walks in, looking fresh in blue jeans and a white sweatshirt. His hair is tousled, and his eyes are a bit swollen, but he looks as handsome as ever. His cobalt eyes light up when he sees me. "Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?" I shrug my shoulders in reply. "I'm fine. Maybe a little hungry, but fine otherwise." Connor rises from the bed with an enthusiastic chuckle. "I can take care of the hunger part. I'll be back." Before I can say another word, he rushes out the door. Declan watches my brother disappear through the door with a perturbed frown then turns back to me. "Jesus! That kid never runs out of energy, does he?"

A chuckle escapes my lips at his amazement. "Connor is definitely in a league of his own." Declan looks down at his feet then back at me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he looks nervous.

Licking my lips, I lift my knees to my chest, wrap my arms around them and take a deep breath. "What are you?" I ask the question that has been niggling in the back of my mind since she showed up at the mansion. His brow quirks, but he maintains an even expression. "What do you mean?" Puffing out a breath, I throw back the covers and rise from the bed. "Wow," I mutter out in disbelief. "Are we really going to play this game, Declan? Well, let me break it down for you…" I raise my hand and tally with my fingers. "You kicked Perroni's men's asses without breaking a sweat. Somehow you and Priest managed to find me. And when you did find me, you both came in guns blazing. You both single-handedly killed every guard in the mansion, and last but not least, you had a team pick up all the girls. Now, I would say your military experience might account for some of it, but it just doesn't fit. So what are you?" Declan bites his bottom lip and moves closer to me, putting us chest-to-chest. His Adam's apple bobs nervously. At first, I don't think he's going to answer me, but then, he speaks. "Okay, here goes. I work for a government organization of Assassins. My organization specializes in high-priority cases involving men, or women in some cases; that have done atrocious things but are able to escape justice because they're wealthy and connected."

I'm shocked speechless. At first, I think Declan's playing some kind of trick on me, but the sober look on his face tells me otherwise. Breath hitching, I lick my lips and ask. "You're not lying, are you?" Declan shakes his head with a somber frown and tightens his fists. I can tell that he wants to touch me, but he's unsure of whether I'd be receptive. Releasing a breath, I nod my head in realization.

"It all makes sense now," I mutter, licking my dry lips. "I understand now why you don't want Connor in your life. You want to protect him─and me." I end in a shaky whisper.

Tears gather in my eyes, and my lips tremble at his soulful admission. "Then why did you let us go?" Declan slides his fingers through his hair with an agitated huff, then slaps it down against his thigh. "Do you think it was easy for me, Santana?" Every part of me hated the thought of letting both of you go. It tore me apart. Especially after we made love. I knew nothing could ever feel that amazing─that no other woman would compare to you. You're brave and strong. And Connor is so smart and good. He's the brother I always wanted. The truth is, I love you. I love both of you, and I don't think I can let you go again. I want you to stay." His eyes plead as he takes me in his arms and gently kisses my lips. "Please, stay with me."

His heavy-lidded eyes call to me as he rests another gentle kiss on my lips and tightens his hands around my waist. Every part of me is vibrating with emotion. I think that if Declan hadn't been holding onto me, I'd be floating away. Fear and elation war inside my mind. Fear because I'm scared I might be dreaming, and elation because I feel the same way. Placing my hands around his neck, I slide my fingers through his hair and gently bite down on his lower lip. "Yes," I mutter with a sigh. "We'll stay. I…I love you too." My heart hammers in my chest when his smile widens with joy. "Really?" He mutters softly.

"Yes, but there are a few conditions?" Declan pulls back with a disconcerted frown. "What conditions?" Bemused by his wary words, I kiss his lips again and whisper. "Not that you're asking or anything, but I don't want to get married or have kids. At least, not for a few years," I reply quickly when his face falls. "I also don't want you to take care of me. I want to work and finish school. Considering how expensive your car is, I probably won't make as much as you, but I want us to be as equal as we can be in our relationship." Declan's lips quirks with pride. "Okay, but you have to let me take on some of the responsibility while you're in school. Just consider it some form of child support for all the money I didn't spend on Connor all of these years."

A chuckle escapes my lips. "Connor's not your son, he's your brother," I reply. Declan shrugs. "It doesn't matter. He's also your brother. Yet, you took care of him all of these years, and now it's my turn."

"Okay," I reply. Our lips meet again. This time in a deep, delicious swirl. We're both so involved in our make-out session that we don't hear Connor walk in and clear his throat. "…seriously guys. So not cool to see you both making out. Gross!" Declan and I break apart, embarrassed to be caught kissing. "Connor?" I wipe my lip with a freaked out squeal. "It's…we…." Connor holds up his hand in a halting fashion and gives me a wide smile. "It's okay, sis. I know you two are in love and I'm cool with it. Declan and I talked before he spoke to you." I sputter while Declan remains calm. Men!

"Listen, Connor, Declan asked us to stay with him permanently. And I told him we would. Is that okay?" Connor nods enthusiastically. "Sure. I guess that means that I can accept Priest's job offer." My gaze snaps to Declan, then back to Connor. "What? You mean, work for the same company Declan and Priest work for?" Connor and Declan shake their heads and hold their hands up in surrender. "No, not like that, San," Declan replies. "He wouldn't be doing the same thing we do. He'd just be our tech support─no fieldwork." Relief swamps me. I mean, I know it's not my call, but I don't think I could handle it if my brother had to kill people too.

"Okay. I know it's not my place to tell you what to do with your life, but you have to understand I couldn't bear it if you got hurt again." Connor's lips twist with chagrin. "I know, San. That's why I refused the offer the first time. But I'm eighteen now, and it's time I grow up. I don't want you to worry though, I'm still going to College. The company will pay for the whole thing while I work, which is one less burden we have to worry about. I'm also going to start pulling my weight at home." He waves a hand at Declan. "Like I said, Declan and I spoke earlier, and I agreed to move into his house if you agreed to stay with him too."

I glance back at Declan, who is smiling with approval. "I guess we're all going to be living together. Just remember you asked for it. Connor's a slob." Connor places his palm on his chest with an affronted scowl. "What? Me? No. Geez, you leave a few dirty dishes and some dirty laundry laying around a few hundred times, and you're labeled a slob for life. Where's the justice in that?" Declan and I both roll our eyes at his fake outrage, then pull him into our embrace. We're a family now.