Fix You (The Irish Rogues #3)

Chapter Twenty-Nine Raphael

H ours after I burst into the suite at the Shelborne, I still remained on the bed with Maeve’s letter in my lap. I don’t know how many times I’d read it. I’d desperately searched its contents to try to find a clue of where she could’ve gone. The reasons behind her departure were very evident, and in my mind, I knew they were valid.

But I couldn’t tell that to my heart.

No, it was broken in two.

Once again, I lowered my eyes to the paper and began to read.

My dearest Rafe,

There is nothing in the world I would rather be than your wife. But the forces against us will not let that be. The selfish part of me wants to say to hell with it and tie your name to mine regardless of the consequences. I could never live with myself if I did that and we lost one of my brothers or yours. Or if my mother was a casualty to this vendetta of Caruso’s. Deep down, I know you couldn’t live with the guilt either.

So as much as it pains me to leave you, I must. I’m disappearing to where you can’t find me. Please don’t try to look for me. Give in to Caruso, and do your duty by marrying Drea. Protect your brothers and my brothers and my mother by doing what we both know is the right thing.

I know it is of little comfort, but I’ll love you until my dying day. One day after all this is behind us, I hope we can see each other again. That we can embrace a friendship.

I love you always,

Maeve

Although I wanted to tear the room apart in a rage, I honored Maeve by keeping my emotions in check. Instead, I just sat there, clinging desperately to the last strands of my sanity.

While I knew what I had to do, there was a part of me that wanted to call Gianni and have him start hunting for her. But I knew that would come with a cost. Caruso had proven that he wasn’t going to back down. After arson and murdering a pet, his next step would be loss of life.

Once again, I had to honor my love for Maeve by doing what she wished.

With dread in my heart, I picked up my phone. When Caruso answered on the second ring, I said only two words before I hung up.

“You win.”