“What about sunscreen?” Dee Kavanagh, Clare’s new mother-in-law, slid a butter knife through the center of a sandwich she’d just made. “That California sun is killer.”

Clare leaned against the kitchen island across from Dee while nervously chewing on the edge of her nail. “I’m not sure we’ll be outside much.”

“Take it anyway,” she replied. Smiling, she lifted a brow and winked. “The Irish tend to burn to a crisp. Rory will be a lobster, and you have a seafood allergy.”

Clare burst out laughing. “Sunscreen it is, then.”

Dee nodded her head and split the sandwich between two plates, handing her one. They took their plates to the breakfast bar on one end of the kitchen and perched on stools as they ate their lunch.

“I have to admit…I’m pretty nervous,” Clare finally said, swallowing the last bite.

“Of course you are. That bastard should have gotten a life sentence. Good behavior, my arse. That fecker stabbed you—and Ace—and now he’s getting a parole hearing? The world’s gone mad.” Dee’s mouth was full as she spoke, so her thick Irish accent was even more garbled than usual, but Clare understood every word.

After almost five years in this family, and being married to Rory for the last year, she’d basically been adopted as one of the Kavanaghs. Dee was like a mother to her, and Clare loved feeling like she truly belonged for the first time. There were no strings, no expectations, no jumping through hoops to prove her worth like she'd once had to do when living in California. They loved her for who she was, and what she was to Rory. That acceptance was one of the greatest gifts she’d ever received in her life.

“Well, I’m certainly going to do everything I can, and hope my testimony will be enough to keep him behind bars.” Clare felt the usual churning in her gut that happened anytime her ex-boyfriend, Travis Creighton, was mentioned.

After he was apprehended four years ago, she’d thought everything was over. She could move on. So, when her attorney called her last week to let her know he was being granted a parole hearing due to his good behavior behind bars, she’d come completely undone. This wasn’t supposed to happen—he’d had enough charges against him to keep him in prison for life. But he had connections in California, and when he was transferred from a New York prison to the west coast, he’d probably pulled the strings necessary to get this chance.

“You’re going to do great, honey,” Dee said, giving her a one-armed hug as she stood and cleared the dishes. “Is Rory on his way home?”

Clare checked her phone, seeing a message on the screen from her husband. “Yep. He just left Ace at Kieran’s.”

They were headed straight to the airport once he got here, leaving their dog with Rory’s younger brother while they were in California. Dee had come by to see them off. Clare was glad she got along so well with her mother-in-law since Dee loved to be involved in everything. Like…everything. All of her children were grown and successful, yet Dee still coddled every one of them, and now their spouses and partners.

“I’ll head out after I say goodbye to him,” Dee mused, wiping down the kitchen counter. “I’m taking Shea for the night, so Kieran and Fiona can have a date night.”

“That’s nice,” Clare replied. “They need it.”

Kieran and Fiona had recently married and he’d adopted her younger sister with special needs, Shea. Fiona had quickly become one of Clare’s closest friends, along with Fiona’s childhood friend, Nora, who was dating Kieran’s twin, Kane. Nora and Kane weren’t around much, trading the Bronx for a high-profile life on the road as Kane competed in mixed martial arts competitions around the world. He’d quickly become one of the best, and so they usually only saw him on holidays or special occasions.

Rory’s other younger siblings, Quinn and Jimmy, were still living their usual bachelor lives, but Clare was sure they'd settle down soon. She couldn't wait because this testosterone driven family needed more women. Casey, Rory's little cousin who'd been raised alongside them like a sister, was doing a semester abroad in London as she finished her bachelor’s degree, and Clare missed her deeply.

“Hey, mhuirnín.” Rory walked into the kitchen with a small duffel bag over his shoulder, dropping it on to the ground to take her in his arms. She melted almost instantly, the tension seeping from her bones as she circled her arms around his neck and buried her face into his long hair. He’d been letting it grow out, and it was so freaking sexy that she’d begged him not to cut it. Deep brown locks shaped his face, darkened by the stubble on his jaw, and just touched the top of his broad, muscular shoulders. He was practically a giant, and she loved every inch of him.

He growled ever so slightly into her ear, then kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now.” She sighed as he let go, his silver eyes fixed on her.

“Good. Everything’s going to be okay. I’m not leaving your side until we’re back in New York,” he replied. “Maybe not even then.”

Clare pushed up on her tiptoes to gently kiss his lips. “I love you.”

“Love you, mhuirnín.” He then turned his attention to greet his mother.

Thirty minutes and many goodbyes later, Clare slid into the taxi next to Rory on their way to the airport. Her stomach rolled as she watched Woodlawn, her home, fly by, knowing in a few hours she’d be back in her old home, her old life.

She’d spent five years trying to leave it in the past, and her testimony at Travis’s parole hearing might be the final step toward ridding herself of her old life for good.

But, if he went free…

Clare shuddered.