Her Obsession (by Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 86

On Home Soil.

Conner

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The wheels hit tarmac with a shudder that rattled teeth and bones alike. The entire flight had been shoulder–to–shoulder, knees digging into ribs, men crammed into every inch of the cabin like sardines in a tin. No one had slept, too much adrenaline, too much blood in the air, too many ghosts in everyone’s heads. When we finally touched down, the sigh that went through the plane wasn’t relief. It was readiness. My men had that look, the one that meant they knew the fight wasn’t over, just shifting ground. Through the small window, I caught the first glint of headlights, dozens of them cutting through the misty grey dawn. Sleek black cars, armoured SUVs, and the silhouettes of men who weren’t just soldiers, they were family. Ma and Pa didn’t do things by halves. They’d sent their own little army, just in case anyone had been foolish enough to follow us across the water.

“Stay sharp,” I said, standing and stretching out legs that felt carved from stone. My voice carried down the length of the cabin, over Matteo crouched in the aisle, with Ari. Over Liam, with Naomi tucked tight under his arm, even as she scowled at him for it. Over Nico, who hadn’t looked up from his laptop in hours. And Sage, my girl, standing ready beside me. The hatch opened and the morning air rushed in, damp and cold and full of home. My boots hit Irish soil, and men in my colours snapped to attention, rifles slung and eyes sharp. Ma and Pa had pulled them from every corner of the county, maybe beyond. This wasn’t just an escort. This was a message. We were home, and no one would touch us on this soil. Men I’d grown up with, broad shoulders and familiar faces, waited at the edge of the strip. My brothers in all but blood. They clapped backs, clasped hands, welcomed not just me but every battered man that stepped off behind me. Even Naomi and Sage got nods of respect.

We spilled into a row of black SUVs, engines humming low against the rolling quiet of the countryside. I slid in last, Sage beside me, Liam and Naomi across, Nico already running his mouth two seats over like nothing had changed.

But my attention wasn’t on them. It was on her. Sage’s eyes never stayed still, darting to the window as we pulled away from the airstrip. Wide, sharp, drinking in the hills and the endless sweep of green like she’d never seen anything like it. Maybe she hadn’t. Her whole life had been shadows, compounds, blood–soaked corridors. Watching her take in the soft beauty of Ireland, the stone walls, the wildflowers, the mist clinging low over the fields put something tight in my chest.

“You like it, little ghost?” I asked, leaning close enough that only she’d hear.

Her head snapped toward me, and for once, she didn’t have a sharp retort ready. A flush crept into her cheeks, pink softening that steel façade. She nodded, almost shy. “It is beautiful.”

That was all she said, but it was enough.

I smirked, brushing my lips against her temple, savouring the way she leaned into me like it was instinct. “Then you’ll love Ma and Pa’s place.”

Because if this was enough to make her blush, she had no idea what was waiting. The land. The house. The family. A fortress wrapped in warmth. The kind of home I’d never thought to share with anyone, until her,

The SUVs rolled up the long gravel drive, tires crunching over stone. It wasn’t an estate, not really, none of that pomp or polish. Just the kind of place that stood the test of time. Vast fields stretched on either side, crops swaying in the morning light. Horses flicked their tails in the stables. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney of the big house at the centre, flanked by smaller cabins scattered across the property where my father’s men bunked. Home.

The doors opened one by one, boots hitting the earth. My chest went tight when I saw them waiting at the top of the drive. Ma, in her apron, arms already crossed, eyes sharp enough to gut a man. Pa beside her, broad as ever, chin high, silence heavy as stone. More of the lads were scattered around them, guns slung casually but ready. I stepped out first, adjusting my jacket, but it didn’t matter. Ma was already storming down the steps, apron fluttering around her like a battle standard. She caught me before I could straighten fully, her hands on my face, tilting it side to side. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” she muttered, thick Irish lilt in every syllable. “You’ve been in the thick again, haven’t ye, boy?” She smacked my cheek lightly, then pressed kisses to both sides before I could answer. Behind her, Pa only extended his hand. I gripped it hard, and he gave one solid shake before stepping back. That was Pa, a man of few words, but when he

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12:51 Mon, Oct 20

On Home Soil.

spoke, you listened.

Ma finally let me go, her eyes snapping over my shoulder. I didn’t even have to turn; I knew who she’d seen.

A

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“Well feckin‘ finally, boy,” she declared, her voice loud enough to carry. A grin split my face as Sage stiffened behind me. Ma wiped her hands on her apron, marched straight past me, and planted herself in front of her. “I’m Brigid,” she said, Irish accent thick as cream. Then her voice softened, her eyes kind but unwavering. “But you call me Ma, okay?”

Before Sage could answer, Ma hauled her into her arms. I braced for it, for Sage to twist away, slip from her grip like smoke, hand already on her blade. My little ghost didn’t do touch, not like this. But instead, she froze. Every muscle stiff, shoulders locked, eyes wide. Then, slowly, like she couldn’t help it, I watched her chest rise on a shaky breath. Her shoulders dropped. She sank into Ma’s hold, just an inch at first, then all the way, letting herself be wrapped tight in something she’d never had.

And that’s when I saw it. A tear. Just one. It cut down her cheek so fast I almost thought I’d imagined it. My ghost, who bled without flinching, who’d faced down death a hundred times with a smirk, was crying in my Ma’s arms. I swallowed hard, my chest tight. Christ. She had no idea what she was in for here. No idea what it meant to be claimed by this family. And I couldn’t wait to watch her find out. To see her learn how it felt to be loved entirely.

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