Page 52 of Guarding Salvation

Stopping the bike, he helped her off the back and retrieved the rucksack from the compartment under the seat.

“We need to walk from here.”

Grabbing her hand, they set off through the woods, with Bram pointing out different tracks in the mud. Showing her which berries she could eat safely and even finding some mushrooms which were safe to eat, that he bagged up to take back for Mrs Murrel.

“You love it here, don’t you?”

Bram looked ahead of him over the expanse of land that fell off into a valley on the left, the trees thinning now as they left the safety of the woods. “I do and I don’t. I love the nature, the history, the freedom, but I hate the expectation. I wasn’t built to be a Laird of the manor. I do what I do with Shadow because I’m good at it and because I love it.” He glanced at her and seemed to be steeling himself to say something. “I don’t want you getting the wrong idea about me, Aoife. I’m not a good man, not in the true sense.”

Aoife stilled as he kept walking for a few steps, before turning back to her. “What does that even mean?”

“It means I’ve killed people and will again.”

Aoife took a step back as Bram stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “Not you, Aoife. I’d never harm a hair on your head, but the job I do, the people we go after are evil, and the world is a better place without them in it. I have no trouble ending them to keep good people safe and untouched by the horrors of the world.”

Aoife felt herself relax at his words. “I understand that, Bram. I won’t pretend to know what you do, but I get why you do it. So many people believe that life is black and white, but it isn’t. It’s radiant colour and shades of grey. There’ll always be a need for pure people who uphold the law, but without men and women like you and the others from Shadow, they couldn’t do that. You keep the monsters at bay so we can all sleep easy.”

She walked toward him, laying her hands on his chest as he embraced her. “How did I get so lucky as to find you?”

“I think I found you, mister.”

“Whatever, but thank you for getting me, for understanding me.”

“You may not see yourself as good, Bram, but I’ve seen people pretend to be good who have the blackest souls and you don’t pretend. Your heart is pure, and I know every life you take is for a reason. In my book that makes you purer than any fake do-gooder.”

Bram kissed her and it was slow and deep, and she knew she was falling in love with this complex man who thought he was bad but hid a heart of pure gold.

He took her hand and they continued walking, Bram occasionally looking to the skyline where clouds had begun to gather. “We won’t be able to stay as long as I’d hoped. A storm is rolling in.”

“That’s okay, it’s just nice to get out and enjoy the air.”

They walked for a bit more, the land opening up in front of them as the trees thinned. The rushing sound of water told her they were close to a river. They rounded a corner and Aoife’s breath escaped her. A large reservoir or lake was backed up against the mountainside and the rushing of a waterfall, tipping over the side into the lake, was exposed.

It was stunning and she wished had a camera so she could capture the vista before her. “Oh wow, it’s magnificent.” Bram, who must have seen it a hundred times growing up, seemed equally inspired by the sight before them. “This place is a gift. You have no idea how lucky you are to have this on your doorstep.”

“I do, which is why I know it’s safer with Lana and Rory. I break things, Irish. I drop the ball on everything and I couldn’t let it happen with this place.”

Aoife hated that he didn’t see himself for the man she knew he was, but she also realised that it wasn’t something he’d hear if she told him. He’d need to learn that by himself, she just wished she knew how to help him see it.

They spent the morning and into the early afternoon by the water, eating the still warm breakfast rolls Bram had made and drinking hot chocolate to keep the chill out.

As they walked back to the quad bike, the rain began to fall, the sky darkening, but none of that could take away the enjoyment of the morning they’d spent together.

“Thank you for showing me this place.”

Bram twined his fingers with hers. “We should come back in the summer when we can swim without getting frostbite.”

Inside Aoife was screaming with excitement that he thought they’d still be together in the summer. Lost in thought she didn’t see the tree stump and tripped, turning her ankle as Bram saved her from actually falling. Crying out in pain, she went to put weight on her left foot and winced as agony shot through her ankle and knee, all the way to her hip.

“Jesus, Aoife, are you okay?”

“I think I sprained my ankle or knee they both hurt like hell.”

“Here, sit down let me take a look.”

Bram helped her sit on a fallen tree stump and rolled her trouser leg up so he could see it. She didn’t need a doctor to tell her she’d sprained her ankle and her knee had some swelling too; she’d had enough broken bones in her time to know it wasn’t broken. The rain was coming down heavy now, soaking them through the gaps in the trees and making her shiver.

“It’s just a sprain.” Bram looked at her with a thunderous expression, so she relented. “Fine, have a look.”