by Shyla Colt
“Are you busy?”
“You know weekdays are fairly slow.” He wrapped an arm around her waist.
She allowed herself a moment to enjoy his warmth and strength. He smelled like the outdoors and the air in Ireland.
“I wasn’t sure I’d see you so soon after the other night.”
Me either. “Yeah, I didn’t want to leave that as our last memory.”
“So I didn’t do anything wrong?” he asked.
“Oh, my goodness, not at all. I really did have an emergency.”
“That’s a relief.” He stepped closer.
Unconsciously, she took a half step back. He was broad shouldered, rugged, and handsome. She could recognize this because she wasn’t dead, but it did nothing more than make her smile. “I did want to come and talk to you. I know things between us have been moving in the direction of something more serious. But that’s going to stop now because I’m with Enzo.”
“When did this happen?”
“Last night.”
“And you think it’ll stick?” he asked, stepping closer.
She countered with a move until her back hit the wall. His arms rested on either side of her head. Her mouth went dry, and her heart rate increased. She’d never seen a hint of this side from him. “What are you doing, Keir?”
“Showing you why you’re making a mistake. I saw the way he let you down a few months ago. You were heart broken. Do you want to chance that a second time?”
“Things between us are complicated, Keir.”
“And they aren’t between us because we work,” he said. His brown eyes stared a hole into her.
“Don’t do this. You’re a good friend. I don’t want to lose you.”
“For everything you say, there’s not ring on your finger. That means I still have a chance.”
She placed her hands on his chest and gave him a gentle push. “No, you haven’t.”
“Are you trying to convince yourself or me?”
“There’s no convincing necessary. We have a bond, I’ll admit it. But we come from the same place and have tons in common.”
“I know you in a way he never can.”
She frowned. “And how’s that, Keir?”
“You think you’re the only one whose father was aligned with the IRA?”
The words made her blood run cold. “Why are you talking about this?”
“Because it’s important to remember where you come from, and who helped shape you.”
Suddenly uneasy, she squirmed her way out of his body blockade. “That was the past, and I was a child.”
“Things have a way of following you,” he said.
The haunted expression on his face made her stomach turn. Did the IRA send him? The air left her lungs, and she stumbled from the shop. What could they possibly want with Mom and me? I shouldn’t read too much into the words of a wounded man. Pride was a dangerous thing; when threatened, a man could lash out as good as any catty female. RIP to that friendship.
PAST
“My girl, there are few things more dangerous than a man whose pride has been wounded,” her father said.
“Why’s that, Da?” she asked, watching as he replaced a paper target.
“Because we like to dominate and control. You’ve got a smart mouth like your father. Which is why we’re out here once a week making sure your aim is true. When you get old enough, my love, you are going to break hearts. And if I’m not there to break their faces, and put my boot up their ass when they need it ... you need to be able to take care of yourself.”
She smiled, unsure of what he saw when he looked at her. Certainly not the same image she saw in the mirror. At fifteen, she was all bones, with no arse or breasts to speak of. She looked more like a bloke than a bird and the boys didn’t let her forget it. She’d grown up with them and now, she seemed perpetually stuck in the ‘one of the guys’ zone.
“Aibhlinn.” His tone was terse.
She focused her attention on him.
“I need you to pay attention, yes?”
“Sure, Da,” she said, confused. She knew how to shoot, they’d been priming her since she was twelve.
“I need to know you can hold your own. Things are picking up around here.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
He walked toward her and placed hand on her shoulder. “One day, it may just be you and your ma. I want to be sure you two can fend for yourselves.”
The finality in his tone frightened her. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no. Just looking out for my family. Life here can be hazardous to one’s health. So pay close attention now for me, my girl, yeah?”
She nodded her head, feeling stunned. The thought of life without her da was a foreign concept. Sobered, she focused in on his words, and directions.
“I want you to unload this entire clip without hesitation.”
“Then how will I know if I’m accurate?”
“You don’t always have time to brace yourself and aim,” he said. His words were clipped and his voice was gruff. It was the attitude he usually reserved for his men in arms.
She stood straighter and nodded.
“Good girl. Aim. Fire. Again. Again.”
She’d built a pile of brass in the field as she shot targets full of holes. The whole thing smacked of a desperation she didn’t understand. The Army took care of their own. What was he so afraid of?
PRESENT
She hadn’t understood then that shit was about to go to hell in a handbasket. A power play was in motion. Which meant cleaning house and taking out those who would protest the upheaval. He’d been killed by the very people he’d trusted most. It’d been a harsh life lesson. Not everyone who makes nice and smiles in your face is your friend. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she got into the car, overwhelmed by the events piling up on top of her.
Chapter Ten
M’fhiorghra (Meer-Grah): my true love (literal translation of the soulmate concept)
A Chuisle (Uh Khush-leh): pulse
Leanbh (Lan-uv): child
Enzo
“I’ve officially turned into a fucking pussy,” he muttered, watching the telephone. He hadn’t heard a word from Aibhlinn since yesterday.
Aoife peered up at him as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’
“Girls, they’ll drive a man insane, Aoife. Let’s hope you’re easier to read.”
The phone rang, but the name that popped up was Snake.
“Hello,” he said, trying to keep the worry from his voice.
“Hey, man, Pres says we’re good to go on this. You been good to us, and what you’re trying to do here is a good thing.”
He released a sigh of relief. “Thank you. If you need something after this, I’m your man.”
“Just keep inking us. I’m on my way to your place if you’re available. I got some information on that situation you mentioned the other day,” Snake said.
“Yeah, I’m here. Just come on by.”
“Be there in ten.” Snake disconnected
Enzo then peered over at the little girl, entranced with the baby gym she was toying with. This would be the defining moment. He scooted down onto the floor beside her. “Maybe you can be my payment for wading through ankle-high sewage growing up. What do you think about that?” he asked softly. She was spotless. A pure soul that seemed to be offered up to him. “I just know that taking care of you is what I’m supposed to do.” He ran the tip of his index finger over her tiny digits.
A knock came at the door. Showtime. He hurried to the door, ready to hear the verdict. “Hey, man, thanks for coming over,” Enzo said.
“Didn’t want to talk over the phone. Cops always have a hard on for us. We never know when the lines are clear.”
“Hell of a way to live,” Enzo said.
Snake shrugged. “You get used to it.” He glanced down. “Look at her. She’s doing well.”
“Yeah, man, she’s a trooper,” Enzo rep
lied, unable to hide the pride he felt.
“We found the mom. She was discovered in the forest last night. They said she’d been dead for two hours.”
“Shit. What was the cause?”
“H, man.”
“Shit, heroine?” Enzo asked.
“Yeah, it’s rampant. Cops didn’t give a shit when it was just homeless, thieving junkies, but it’s moving into the middle class, and rich kids. Motherfuckers are shooting up and crashing their cars with their kids in the back.” Snake shook his head. “I don’t get what would possess someone to even try the shit. It’s bad news.”
He blinked, trying to process. They’d both lost their mother to heroine in the same woods. “Are they looking for Aoife?”
“No. They suspect she’d given birth less than three months ago, but they have no records. All this shit must’ve been under the table. Maybe it was a john’s or she went to a free clinic and used a false name. Can’t say. Junkies don’t think rationally.”
“Understatement,” Enzo said.
“It’s sad, but good for you. We can move ahead with the paperwork if your mind is still set.”
“One hundred percent committed,” Enzo stated without hesitation.
“I’ll get it worked out. Here.” He handed Enzo a few pages of paper. “This is all the info you’ll need on Margaret Simpson, aka Maggie. She’s claiming Aoife. It’s her rights that’ve been signed away, and we’ve backed it up with a midwife who’s a friend of the club. The paper trail is tight as a drum. I’ll be sending you a manila envelope full of shit, such as Aoife’s date of birth, but first we need to get her to the doctor and test her for blood types, and all that other good shit.”
“When?” he asked.
“Now ... if you want this wrapped up this weekend. We have a clinic that turns a blind eye.”
The power the club had to wield stunned him. “Let me, uh, get her ready to go.”
“Fuckin’ Mr. Dad over here. Where’s the old lady?” Snake inquired.
“Still deciding.”
“She going to be a problem?”
“No. She can keep her mouth shut. It’s being involved firsthand that has her questioning things.”
He nodded his head. “She has to be all in or all out. No half stepping in this.”
“She knows,” he said, hell bent on defending her. The club didn’t do loose ends.
“Make sure.”
“She grew up in Belfast. Her father had ties. She knows the life.”
Snake visually relaxed. “Good. Get your things and we’ll drive out. You can follow me in your car.”
Pure joy washed over him. She’s mine.
“CUTE KID, MAN, WHAT’S her name?” Rhys asked as he walked inside the room. He chucked Aoife under the chin and Enzo bounced her on his hip.
“Aoife.”
“Pretty name. Whose is she?”
“Mine.”
Rhys coughed. “S-say what?”
“That’s why I called you over. You’re the only one I trust with this.”
“Whatever you need, brother. You’ve always been there for me. Shit, if you hadn’t covered my ass growing up I might not be here because Mom and Dad would’ve killed me.”
Enzo snickered. “I fucked up. I was partying over at the club house and I knocked up one of the chicks.”
“What? You always wrap up.”
“Nothing’s infallible.”
“Shit. So, what are you going to do?”
“The girl didn’t want her. Said it cramped her style. She signed the rights over to me.”
“Holy fuck! So you’re like a Dad-Dad now.”
He nodded his head.
“I don’t know if Mom is going to kiss you or kill you,” Rhys remarked.
“I imagine she’ll try to do both,” Enzo said.
Rhys laughed. “You’re okay with this?”
“Man, I have a chance to give her everything we didn’t have. How can I not be happy?”
“You were never really the type to settle down, Enzo.”
“I been working on that. Seeing a doc, dealing with the fucked up shit that happened to me.”
“I didn’t realize you were having a tough time,” Rhys said.
“The shit I’ve been doing, sleeping around, never getting too serious, and breaking Aibhlinn’s heart.” He shook his head. “It wasn’t normal or what I wanted to do. Commitment made me break out in hives, even when it was with the most amazing woman in the world.”
“And now?”
“Now, I have a handle on my shit. I’m not fixed, not by any means. But I’m trying, and she’s always been patient. I have too much now to lose. I won’t let either of my girls down.”
“Girls? Aibhlinn’s okay with this?” Rhys questioned.
“Not sure yet. She was there when I found out. Said she needed some time. I fucked up so bad there.”
“What did you do?”
“I asked her to marry me.”
Rhys’ jaw dropped. “You’re a fucking idiot.”
“I know. No ring, no plan, no romance.” He shook his head. “I’m shocked she didn’t tell me no, straight up.”
“What did she say?”
“To give her time. It’s been two days, man. I’m about to climb the wall.”
“How’re you going to get your ass out of this hot seat?” Rhys asked.
“I have a plan, and you’re going to help me. She never could resist you.”
“Fuck that, I don’t want to be in firing range.”
“Didn’t you just say you owed me?” Enzo said.
He laughed. “I didn’t think you wanted me to pay with my life!”
“Fucking pussying out at me?”
“Just pitch me your plan, and I’ll decide from there,” Rhys said.
He sank down onto the couch, balancing Aoife on his knee, and explained everything to his brother.
Rhys beamed. “You sure you want to do this, brother? Space usually means staying away from someone.”
“Fuck that, she’s had enough distance. She needs to see the upside of things. I know this woman better than anyone else. Right now, she’s stuck in her head.”
“All right, I’ll get her here. How long do you need?”
The jewelry case in his pocket almost burned him. “Give me an hour.”
Rhys nodded. “Okay, man. It’s not a secret I consider her my sister. It’d be nice to make that official.”
“You get her here, and I promise you I’ll take care of the rest.”
Rhys stood and moved toward the door.
He’d picked his baby brother for a reason. Silas would grill him and make him weigh pros and cons. Rhys was more of a go with the flow type. “By the way, you’re on babysitter duty tonight,” he called out to his brother.
“Good, me and Aoife will cruise for chicks. They love a man who cares for babies.”
“Hey, don’t use my daughter to arrange booty calls.”
“I thought that was part of being a single uncle on the prowl,” Rhys called back over his shoulder.
“Welcome to your crazy family, little girl,” Enzo said. He locked the door behind his brother, grabbed the baby carrier, slipped her inside, tightened the straps, and headed for the backyard. It’s time to bring my woman home.
Aibhlinn
“Are you planning on hiding out indefinitely?” Sophia asked as she worked the clay on her wheel. She had a small studio set up in her spare bedroom.
“No.”
“So, you’ve just been crashing here because you want to relive our college roommate days?”
“Maybe.”
Sophia looked skeptical. “Girl, denial is more than a river in Egypt.”
“You’re not helping.”
“My job is to give you the truth, not to stroke your ego. Besides, you know I’m right on this one.”
Aibhlinn sighed. “Yeah, I know. But I’m out of my element.”
“Why?”
Because I know how bad situation
s can ruin your life. “Worried about making the wrong choice.”
“And if you don’t make a choice? Then what? You want him to move on with someone else and set up a home?”
The thought of Enzo married to someone else made her sick to her stomach. “No.”
“Then there’s nothing else to think about. You know I haven’t always been a fan of Enzo. But he’s turned his shit around. Finally, you two can meet in the middle and start on your happy ever after. Don’t let fear fuck with that. So many people are searching for what’s been right in front of you. You need to talk with him and hash it out. You cut your ties with Keir and cleared your head, now go get your man.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Aibhlinn said.
“It is. I don’t get your hang up.”
Aibhlinn shook her head. Maybe Enzo wasn’t the only one with commitment issues. All this time, I thought I was waiting on him. Her phone rang and she groaned at the name that appeared.
“What’s up?” Sophia asked.
“It’s Keir.”
“Didn’t you send boy wonder packing?”
“Yes, but he’s persistent.”
“I bet Enz will love that,” Sophia said with an evil smirk.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“What? I never said he wasn’t hot, and when his temper flares and his muscles flex. Yumm. I know he’s yours, but a girl can admire from a distance.”
Aibhlinn giggled. “We need to get you out on more dates.”
“Easier said than done, believe me,” Sophia muttered.
“We’ve both been buried neck deep in our work for the past few years. It’s left much to be desired in other areas.”
“You’re right,” Sophia said. The wheel stopped spinning and she shook her hand, slopping off the clay. “Let’s get the hell out of here and do something fun.”
Aibhlinn stared at her. “Are you feeling okay?”
“No, I’m on the verge of a mid-life crisis. I’m not where I wanted to be in my mid-thirties, and it’s making me question everything. Work is all I know. Art is my passion, but it’s also my safe place. I need to break away from it, or it’ll kill my love for it.”
