Thug: The Doyles: A Boston Irish Mafia Romance

by Sophie Austin

  For just a second, I see a hint of kindness, a flash of emotion, some real reaction. But then he’s back to the polished façade of James Carney.

  “Siobhan, you are the most beautiful bride that I have ever seen. Don’t tell your mother.”

  For just a second, I wonder if my parents’ wedding day was happy or if it was fraught with complexity.

  The same perhaps can be said about me.

  My life has not been the same since I met Kieran Doyle. Not for a single day. But then, I never could have predicted that a winding road could bring two children of Boston’s oldest Irish families together.

  We couldn’t be more different.

  Fire and ice.

  Sun and stars.

  Elegance and explosions.

  And yet I knew that from the first time I laid eyes on that man, things could never have turned out any differently than they did. With his wild hair and his beautiful eyes and the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met.

  The courage to do hard things that others judge.

  And the courage to do the right thing even when it could cost everything.

  What more could a woman want?

  “Well, honey, if you’re really going to do this we should probably get started before there’s a fistfight.” My father flashes a megawatt grin.

  It’s not the wholehearted acceptance I would love to see, but I take it for the peace offering it is. I slide my arm through his and descend the stairs to the ballroom where my future waits.

  The ballroom is packed with guests, and I register familiar faces. Ignoring the flash of cameras, my eyes are locked on the handsome man standing at the end of a rose strewn aisle.

  It’s like a beacon at the end of a long dark road.

  Kieran fills the lines of his tuxedo just as well as I expected. He has tried to get that wild hair under control, and I can tell from the flush on his handsome face he’s nervous. But the raw joy and emotion that crosses his face when our eyes lock confirms we’re making the right decision.

  An orchestra plays, and we go through the service. Simple. Elegant. Perfect.

  Kieran gets a laugh by saying he wrote some vows.

  He did.

  But those are just for my ears, said later, whispered in the darkness and never to be forgotten.

  My father makes a toast, talking about a new era between the Doyles and the Carneys. Ronan makes a toast that has my mother almost faint. There’s laughter and dancing, and I am so profoundly grateful that we got to celebrate this amazing day in the place where the seeds of our love were planted.

  And where it will grow over the decades to come.

  The guests file out and suddenly, there’s silence. Blessed silence. We’d made it through without a single fistfight. I’m exhausted and elated and a little bit excited about what the promise of the night holds. Kieran has disappeared, and when he comes back, he’s shed the jacket and he’s just down to shirt sleeves.

  I can’t help it. I lick my lips. He’s a delicious man.

  There’s so much we’ve got to discover together, and we have all the time in the world to do it.

  He gives me a wide grin. “I wrote you a song.”

  Out on the balcony, there’s a table set for two. Starlight and an almost full moon cast light down over a perfect view of the ocean. And my husband plays me a love song, achingly beautiful, about a forbidden love so strong that that two children from opposing families had to make their way to an island to live happily ever after.

  And when he sweeps me up in his arms, I have no doubt that we will do just that.

  And have so much joy along the way.

  His eyes sparkle wickedly as he asks, “Where first, Mrs. Doyle?”

  I put my ears close to his and whisper, “We have some unfinished business in the library.”

  Thank you so much for reading! Ready for more of the Doyle boys?

  Here’s links to all their stories:

  Owen’s story: Knockout

  Connor’s story: Grind

  Seamus’ story: Hustle

  Kieran’s story: Thug

  Ronan’s story: Devil

  But wait, there’s more!

  Spend the holidays with the Doyles! Enjoy a Doyle family Christmas in Hooked and then see how they celebrate the New Year in Ringer.

  Vinny’s story: Hooked [Spend Christmas with the Doyles!]

  Jack’s story: Ringer [Celebrate the New Year with the Doyles!]

  I’m so grateful to you for enjoying the Doyles!

  Once you’ve read the whole series, sign up for my newsletter to receive a special bonus epilogue that gives you a look at all the Doyle boys, their wives, and where the families are few years later. But save it until you’ve enjoyed all the books!

  And don’t worry: after the Doyles, there’s a new series headed your way for the bad boys Boston. Get Finn’s story, book one of the Carneys, in Rake.

  I’d love to stay in touch! Sign up for my mailing list! Stay tuned for releases on Boston’s big-hearted tough guys and plenty of fun stuff along the way.

  Xoxo,

  Sophie