He licked his lips. “I don’t know.”
Better than a no. “Okay.”
“Is there anything you need?”
“Actually, yes.”
His pen started moving again. “What is it?”
“Look at me.”
He chuckled. “You don’t give the commands around here.”
“Please?”
He sighed before he put his pen down. He picked up his coffee mug and he turned in his chair. With his leg crossing itself over his knee, he settled the mug against his thigh. And when his eyes met mine, I felt him staring a hole through the back of my head.
“Yes?” he asked.
I blinked. “Hi.”
He nodded. “Hello.”
I smiled softly. “You look good, Gael.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Oh, you swoon me with your words.”
I could’ve sworn I saw the shadow of a grin attempting to cross his cheeks before he frowned even deeper than usual.
“What happened between us, I rightfully paid for. It did mean something. But not in the sense you wish it to,” he said.
I blinked. “What sense do you think I wish it to be?”
“You want me to still be in love with you, of course.”
“When did I ever give off that vibe?”
“So, you don’t wish it?”
“I never said that.”
“So, you do.”
“Gael, I’ve had many things taken from me in my lifetime. And none of them felt half as good as that.”
I pointed upstairs as that grin finally crossed his face.
“Glad I could appease.”
My hand fell into my lap. “All my life, it’s been—”
I searched for the right words as he sipped his coffee.
“I’ve been a prisoner. I know it’s commonplace for women in the kinds of families we come from to be nothing but property. But I—”
Suddenly, I felt stupid for even saying something.
“Forget it. It’s fine,” I said.
“Keep going.”
“It’s fine, Gael. I was just—”
“I said keep going. And don’t you dare make me ask you again, Miss Colleen.”
My eyes fell to my coffee. “I didn’t even have a proper bed. It was just… an air mattress on the floor of my father’s library. Granted, it was an incredible library. I devoured those books over, and over, and over again.”
I closed my eyes as the smell of those beautiful books swallowed me whole.
“Amidst those books, it didn’t matter that I didn’t have a bed. Or a bedroom. It didn’t matter that my clothes were always in stacks in the corners instead of in a closet. Or a dresser. It didn’t matter that I was expected to aid the kitchen help. Or assist the maids in cleaning toilets. None of that mattered with my books. When they were around, anyway.”
My eyes fell open and I found Gael staring intently at me with an expression I couldn't read.
“The truth of the matter is that I don’t know what you have planned for me. I don’t know if you’re going to love me, kill me, torture me, or hold me here until you seek your next release. I suppose anything is better than the life I lived with my father. Even death. But—”
He nodded. “But what?”
I drew in a brave breath. “But as long as I had my books, I was okay. If a life of torture and mindless sex is all you have for me, just—I’ll do better with it if I have books.”
“Is that what you think of me now?”
“What?”
“As a man. You think all I wish for you is torture and sex?”
I paused. “I really don’t know.”
He nodded slowly, but he didn't say anything.
“I’m sorry if I overstepped a boundary. Or if I said something that upset you. I just—I’m not sure—I don’t know if—”
He licked his lips. “Do you remember that sledding hill me and Liam used to always go down?”
Wait, what? “Um, Rock Hill?”
“That’s the one. Rock Hill. You know why we called it that?”
I snickered. “Because of the rocks at the bottom of the river that ran against the edge of the hill.”
“We always dared one another to race down that hill on our sleds, and whoever fell through that ice had to run home naked.”
I giggled. “What?”
He nodded. “Yep. It was one of the many stupid things we got into as kids. But for some reason, that one memory always jumps out at me. Rock Hill, and the first time I ever fell into that ice cold water.”
“Wait, you were the one that fell through first?”
“I mean, after that brute of a brother of yours running over it so many times, my lanky ass didn’t stand a chance.”
The two of us laughed together, and it actually felt normal.
“It was a lot easier to escape back then,” he said.
I nodded. “Yeah. It was.”
“I didn’t realize you were living like that, Colleen.”
No “miss” this time? “No one did. I don’t think even my brothers realized until I was well into my teenage years.”
“Your brothers,” he spat.
“I know. I know. They really take after my father that way.”
“Do you?”
I snickered. “I’d tell you to kill me on the spot if I thought I did.”
He sipped his coffee. “Do you miss your family?”
“Mom, a bit. But I miss my books more than I do anyone else. Is that weird?”
“Not if they brought you comfort.”
“They always did. The first thing I did every morning and the last thing I’d do every night is read. I kept up that trend in my life for years. All the way up until—”
I caught myself before I shoved my foot in my mouth.
“Yes, well. That’s good to hear. Because I paid a great deal of money for you, Miss Colleen.”
I cringed. “You did.”
“And I expect—among other things—loyalty and service whenever I ask for it.”
I felt our small moment of happiness breaking. “A premium price for a premium service.”
“Exactly.”
“My father used to always tell that to his customers.”
He paused. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing. It was nothing.”
He stood. “No. It was something. You said your father used to say that.”
“Because he did. Always.”
“I am nothing like your father.”
So you think. “I’m sorry. I never should’ve said anything.”
“No, you shouldn't have. I expect you to learn from your mistake as well. You’re dismissed. I don’t want to see you again until I call for you.”
Tears rushed my eyes. “Okay.”
I gripped my coffee mug and slipped out of my chair. Without even looking at him, tears slipped down my cheeks. I scurried into the room I’d slept in last night. The one that cradled me to sleep in silence. I ripped the door open and stepped inside, quickly closing it behind me. And as I heard Gael flop back down into his chair, I let silent tears fall.
I quickly abandoned my coffee in favor of a nap. Trying to shake the fear I felt. Trying to bury the hopelessness that had risen within me.
My eyes fell open and total silence surrounded me. The sun shone brighter than ever through the sliver of a window that my room was afforded. I sat up and reached for my cold coffee. I chugged it back, trying to wake myself up from the impromptu resting session.
But when I emerged from the bedroom, Gael was nowhere to be found.
Not in his bedroom.
Not in his bathroom.
Not even at that damn kitchen table.
7
Gael
“What do you think of this space, sir?”
Thoman’s voice ripped me from my trance. My eyes focused on the warehouse space in front of me. Much smaller than I was used to. Instead of individual storage spaces
all connected by one larger space right in the middle, it was just one giant space. And even for the size, it was still eight hundred square feet smaller than what I needed.
“Next,” I said.
“I told the realtor that might be as such. But don’t worry. The next one on our list ticks all of the boxes except one.”
I sighed. “Please tell me it, at the very least, has an office space for me.”
He paused. “That would be the one box it doesn’t tick.”
“Then, slash it off the list and let’s get going.”
“Yes, sir.”
As we walked back over to the car Declan lent us for the day, my mind wouldn't stop churning. I kept wondering what Colleen was up to. What she was thinking. What she might need. She had the bravery to come to me and tell me something she wanted. No, in her case, it was something she needed. Something to make things a little more bearable for her.
So, why was I so perturbed with her asking?
“Sir?”
“Hmm?”
“We’re here at the second to last warehouse for the day.”
I blinked. “Wonderful. Which boxes does this one not tick?”
“It’s still short on square footage. But, only by two hundred square feet. And the top part of the warehouse isn’t quite finished. So, if we invested a bit into it to finish it up, you’d have four hundred more square feet than the last.”
I nodded. “Let’s go give it a look.”
The layout of the place wasn’t terrible. It was close to what I was used to. Docking ramps that led straight into a massive middle warehouse, with smaller offshoots that had their own private loading ramps as well. The office space was above, in the unfinished part of the building. But Thoman was correct. In the right circumstances, I could close the office space off and have more storage than usual up above everything else. Almost like an attic space.
A space we could lock down.
“I like this one. How does it compare to the last one?” I asked.
“The last one is right on par with the size you requested. It has the middle opening with the offshoots you want. And it has an office space, but it’s detached from the rest of the building.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket. “Scratch that off. Put an offer on this place. I won’t pay any more than seven hundred thousand for it, though. Especially since we can’t use it straight away because of this upper part that isn’t finished yet. That’ll take time and money. Negotiate, but don’t go over that budget.”
“Yes, sir.”
Then, I shoved my hand into my pocket and answered my vibrating cell.
“Hello?” I asked.
“How’s the warehouse hunt going?”
I turned back toward the car. “Declan. Afternoon.”
“Thoman behaving himself?”
“You know you never have to worry about him.”
“I wasn’t worried. Merely trying to make conversation. You’ve been wound a bit tight lately. I wanted to call and check on you.”
“Is that the only reason you’re calling?”
“Actually, no. I was calling because I’m out of my own volition, and I’ve passed by a nice little setup of multiple warehouses I thought you might like.”
“Oh?”
“Mhm. It’s an entire block of buildings. From the looks of it, it’s got the one massive warehouse in the center, but all the offshoots are their own little building. Easier to lock down those kinds of places.”
“Yes, but harder to defend.”
“Are you willing to at least give it a look?”
I paused. “Where is it located?”
He sighed. “5th and Ridge.”
I blinked. “That less than two blocks from the Maguire neighborhood.”
“I know, I know.”
“Not just their neighborhood, either. But their entire enterprise. Are you crazy?”
“It was just a suggestion, Gael. It’s why I called.”
“We’d be much too close to Patrick and those asshole sons of his. That spells trouble coming from ten miles away.”
“And again, this is only a courtesy call.”
“Plus, with me purchasing Colleen, they might not—”
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you right. Did you just say you bought Colleen? As in, Colleen Maguire?”
Better now than never. “Yes. I did.”
“And how the fuck did you pull that one off?”
I shrugged. “I went to the club. I needed to blow off some steam. But it was ownership night. I figured I’d stay for the entertainment nonetheless. And boom, there she was.”
“There she was.”
“Yep.”
“Just like that.”
“Just like that.”
He snickered. “What the fuck is Patrick Maguire selling off his damn daughter for?”
I walked back to the car. “You know damn good and well that man is shit when it comes to money and finances. He probably dug himself a bad hole with the wrong people and he needed quick cash.”
“How much?”
“It didn’t make a dent in anything”
“How much did you spend on the girl, Gael?”
I opened the car door. “A few million.”
“What’s a few? Three? Ten? Fifty?”
I snickered. “No one’s worth fifty million. Ever.”
“Is she still close with her family?”
I dropped onto the seat. “Not a fat chance in hell. She didn’t even have her own room there. She slept in the library on an air mattress with her clothes shoved into a corner. She’s got no loyalties there.”
“Yeah, well. Right now? We can’t take any chances. Assume she’s working an angle until you have proof otherwise.”
“Thanks. Not that I hadn’t thought of that anyway.”
“Well, sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have someone agree with you. Maybe since she’s there, you’ll have a bit of fun and unwind a little bit. You’re making everyone a bit miserable.”
“I’m sorry, I think you’re confusing me with Mom.”
Declan chuckled. “Were you drinking when you bought her?”
Thoman slipped in beside me. “Maybe a bit.”
“Explains the impulse buy.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on, Gael. You’re the most money-conservative of us all, despite the fact that you have more money than any of us.”
“I still don’t know how that’s possible. Do any of you not know about retirement accounts? Investments?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, are you planning on keeping her?”
I crossed my leg over my knee. “Of course. Callaghans don’t break their word. I was angry and drunk when it happened, yes. But the deal has been made. And sealed.”
“You dog, you.”
“Anyway, don’t worry about the warehouse property. I think I found—”
A beep in my ear caused me to hold the phone out. And when I saw Brody calling, I grinned.
“Declan? I’ll call you back. Brody’s ringing in,” I said.
“Tell him I said hey and send Abby my regards.”
I paused. “Why?”
He chuckled. “I’m sure that’s why Brody’s calling. Talk soon.”
I didn’t know what the fuck my brother was talking about, but I switched the call over anyway. As Thoman sat beside me, taking notes in the air conditioning of the car, Brody’s voice sounded in my ear. Loud and proud. More so than usual.
“Hey, Gael! Fancy a bit of lunch?”
I blinked. “Fancy?”
“Yeah. You know, want to go get food?”
I paused. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
“Can’t a brother ask another brother to lunch?”
“You said the word ‘fancy.’”
“Really?”
“Yeah, didn’t you hear yourself?”
He chuckled. “I mean, ‘really’, as in, ‘that’s what you’re hung up on?’”
I shook my head. “I’m done for the day anyway. Though, it’s a bit late for lunch.”
“Fine, do you want to get an early dinner? I’ve got some news for you.”
“Oh? Good news?”
“The best kind of news. Meet me at that steakhouse on the water. On me.”
“Wow. Must be really good news.”
“See you in a few!”
His chipper voice caught me off-guard, but whatever it was? I was happy for him.
“Driver? Take Thoman back to the family brownstone, then head over to Waterside Steaks.”
“Sir?” Thoman asked.
The car started moving. “Brody and I are getting lunch. Declan told me to have you back at the house no later than three. We’re pushing it, as is.”
“I hope the two of you enjoy yourselves. Once the negotiations are underway, I’ll keep you abreast.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you.”
After dropping Thoman off, the driver did as I asked. And ten minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. The driver parked and I went inside. I looked around for Brody before his brute hands started waving themselves in the air. As if we were at some sort of carnival.
“Over here! Gael!”
I cringed at the volume of his voice as I raised my hand up. Hoping to stave off his flailing so as to not draw attention to us.
I hated when people stared.
“Brody.”
He stood up. “Gael. Good to see you.”
He gave me a rousing hug before clapping me on the back. And he hit me so hard my eyes widened.
“Wow. Um, must be really good news, then,” I said.
He was all smiles. “The best kind. But, first? We talk.”
I sat down. “Of course. What about?”
“First off? Mom.”
I lost my appetite. “Ah. Fiona.”
“She’s still our mother, whether you want her to be or not.”
“I’m honestly shocked you’re still taking her side in all this.”
“For the last time, I’m not taking her side. I’m just not ready to completely write her off yet. Not until we solve this whole debacle with Richard’s death.”
I sighed. “Are we really not going to intervene? I mean, every time I bring it up to Declan—”
“He’s leaving those plans to me.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “Yep. Look, Mom’s made it clear—”
Gael: The Callaghan Mafia Book 3 Page 5
