Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. “If you want him, take him. But there’s nothing in my contract to say I have to help you poach a client.” And I wouldn’t do that, but I wouldn’t stop it either.
“That is not acceptable!”
I nodded. “You’re right. I’ll make the call now.” Reaching across the table, I dialed my assistant. “Sebastian please get me Mr. Antoni.”
“Right away Ms. Porter.”
The phone rang, echoing in the cavernous conference room. Three times. Four times. “Ms. Porter, I hope you’re calling to tell me you’ve given more thought to what we talked about.”
All eyes went to me and I knew they were thinking sex. Because a woman who looks like I do must have fucked her client.
“I have already explored a few options for expansion but that, unfortunately is not the reason for my call. You’re being moved to one of the senior partners.”
“Fuck that shit! If you try to pawn me off on that little dick fucker Nelson, I walk. With my retainer.” He heaved a breath. “What the fuck is going on Sylvie?”
“Mr. Antoni, I can assure that I am perfectly-,”
“No! Hell no. Sylvie I’m not dealing with this shit. Call me back when you can talk, for real.” The line went dead, and I didn’t smirk. I didn’t grin. I just sat there calmly and waited. I know they wanted me to say something, to jump in and promise to smooth things over with Antoni. But I wouldn’t. Not because I’m not a team player, but because this was bullshit. I’m not some associate getting a big fish stolen. I am a fucking partner.
“How do you plan to fix this?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know after I make sure Antoni doesn’t take his business elsewhere.” I left the conference room and made straight for my office, closing the door behind me so that I wouldn’t be disturbed. I had a lot to think about, and it seemed that the state of my career had been bumped up to the top of the list.
“Shit.”
Making an enemy out of a senior partner wasn’t the brightest move, even if I had to protect my client from a mediocre attorney. But now that I had, I knew Nelson would make life difficult moving forward.
I pulled out my phone and sent an inquiring email to a few headhunters, just to see what my options were. Then I worked to calm down a very pissed off, possible gangster. Antoni was mostly bark when it came to the small stuff like switching attorneys, because he knew he had all the power. “Just consider it.”
“I did when the firm first offered him up. But then that jackass brought up a plea deal. I don’t employ wimps. I need soldiers, and I already got one in you.”
“Right. Thanks. I’ll call your assistant about meeting on the business matters.”
“Good. Later.”
The call disconnected and I felt…drained. I didn’t want to deal with it anymore but this was my job, and until I decided what happened next, I would do it the best way I knew how. I’d missed a call from Brady while dealing with Antoni but I’d call him once I was home.
By the time five o’clock rolled around, I had put a good dent in some of the research I needed for another upcoming trial. But I still felt betrayed from the meeting earlier and I had every intention of drowning my sorrows in some Ben & Jerry’s Karamel Sutra. And maybe a good curry. That was my plan, not poring over briefs, not getting ready for a date. At home, relaxing. Dreaming up the life I would have with my baby.
Just the two of us.
Hope you enjoyed this Preview Dear Reader.
If you’d like to read the rest of Sylvie and Brady’s story you can check it out here.
Safeguarded
Keane
“Those assholes set me up Keane. You were right, I never should have trusted the Red Shamrocks.” I watched my friend and leader pace frantically from side to side, his shock of black hair standing on edge. “Now I’ve got the Feds on my ass, chomping at the bit to finally have something on the mighty Seamus O’Malley.”
I sat back in my chair, a glass of Jameson in my hand as my oldest friend’s world crumbled around him. “Do we have proof or do you need me to get it?” I couldn’t deny that I’d love nothing more than to take a few of those Red ‘Rock bastards to the basement of some building set for demolition and make them cry for their mamas. My role in Seamus’s organization, Cearul, was part confidant, part advisor and part hatchet man. The latter part of my job I enjoyed the most.
“No.” Seamus stopped pacing and set dark blue eyes on me. “What I need from you is more important than those fuckers. Besides,” he smiled and poured himself a healthy amount of whiskey, “I plan to deal with them myself.”
I didn’t know how I felt about Seamus going about this on his own. He was more than capable of handling the wet work if he needed to, but he didn’t need to. “What do you need me to do boss?”
“I need you to take care of Fiona. Keep her safe because Callahan and his thugs will use her to get to me and I can’t let that happen.”
Ah, shit. Fiona O’Malley. A gorgeous redhead with the kind of curves that made men forget to be gentlemen. The kind of mouth that begged to be kissed. And she was Seamus’ daughter. Completely fucking off limits. Had been since the day I met her, but back then she’d been a kid. Now that she was a grown woman with curves, lips and tits, it was much harder. Hell, everything was much harder when she was around. “You got it.” I stood. “Where is she?”
Seamus checked his watch. “She should be on her way home from class now.” Yeah, she was also twenty-one fucking years old and nearly done with college. I’m an old man as far as she’s concerned but I wanted her. Fuck, I wanted her bad.
“Right. And where will you be?”
“I’ll figure it out Keane. You just keep my Fiona alive.” Guzzling his drink and slamming the glass down he frowned. “I never wanted any of this shit to touch her. Naïve I know, but I thought I could do it. Now I need you to do it Keane. You’re the only person I can trust to keep her safe”
Grabbing the black leather coat that was my constant companion against the temperamental Boston weather, I nodded my agreement. “I’ll go get her now. Stay here until I get back with a bag for you.”
“Keane goddammit, I don’t—,”
“I’m not asking boss. You’re my best friend, hell my only friend and I’ll make sure you have what you need out there on your own.” I didn’t wait for Seamus to respond because he didn’t need to. We’d grown up together in this city, ran the streets when we should have been in school and learning shit. Instead we looked out for one another all our lives except the years Seamus got married and I went into the service. Hell, I should see Fiona as a daughter but I couldn’t. I didn’t. She wasn’t even my fucking type, all innocent and virginal looking but I knew passion hid beneath the surface because it called to me. I couldn’t explain it and I couldn’t act on it, so I’d kept my distance.
Now I couldn’t. Thanks to the Red ‘Rocks.
Slamming my foot on the gas, weaving through late afternoon traffic I felt an urgency coursing through me to get to Fiona and I followed it. Years as an army sniper had told me one thing, never fucking ignore my instincts and right now they screamed that Fi needed me. Because we’d made the mistake of doing business with the Red Shamrocks, a smaller gang looking to join the Cearul Network, I knew they would attack Fiona first.
My ride came to a screeching halt outside her swanky Beacon Hill apartment building and my legs ate up the concrete. Inside the lobby I found the doorman on the floor. I crouched beside him checking for a pulse. Alive. Running on instinct and adrenaline, I pulled the emergency lever on the elevator and ducked into the stairwell. If someone was here to harm Fiona they wouldn’t escape without running into me first.
Scanning the corridor, I noticed one man outside Fiona’s door. A red shamrock tattooed on his neck. He held a nine millimeter in his hand but the man wasn’t ready to use it, his posture was too relaxed and his grip too loose. I crept up on the asshole easily, he should have been keeping better
watch. My good luck. I would have killed the bastard but I didn’t have time for a body dump, so I wrapped an arm around his neck and squeezed until his lights went out. I dropped him silently and pulled out my gun before heading inside Fiona’s place.
“Get your paws off me you goon!” She was a sassy thing, with her father’s mouth. But I could hear the struggle in her voice, the fear, and I moved in to see what I was up against.
“Don’t worry Red, me and my boys are going to have our paws all over you. Inside you.” I recognized the gravelly voice as one of Callahan’s men and I knew his reputation. He’d left more than a few working girls bruised, broken and unable to work.
I would kill that bastard if he touched Fiona. And I would fucking enjoy it.
“Probably the only way someone like you could get laid. But I guess rape is how you shamrock boys get down. Must be all that prison time,” she taunted.
I had to smile. Despite her sheltered upbringing, Fiona wasn’t like the other mob princesses. She was down to earth. Smart. And that smart mouth would get her harmed.
“It ain’t rape if you want it. And Red I know you’re dripping for me.” He laughed and grabbed her neck and that’s when I went in for the attack.
“One of you will be dripping, but I doubt it’ll be her.” Two punches to the kidney and he was on the ground, my foot on his neck. He squirmed and I applied pressure. “you okay Fi?”
“I am now. Thanks Keane.” She flashed that wholesome girl-next-door smile that made me want to kiss her until she was wet and trembling for me.
Instead I winked. “Anytime. Pack a bag. No questions.”
That lush pink mouth opened then snapped shut at my command.
Obedient, nice. “Get up asshole.” I had plans for this guy. One last job before I dedicate myself to keeping Fiona safe and sound.
Like I promised.
Fiona
Most people think the worst part of my father’s world is the potential for violence or arrest, and that is a concern. But my biggest issue is that no one tells me a damn thing. About anything. Like when your dad’s hot as shit second in command shows up to rescue you and busts down two Red ‘Rocks before dropping you off and taking one of them God knows where. I had a clue what fate that douchebag would meet at Keane’s hand, but I preferred not to think about it. It’s how I survived, and I would use it for as long as it worked.
“Dad what the hell is going on?” I rushed into his house and stepped into his arms.
“My beautiful Fi. It’s nothing for you to worry about. Keane is going to look after you for a while.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him I could look after myself, but even with self-defense classes I couldn’t hold my own against a bunch of angry gangsters. Then again, maybe dealing with mobsters might be easier than fighting my attraction for Keane.
“Keane?” I couldn’t do that. Keane scared me and it had nothing to do with what he did for my dad and his “company” Cearul. No, he scared me in an entirely different way. Just one look and I felt my panties go damp, my boobs felt heavy and tender and my mind kind of shut down. I knew it was attraction, arousal. Of course I did, but Keane was literally old enough to be my father. As hot as he was, his relationship with my dad meant I would forever be off limits. More importantly he would be off limits to me. If I were bold enough to chase him.
I wasn’t.
“Of course. He’s the only one I trust to keep my little girl safe.” He patted my cheek like the seven-year-old I swear he still saw when he looked at me.
“I’m not a little girl Dad. What’s going on?” I was grateful he’d tried his best to give me a normal life, to shield me from his businesses that weren’t exactly legal. But now that my life of independence was in jeopardy, he owed me some answers.
“Nothing for you to worry about Fiona. I made a deal I shouldn’t have and they fucked me. Now I have to un-fuck myself and fuck them harder.” He stood, buttoning his jacket over his expanded middle. “I need you to stay close to Keane, lovey.”
Closing my eyes, I let out a calming breath. Whenever Dad called me lovey things were dire. I knew he loved me but he so rarely used non-possessive terms that it caught me off guard.
“Are you in danger of prison or death?”
“Possibly both but I’m handling it. Knowing you’re safe will allow me to deal with it better.”
And there was the guilt trip, as though it’s my fault he’s got gangsters and Feds after him. “Right. By all means go do what you have to do.” Frustrated I poured a couple fingers of whiskey, Irish of course, and knocked it back to keep my hands from trembling. Angry and frustrated, I knew voicing either emotion wouldn’t be helpful. Or welcome. “Where is Keane anyway?” The man couldn’t very well keep me safe if he wasn’t around.
“I’m right here.” That deep voice sounded right behind me, the man moved like a panther. Or a ninja. “What do you need?” Stepping close enough that I could smell the intoxicating scent of his cologne, his deep green eyes raked over my face and stared into my eyes as though he could see every thought, every emotion. I knew I was being foolish. Keane wasn’t a mind reader. He was just a man. A beautiful man with a great body, but still.
“Apparently you.” I hadn’t meant to say that, but I refused to be the silly little blushing virgin in front of Keane for another moment.
His mouth twitched and then his tongue darted out and slicked across his plump bottom lip. “Good to know Fi.”
I wanted to smack that smirk off his handsome face. Really I wanted to kiss it away, but I couldn’t. Instead I glared. “Hilarious Keane.”
He winked and turned to my father, picking up a brown leather duffel. “New documents, cash, clothes and protection.” Shoving the bag at my father he just kept talking. “There’s a black sedan out front with two weeks’ worth of phones and anything else you might need. If you can’t get something call me.”
My dad gave him a smile of gratitude and they shared a look of two men who’d done battle together, knew what the other needed without uttering a word between them. “Thanks brother. Keep Fiona safe.”
Keane gave a solemn nod, running a big bruised hand through thick reddish-blonde hair. “No thanks necessary.” They shook hands, and before he left Dad wrapped me in his arms and kissed my cheek. He held me tightly for a long moment.
“I love you Fi.”
“Love you too, Dad.” Then he was gone, leaving me in the one position I tried to never be in since I’d turned sixteen. Alone with Keane.
“Come on.” Keane steered me to the door, his hand resting hot and low on my back.
“Come on, where?” I took a step away from him so I could concentrate, because sweet lord the man was too potent.
He sighed, giving me that look that said he thought I was nothing more than a petulant child. “To your place so you can pack a few things.”
“No. Absolutely not. You can ‘keep me safe’ without destroying my routine.”
“You want to stay at your place? What happens next time Fi? When I don’t get to you in time? Then I’ll have to explain to Seamus that I let his girl get killed and who knows what else,” he gave me a look that said he knew exactly what else and I shivered, “because she wanted to keep her fucking routine. Let’s go.”
I hated myself in that moment. Felt like I let down feminists everywhere by not kicking him in the balls and storming out. Instead my body reacted like the inexperienced little hussy I was. So I ignored the my sensitive beaded nipples, the heat pooling low in my belly and the way my heart raced. I pulled the door open and marched to the car, slamming the door harder than I needed to.
Without a word, Keane slid behind the wheel and started the engine. Strong capable hands maneuvered us through traffic but I refused to notice.
Nope.
Not noticing at all.
Keane
Did she have to wear that dress when we’d be in the fucking car all damn day? The damn thing was practically indecent, barely skimming the top
s of smooth porcelain thighs, the white dress hugged her tits and was only held up by two tiny white strings. One flick of my wrists and she would be bared for me. She looked both the prim and proper school girl and the virginal whore all at once. And it messed with my head. She was Seamus’ daughter, not some piece of tail I take what I need from and move on.
I wanted to take it all—more than I wanted anything right now—but I also wanted to give her more pleasure than she’d ever known. Dammit. And the worst of it? Fiona had no idea just how tempting a picture she made. But I noticed. So did every asshole we encountered with a cock, at the gas station, the grocery store, drugstore. The restaurant we stopped for breakfast. They all stared at her, imagined doing unspeakably dirty things to her and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
“Do we really need to go out of town to stay safe? I have classes. Tests and projects to complete. This is my last semester.”
I groaned and clenched my jaw to keep from snapping at her. Did she not get that the Red ‘Rocks didn’t give a damn about her summer session?
“I heard you the other five hundred times Fi. Did the dagger stuck in the hood of your car yesterday not clue you in to how fucking serious this is?” I had to shake my head. Had I ever been that young and naïve? Of course not. Life had handed me and Seamus nothing but a bowl of shit. Shitty parents. Shitty neighborhoods. Shitty opportunities. That’s how we ended up here, the most powerful Irish criminal organization in Boston. That’s why Fiona was now in danger and under my protection. “Look I know you’ve never given a right fuck about the family business but-,”
She reeled back against the passenger door like I slapped her.
“How dare you say that to me! If I hadn’t taken over the books and the management of Cerulean Shipping you would all be behind bars Keane. Federal bars. The kind that keep you locked up all but one hour a day.” Arms crossed, she pointedly turned away from me, staring out the window at the nothingness that whipped by. I felt the tension as it rolled off her, the steam coming off her almost visible. “Contrary to what you think Keane, I do appreciate everything Dad has done for me. But you’re right, I don’t want any part of that life. I hate that when I get a call or a visitor after eleven, that I automatically prepare myself to hear that the only family I have left is gone.”
Fake Fiancé Next Door_A Small Town Romance Page 13
