The Hero

by Amelia Shea

  “I’ll take it.” She wiggled her brows. “At least I’ll have three out of the four Reilly men who like me.”

  Rourke snorted.

  Caden stood, stretching his arms. “Kase just needs time to warm up to ya. Known him my entire life. And Kase was raised to be hard. You live your life for so long a certain way, it’s hard to be anything else. Kase will only let ya in when he trusts you, and he has a hard time trusting anyone who isn’t family or the club.”

  Macy sighed. “Well, I’ll keep trying, I’ll break him down eventually.”

  Caden laughed. “I’m sure you will, sweetheart.” He turned to Rourke. “See ya guys in the morning.”

  They said their goodbye’s which left just him, Macy, and Saint around the dwindling fire. They were shacking up in Caden’s units for the night.

  “What time you heading out tomorrow?”

  Saint shifted in his seat. “Early. Gonna run by the house, make sure it’s set for construction on Tuesday, then head home. I’ll check on the Main Street store while I’m there. Demolition is scheduled to start later next week.”

  Rourke was about to ask about Saint’s house, but Macy interrupted.

  “You guys should do a ribbon cutting too.” Macy blurted and bounced in her seat. Rourke loved her like this with so much enthusiasm. “So, when Rourke and I were leaving the diner this afternoon, Bailey approached us about doing a ribbon cutting for my store.”

  Rourke lifted his beer to his lips, covering his impending smile. One look at Saint when he heard Bailey’s name got a reaction.

  “Have you met her, the mayor?”

  Saint cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

  “Sweetheart, right?” Macy asked but didn’t wait for a reply. “I’ll reach out to her and mention it. I’m sure she’d love to do it.” Macy jumped up and rushed toward the unit. “I’ll give you her contact info, Saint, in case ya wanna go through her directly.” Rourke watched as Macy disappeared into the apartment.

  He hadn’t even realized he was being so obvious with his amusement over the situation until Saint called him out on it.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Not gonna lie, it’s a little fucking funny.” Rourke rested back in his seat and clasped his hands on his lap. “Don’t get you, Saint.”

  Saint, who had been staring at the fire, slowly glanced over but didn’t respond. The only motherfucker quieter than Rourke himself was Saint.

  “Been around a long time, Saint. You barely give a fucking glance at the girls around the club. But the mayor?” Rourke cocked a brow. “Your ass is charging Main Street and pulling some bodyguard shit.”

  Saint merely mirrored Rourke and raised a brow.

  “Just wondering why ya ain’t making a move. Ya wait too long, and another brother is gonna move in on her.”

  Saint snorted. “No. They won’t. She’s off limits.”

  Rourke drew in a breath. “Why fucking wait?” He rarely got involved, or even cared to know anyone else’s business, but something about the Bailey and Saint situation had piqued his interest. Fuck, Macy was making him soft. Jack was right…he was turning into a pussy.

  He didn’t expect a response from Saint. His question might as well have been rhetorical. He heard the door open before he saw Macy and he was looking in her direction when he heard Saint.

  “She doesn’t need to be waiting around on a man who is present. She deserves someone who’ll be there, every day and every night.”

  Rourke shifted his gaze to Saint who continued. “I’m not there yet. Got too many things going on to give her what she needs. But I’m getting it straight, getting my shit in order with the tattoo shops, training managers to take over what I do. Construction starts next week on my house in Ghosttown, along with my shop in town. In six months, I’ll be there permanently.” He lifted his eyes and stared back at Rourke. “I’ll be present.” The corner of his mouth curled. “But until then, she’s off limits.”

  Saint couldn’t have timed it more perfectly. Macy walked up just as he had finished speaking. She handed him a slip of paper.

  “Here’s her number and email.”

  Saint took and stuck it in his shirt pocket before standing up. “Thank you, Macy. I’m done for the night, but it was good hanging out with you. We should do it again.” He walked past Macy, grazing his hand on her shoulder, and started toward the units.

  “Yeah, brother, we’ll definitely do it again. In maybe, six months?” Rourke couldn’t help himself, and he smiled when he saw Saint’s step falter, and his shoulders tighten, but he continued into the apartment without sparing him a look.

  “You ready for bed too?” Macy yawned

  He sent her in and broke down the fire. By the time he got into the bedroom, she was already in bed with her eyes closed. It had only been about fifteen minutes, but it was after two in the morning, and she’d been up since five. He used the bathroom before stripping down and climbing into bed with her. She hadn’t moved, even when he shifted against her back and folded her into his chest.

  He had settled in, closed his eyes, and was just about to drift into sleep.

  “This has been the best day ever, Rourke,” she whispered.

  She curled into his chest, and he tugged her close. Yeah, it fucking was.

  It wouldn’t take long for him to pass out. It’d been a long day. All he needed was sleep at this point. Macy had other ideas.

  “So, when is this all happening, ’cause I kinda want move tomorrow.”

  What the fuck? Wasn’t she just sleeping? He sighed.

  “Six months. Gotta list my garage, Trax is gonna sell his house, and we’ll start the build on the new shop, and start with your store and the house.”

  “What about your place?”

  Now, she wanted to talk about all this?

  “I rent so I just gotta give notice.” He squeezed her into his side. “You do too, so check out your lease.”

  “I’m month-to-month, so it won’t be a problem. But my mom will. Your ass better get ready, ’cause this move will require a meet with the mom. Oh, and not to scare ya, but she’ll want to visit.”

  “I can fucking handle it.” He was actually looking forward to it.

  Macy snorted. “Ya need to lose the ‘fucks’ while Mom is in town, just sayin’.” She gripped his waist, trying to tickle him, but he grasped her hand. “So, what about Trini and Emme, think they’ll visit?”

  Oh, fuck me. He was realizing this was going to be a discussion, and sleep wasn’t in his near future. He rolled on his back. If she wanted to talk, then he might as well bring up his thoughts on Trini and Emme making the move with them. Having them all share a house wouldn’t work. If Macy hadn’t been in the equation, he would have no problem living with his sister and niece. But he and Macy needed their privacy. And he knew, no way Trini would want to impose on them.

  “The house next to ours? Was thinking maybe they would take it.” He waited. Macy liked his sister and niece, and he knew the feeling was mutual. However, Rourke didn’t know if living so close to one another would be something Macy would want. He’d push for it, but he wasn’t sure risking a life with Macy would be worth it. Besides, he’d made the offer to Trini, but she hadn’t mentioned anything.

  Macy pushed against his chest, and he grunted. Fuck, what the hell? She propped up and leaned over him. “That would be perfect.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Hell yeah.” She pushed off him again and scrambled to the side table.

  “What the fuck are you doing?”

  She pulled out her phone. “Checking the school district. Emme will start in the fall. I’m thinking she might be zoned for Turnersville, which is kind of far, but at least we know people here. I bet Caden would agree to be an emergency contact.”

  He snorted. “Ya checking fucking schools and setting up emergency contacts? Baby, she didn’t say she’d make the move.”

  Macy turned her head, and a smile crept on her lips. “I love when you call me bab
y.”

  He knew this but rolled his eyes anyway.

  “Why wouldn’t she move with us?”

  Pride. Lack of self-confidence. Uncertainty. Any one of those would be a reason for Trini in her mind.

  “The motherfucker she’s married to.”

  Macy scoffed. “The guy who knocked up someone else while married to her? The guy who I have yet to meet ’cause he’s never around? The one you beat up ’cause he was in a strip club when he should have been at home with his wife and daughter? That asshole?”

  Rourke drew in a breath and nodded.

  Macy tossed her phone onto the table before dropping her breasts against his chest. “Trini and Emme are moving to Ghosttown with us.” She winked. “I got this.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The past three months had had its ups and downs.

  On the upside, both Trax’s house and Rourke’s garage were currently under contract. A little quicker than they had hoped since their house and the new garage wouldn’t be ready for at least another few months. Cheyenne and Trax moved into her old apartment, and Macy was officially moved into Rourke’s place. The renovations on their store had begun and, in a few months, they’d officially be open for business. Some dreams really do come true.

  Another upside. The ban had been lifted on her at the clubhouse. Though she still got a hateful glare from Kase whenever she walked into the club. Their friendship would take some time. Maybe a few more months. Possibly years.

  They had had their share of lows. Rourke’s father was still an annoying presence in their lives, showing up randomly. Gillian had left him a few weeks prior but constantly sent Macy texts saying she wanted to remain close because after all, they were family.

  Her last and final mission was about to take place. Macy had insisted Rourke stake claim to the small house next to theirs in Ghosttown which he did. Rourke had been on her about talking to Trini earlier, but she resisted. For the plan to fully commence, it took time. And she was about to launch, Operation: Get Trini and Emme to Ghosttown.

  They had just finished up dinner at Trini’s house. While they didn’t have dinner every night, it happened often. She’d become close to both his sister and his niece. Why wouldn’t she? They were awesome. Being an only child growing up, Macy had craved a large family, so she naturally took on Trini and Emme. Not from some obligation to Rourke. She truly fell in love with his sister and niece.

  She had helped Trini clear dishes and grabbed two beers. Rourke was settled on the couch with Emme tucked into his side. Macy stopped in mid-step. Here was a man so deadly and scary and intimidating. Yet with the tiny five year cradled into his side, he seemed at ease. It wasn’t hard to imagine him with their children someday.

  “See?” Trini came up from behind and whispered in her ear, “My brother would make a hell of a dad, Mace.” Macy smiled with her eyes locked on Rourke and Emme. “And in case you’re wondering, I’d make a hell of an awesome aunt.” Macy looked over, and Trini winked. “Just sayin’.” She made her way to the small table and sat.

  Macy had mentioned earlier she wanted to discuss some things with Trini. She didn’t go into specifics. For this to work, it would have to be a sneak attack. She also kept Rourke in the dark about it. She needed Trini to know this was coming from her. It wasn’t out of obligation. Something she suspected from previous conversations. They were close siblings, and Trini had shared somethings with her, even Rourke hadn’t. It seemed her man wasn’t just her hero, but Trini’s too.

  “So, what’s going on?”

  Macy reached into her bag with her free hand and grabbed the plans. She settled into the chair next to Trini and placed the beers and the papers on the table. Macy glanced over her shoulder, aware Rourke had his eyes on her. She smiled with a quick nod before turning back to Trini.

  Macy had mentioned the house and store in Ghosttown to Trini many times before. And like the person Trini was, she was overjoyed she and Rourke would be settling there. Never once did she mention how she and Emme would lose their only family when he left. That was Trini, selfless.

  She spread out the blueprints in front of her. It was a drawing of the house Rourke had picked out in Ghosttown. She could still visualize it in her mind. It needed work and a little TLC, but when it was done, it would be perfect. She couldn’t ask for a better location. How many people could say they worked in walking distance from their home? And the icing on the cake? Just a block over was Cheyenne and Trax’s house.

  “I wanted to show you the house.”

  Trini grabbed her beer and sat up, glancing down at the floor plan. Macy caught her smile as her fingers splayed over the plans. “Aw, Mace, it’s gonna be awesome.”

  It would be awesome. But not perfect. The only way it would be perfect is if her plan worked.

  Macy mapped out the property with a full description of the house. “So, it’s three bedrooms with two and a half baths. A huge kitchen which overlooks the yard which we’ll fence in. I’m thinking of tearing out the patio and doing one of those screened in porches so we can be outside without the bugs, ya know?”

  Trini smiled. “Yeah, sounds perfect.”

  “I thought so.” She eyed Trini and moved her finger across the plans to the adjacent property. “This one is a bit smaller, but it’s super cute. It’s a two-bedroom cape, one and a half baths but the living room has a floor to ceiling fireplace with a huge bay window with a view into the backyard.”

  Her chair shifted forward, and she looked up to see Rourke staring down at the plans. She turned back to Trini. “The yard is huge. I could totally see a playset, maybe a sandpit here.”

  “And a pool?” Emme squeezed through Macy and Trini, taking a seat on her mom’s lap.

  Macy smiled. “Yeah, maybe, or since it’s already got a fence, maybe a puppy.” Macy was playing dirty, but from the gleam in Emme’s eyes, it was working. She would fight dirty if she had to. “And the really cool thing about this one is the bus stop for the school in Turnersville is right on the corner.” She pointed to the corner spot. “Right there.” She grazed her finger around the plans to the Main Street. “And right here is where my store will be. I can walk to the bus stop and then straight to the store. Pretty cool, huh?”

  Emme nodded with a bright smile.

  “So, Em? The only problem is my store with my friend Cheyenne, we need someone else to help out.”

  Macy kept her eyes focused on Emme, but she could see Trini glance up.

  “I could help,” Emme said.

  Macy pouted. “But you’ll be in school.” She paused. “Can you think of anyone else who might be able to come live in this house with the big back yard, right next to me and Uncle Rourke?” She pointed to the plans on the table. She moved her finger across. “Maybe drop her little girl off at this bus stop?” Macy dragged her finger across the plans again. “And help me out at my store?”

  She felt Rourke’s hands on her shoulders give her a gentle squeeze. One touch said so much. She was well aware what Trini and Emme meant to him, and if she could do it, she’d make it possible for him to never be too far from them. Hopefully, only two hundred feet. But it had to come from her. Not Rourke, just her, so Trini would know this wasn’t done from a family obligation. They wanted her there. Right next to them.

  “Mommy can help,” Emme said.

  Macy glanced up to see Trini with tears in her eyes, but she was shaking her head. Macy immediately nodded.

  “Oh my God. That’s a brilliant idea,” Macy said, answering Emme but staring at Trini.

  “Mace,” Trini whispered with a smile.

  “I can’t think of better neighbors than you and Emme.”

  “You’d really want me living next door. I mean, c’mon,” She glanced up at Rourke. “You want your little sister as your next-door neighbor?”

  There was no hesitation. “Yeah, I do. And we’re already neighbors anyway, and it works.”

  Trini was on the verge of losing it. She glanced up at Rourke who coul
d read his sister better than anyone, so he acted. He reached out, taking Emme’s hand.

  “C’mon, let’s get some ice cream.”

  Emme was oblivious and more than happy to hang out with her Uncle Rourke. They left, and when the door closed, she turned back to Trini whose tears fell down her cheeks at rapid speed. It was time to plead her case.

  “Just hear me out, okay?”

  Trini smiled and nodded.

  “I know you haven’t been there, but I have, and Trini, you’d love it. You and Emme would have your own house, double the size of this place, with your own yard, and completely rent-free. You just have to pay the taxes which are super low, by the way.” Macy took in a breath. “And I researched the schools. They’ve got really good ratings. And I know it’s about twenty minutes away, but we know people in Turnersville, so if anything happened, there would be someone with Emme until one of us could get there.”

  “Mace.”

  Guilt trip time.

  “And not to put pressure on you but eventually, Rourke and I are gonna have kids, probably a few. And when that happens, we’re gonna need time alone, possibly to make another baby.” She smiled with a shrug. “And if you’re next door, I can send my crew over there. You’d be doing me a favor.”

  Trini laughed through her tears.

  She grasped Trini’s hand and pulled her closer. “I’m an only child except for my fake stepbrothers, and I’ll save that story for another time but,” she chuckled, “you being Rourke’s sister and me being in love with him kind of makes us somehow crazy, weird sisters.”

  Trini glanced up, and Macy knew she had her. Almost.

  “And as your fake, crazy, weird and not real sister, I feel it’s my duty to say this.” She reached over cupping Trini’s cheek. “You deserve better than what you have here. Ya hear me?” She jutted up her chin, forcing Trini to look her in the eyes. She needed to not only hear it but see it. “You deserve a better life for you and Emme. And for just you?” She tilted her head. “You deserve someone who’s going to love you and be faithful.”

  Trini glanced down at the plans on the table with a heavy sigh. “He’s my husband.”