Page 108 of Mob Star

“Before my son ever so rudely interrupted his elder—” Saoirse cocks an eyebrow at Seamus “—Kieran enjoys it, and he’s been making the boys’ birthday cakes since they were little. Cormac is the cleanest eater of all of them. He avoids the processed foods that are clogging the other boys’ arteries.”

I look at all the men in the room. None— not a single one from either generation —looks like anything but the picture of good health. Ronan pokes his head back in to say everything’s ready. It’s a lively meal, and I feel like I’ve been part of the family for decades not a couple hours.

When we finish, the younger men gather everything and head into the kitchen. Mair leans back in her chair, raises her wine glass to me, winks, and takes a sip. I hear them moving around, loading the dishwasher, washing things in the sink, and wiping down all the surfaces. Now I get what Finn meant when he said their moms guilted them into not having maids. They can do it all, and I’m certain the kitchen’s spotless now.

Another hour passes in the family room before everyone says their goodbyes and heads out. I sit curled on Finn’s lap in the car. My eyes are drooping shut.

“That went well, mo ghrá.”

I love hearing the Irish term of affection. I curl my toes in my shoes and burrow closer.

“I thought so too. Everyone is so nice.”

“And normal.”

“Yes. I wasn’t sure I should say that. But they are. Is it to balance everything else?”

“Our parents decided when each couple married, the mob ended at their front door. No one can change who and what we are. But our homes are for family and friends. We’re close knit by choice as much as by necessity. The six of us guys grew up more like brothers than cousins. When Colleen died, and Dillan became an only child, he and I gravitated toward each other even more. Cormac and Seamus have each other, and Shane and Sean showed up as a package deal.”

“What about before Colleen died? Were you the odd one out?”

“I suppose I could have been, but Colleen always made sure I wasn’t. She was our leader even though Dillan and I were older. She got us out of as much trouble as she got us into. Seamus and Cormac always came out looking squeaky clean when the seven of us lined up in front of what always felt like the firing squad. No one ever narced on the others. Not even when we were really little and didn’t yet understand that family comes first. We were born and bred loyal. But Cor and Shay still got away with everything. Colleen doled out her own brand of justice once our parents were gone. She was having none of our cousins’ innocent act when she knew they were in the thick of it with the rest of us.”

There’s a tinge of sadness in Finn’s voice as he reminisces. It makes me feel shitty all over again like when I demanded to know if he was married. That car ride seems like a million years ago.

“You would have liked her, little one. You remind me a lot of her. You both committed to a life of service.”

I press his cheek to turn him, so I can kiss his lips. “I won’t ask to learn Gaelic because I’m certain your family is fluent for a reason other than tradition. But what can I call you?”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but Mair speaks fluent Gaelic as do the moms. We’re always conscious of who’s around us. Is there an English word or phrase you want the equivalent of?”

I think about the term he used and practice it in my head before I say it aloud. Moh graw.

“You said my love is mo ghrá. What about sweetheart?”

“Mo chroí is my heart.”

I repeat that one in my head too. Moh kree.

“Mo anam cara is my soulmate.”

I try repeating it. “Moh anum cair-ah.”

“Excellent.”

“That might take some practice.”

“Good thing you have a lifetime. Mo stór is my treasure.”

Moh store. Simple.

“What about something like my darling?”

He chuckles as he pulls out his phone. He unlocks it and pulls up the notes app and types as he speaks.

“That’s the least phonetic of any of them. Mo mhuirnín.”

“Say that again. There are too many letters.”

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