Page 40 of It Was Always You

“Don’t tempt me. I think your dad might just notice if his guest of honour isn’t at her party.”

“Maybe. But I still don’t understand why we need to make this so formal. Everyone already knows I’m his daughter.” Pulling my wrap over my shoulders, I watch his eyes flare with heat at the way my bloodred bodycon dress clings to my every curve. His eyes linger on my enhanced cleavage before travelling lower and staying fixed on my swollen bump. Over the past few weeks, the bump really has popped and he’s like a man obsessed.

“This changed when everyone saw you come out of there covered in the blood of your attacker. By showing them a glimpse of how strong you are, they’ve seen your potential to be our leader one day. There needs to be a formal recognition of you as the heir. Now come on before I spank your ass.”

* * *

“Welcome everyone. As much as I like to think I’m invincible, over the years, there’s been a few close calls. I was questioned: Where’s my heir? What’s the plan? Tonight, let me introduce you to the future—my daughter.” As the cheers and applause drowned the otherwise silent room, I step up beside Dad and turn to face everyone with a smile.

“I’m sure by now you all know who I am so I’m not going to waste your time with bullshit introductions. I’ve always been a believer that actions speak louder than words anyway, so instead I’m going to make you all a promise here tonight. I vow to always prove my worth and continue to earn your respect. I look forward to the day I take over but for now, let’s enjoy tonight.” Raising my glass of water up, I laugh as they all let out whoops and hollers, making their own toasts. There’s something about being the only woman in the room that fills me with a sense of power. I could get used to this.

“That’s our girl!” Looking at where the shout came from it really shouldn’t surprise me to see Owen giving Cole a noogie while Liam, Aidan and Matt are bent over double laughing.

Getting myself up to speed with the inner workings of the Irish Mafia is going to take some time. But knowing the entire force of the Four Points is ready to back and support me has me wanting to throw myself into the deep end as soon as possible. “Ready to make it official, sweetheart?” The pride radiating from Dad is enough to bring tears to my eyes. “I was born ready.”

He places a locket around my neck. It’s a beautiful replication of their tattoo design, which for obvious reasons I can’t get right now, and as the cold metal settles against my skin, I feel it like a weight around my shoulders.

Not a heavy or suffocating weight, more like the weight of a heated blanket. You can feel it and it has the potential to burn you but as long as you treat it with care, it won’t.

* * *

“You sure about this?” Owen asks as Liam pulls up to The Pit. It hits me once again what we’re about to do. For the first time in Four Points history, an unmarked, female member is about to set foot in their torture chamber—five months pregnant, no less.

“Absolutely. This is what I’ve been training for. Plus, the fucker has it coming to him.” Thinking about how all the hurt over the last few months could have been avoided if Sam hadn’t weaselled his way into my life to spy on me fills me with a fury I’ve never felt before. So when I learned that while I was gone, he had been revealed as a spy and kept captive, I jumped at the opportunity to use this as my way of showing everyone I’ve earned and will continue to earn my spot in the Four Points.

“Listen to your woman, you heard Doc. She’s been cleared to be here, and if anyone deserves to dole out that fucker’s punishment, it’s her.” Liam and his brothers have been some of my biggest supporters along this journey. Shadowing Jonathan and learning as much as I can about the business side of things while I’m more limited on the physical aspects of the job has been a pleasant shock.

Due to the number of witnesses needed today, instead of going down to the actual Pit, Owen leads me around the back of the building. Behind the stone walls shielding this place from prying eyes, at least half of The Four Points are ready to witness my initiation. It should be scary as fuck, but all I feel is a sense of belonging. These men could easily have shunned me for my gender, for my perceived weaknesses. Instead, many of them have offered their support, both silent and otherwise. While I still have a long way to go to ever be ready to take Jonathan’s seat when the day comes, today will go a long way in solidifying my place.

Dipping my chin at the men as we pass them, I lead the way to the front. There, chained to a cross like the sacrificial lamb he is, is Sam. When we pass my dad, Owen and Liam fall back to take their places at his side, leaving me to do this on my own. Spying the selection of tools laid out on a table to the side, I grab a knife that glistens in the sun before walking behind Sam. I don’t know why I find slicing into someone so satisfying, but I do. It might be seeing the blood well up, or it could be seeing the skin split apart as I press my knife into it. Either way, as Sam screams like the weak-ass bitch he is, a grin slides onto my face.

“You should never have crossed me, Sammy boy. Not only did you fuck my boyfriend, but you sold me out. And all for what? A leader who didn’t even know your name? Money?” Letting the anger take over, I drive my knife deeper, enjoying the squelching sounds, before leaving it wedged in his side.

Walking back around, so I’m facing him, I grab the brass knuckles from the side table and deliver my vengeance with five purposeful punches against his ribs.

For every moment of fear, I felt. Punch.

For every bit of torture, I had to endure. Punch.

For the future, I very nearly lost. Punch.

For the baby, we could have lost before we even knew about it. Punch.

I step away and snarl, “I hope you rot in hell,” before taking my gun from my shoulder holster and emptying the chamber into his forehead.

Killing him via gunshot was always my plan, but there was no way in hell I was passing up the chance to lay into him beforehand. As the men let out a roaring cheer and pull me into numerous hugs, I know putting on a bit of a show was the right call.

Epilogue

It’s crazy to think that a year ago, my biggest concern was loneliness, and now here I am, weeks out from my best friend’s arranged marriage to a groom she still hasn’t met while having a three-month-old baby girl at home. Despite numerous attempts and promises, the plan for her to meet him before their big day never happened. Much to her frustration, but she’s still adamant about going through with it, so here we are trying on wedding dresses together.

Owen is such a girl dad, doting on April non-stop, which makes this a tad easier. But still, planning a wedding when we have no clue who the groom is or what he would like is a headache. The only information we’ve been able to get out of my dad is that the groom has said it’s to be Abbie’s dream wedding with no expenses spared.

According to Abbie, this means we’re also planning mine at the same time since it’s set to take place a few weeks after hers.

In her words, “Babe, if we have your wedding already booked and planned, then surely I’ll be able to convince him to delay moving me until after your big day.”

Sounds chaotic, but that’s life in the Four Points, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If it means I get to have my best friend as my maid of honour as well as being hers, then fuck it, bring on the chaos. I only hope her groom is someone who can grow to love her and that she can grow to love as well.

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