Page 54 of Wreck Me

‘Not a bad establishment, I suppose.’ His narrow eyes dart around at the décor appraisingly.

‘If that’s your way of saying congratulations, then thanks,’ I drawl, taking another sip from my glass.

Declan pulls up a stool between me and my brothers. He’s either very brave or very stupid.

‘I bought the warehouse across the road,’ he drops in casually. ‘Think I might turn that into a nightclub too.’

Rian’s jaw locks and Caelon puts a subtle hand on his thigh to restrain him.

‘What do you want, Declan?’ I adopt a bored tone, shoving my free hand casually in my trouser pocket.

I’m not a patient man. I can’t even pretend to be. Thanks to this arsehole's arrival, I’ve had to send my girl home, and I’d have much preferred to be looking into her stunning face than this neanderthal’s.

His lips purse into a grimace. ‘Back off the Imperial Winery acquisition. It’s not your kind of deal.’

‘Really. And why is that?’

Declan shrugs. ‘Trust me. You don’t want the trouble.’

‘It’s a good fit with our business.’

‘Actually, it’s really not. Find something else.’

‘We had it in the bag until you intervened.’ I approached Lucien Moreau, the owner, long before the O'Connors showed any interest.

‘Semantics.’ Declan shrugs again. ‘The winery is mine. And I don’t like people touching things that belong to me.’

‘That’s just it though, it doesn’t belong to you. Nor will it ever.’ The O'Connors might be ruthless, but so are we.

Acquiring the Imperial Winery is important to secure my position as CEO of my own family’s company and to prove my worth to the Board, but more than that, Iwantthose vineyards.

And Declan O'Connor has the fucking gall to come here and threaten me? I’ll never let him get his hands on the business. Over my dead body.

I’ll work myself into the ground to get this deal done, even if it means playing dirty.

Besides, no one threatens the Becketts and gets away with it.

Declan O'Connor will have to learn the hard way. Wemight like to wear designer suits and drive fancy cars, but my brothers and I are not afraid to get blood on our hands.

‘We’ll see about that.’ Declan flashes a cold, crooked smile, scanning the nightclub like he’s searching for something. Or someone. ‘But if you fuck this deal up for me, I will come after you and everyone who means anything to you. Everyone you care about. I will bring so much heat to your door, you’ll suffocate on the smoke before the flames even get near you.’

A cold, icy tendril curls in my core.

The O'Connors’ speciality is playing with fire. Or at least, that’s what they like people to believe. But one isolated fire doesn’t make a conflagration.

Their father might be doing time for arson and manslaughter, but it could have been sheer bad luck that his wife was in the building at the time.

If it wasn't, they’re all more deranged than even I can comprehend.

‘Don’t threaten me, Declan.’ I eye the security guards flanking the room and glance at my four brothers. The air is seething with anger.

‘You’re in no position to tell me what to do,’ he hisses with a callous grin. ‘Especially when you’ve just sent your pretty little woman home to a big empty house. And where’s your sister and your sister-in-law? Where’s Mammy?’

‘You wouldn't fucking dare.’ My fists clench, white with rage. My house is better armed than an army barracks, but the thought of the O'Connors anywhere near Scarlett sends a shred of panic skating down my spine.

‘Easy.’ Declan raises his hands playfully. ‘I’m here talking to you, aren't I? This is just a friendly conversation between two businessmen.’ He shrugs. ‘My brothers though, I’m not sure where they are tonight. Keith has a vested interest in those vineyards. He has a real thing for French pussy, youknow?’ Keith is the second oldest, and the brother responsible for breaking three of my ribs in a nightclub four years ago. If I ever see him again, I’ll take his head clean off his neck.

Declan picks up my whiskey glass from the table and downs the contents. His weathered face creases with distaste. ‘Tastes like shit.’ He bangs the glass back down. ‘I’ll have some O'Connors’ sent over to you. Can’t have you scaring all the punters away, can we? The first ten crates are on the house.’

---