Page 20 of On The Rocks

Callum’s face settled into a thunderous expression.

Liam’s hand covered mine, squeezing while he murmured, “It’ll be okay, Mae. You’ll see.”

I glanced at him, my heart in shreds because right then, it didn’t feel like it.

In fact, it felt as if I was standing on the ledge of a skyscraper, and the only way down was to jump into the unknown, not knowing if something would break my fall or if I was about to splatter to my death.

CHAPTER 5

CALLUM

The next week flew by in a haze of church meetings, suit fittings, and family dinners.

Mam and Aislynn flew into New York. They wanted to get to know Maeve and make sure I had my shit together, which, frankly, I didn’t. I mostly met with Paddy to ensure business matters were in hand.

It was Thursday, the day before I was about to say my nuptials and Donovan and Tadhg’s flight was due at any minute. They were coming for the wedding and my bachelor party that night, the same Bachelor party I didn’t want to even attend.

It wasn’t like this was a real wedding, and it wouldn’t be a real marriage, so I didn’t see why I couldn’t just grab Maeve and a couple of witnesses and go to City Hall.

Instead, Mam and Aislynn took Maeve to every store in New York to try on dresses and do bridal shit, and every conversation centered around a ceremony I had no interest in.

Honestly, I was surprised I didn’t bolt. I stayed because the night I went to Paddy to formally agree to the marriage, I saw Shannon trip Maeve down the stairs, and I almost blew up. If Patrick hadn’t taken his bitch daughter in hand and called herout, I would have, except I would’ve taken her by the arm and thrown her through the door after I cussed her ass the fuck out.

The instant Maeve aimed her huge, bright blue gaze at me, I couldn’t breathe. I’d never seen her without her thick glasses, so I’d never noticed how stunning her eyes were.

When I was a boy, I saw a picture of the planet Uranus, and it stunned me for much the same reason Maeve’s eyes did—it was the purest, other-worldly blue I’d ever seen. The white swirls around the planet gave it an ethereal look. The silver swirling amongst the blue of Maeve’s orbs did the same, and when you added in the hint of violet there, too, they were utterly mesmerizing.

And I couldn’t stop thinking about them.

It was mad how a girl I’d never given a second thought to—a girl who I’d never looked at twice—was suddenly dominating every thought—or at least her goddamned eyes were.

The terminal at LaGuardia Airport, where Donny and T were due to come through any minute, was packed, but I still spotted them immediately. It was hard to miss two good-looking, burly bastards striding through the arrival hall.

“Didn’t take long,” I commented, gripping Donovan’s arm and pulling him in for a man hug before doing the same to Tadhg.

“The joys of traveling light,” T drawled, throwing his large travel bag over his shoulder. His eyes went to a group of three young women who walked past us, and he smiled.

“Call me, Donny,” one of them said with a giggle, throwing my bro a kiss.

“Later, sweetheart,” he called over.

Tadhg shook his head, glaring at Donovan. “He just railed her in the restroom on the damned plane. Met her in the departure lounge and was fucking her two hours later. He’s a goddamned whore.”

My stare slid to Donovan. “How has your dick not dropped off?”

He shrugged. “I always wrap up Big Daddy. You know my motto: no scabies and no babies.”

Tadhg chuckled quietly.

“Well, make sure you keep Big Daddy to yourself while you’re here, asshole,” I told him. “The last thing we need is a war with the Irish Mafia because you couldn’t keep your hands off a mobster’s wife, sister, or daughter.”

He grinned, giving me a mock salute. “At your service.”

“Smartass,” I muttered, heading toward the doors, Donovan’s laughter following me.

After loading up the rental car, I drove out of the airport and through Queens, heading for Manhattan, where we were staying at one of Patrick’s hotels.

My mind wandered to Maeve while Donny and T shot the shit.

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