Page 26 of Her Michigan Mob Boss

“I’d love to see the painting.”

Ciaran moved behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and leaned in close to whisper in my ear. “Then you’re in luck because it’s hanging in my bedroom.”

“Hmm, that is lucky.”

My spine tingled with anticipation as Ciaran nibbled my skin lightly at the place where my neck and shoulder met. I couldn’t wait until we were alone to explore our burning attraction further, but first we had to have dinner with his family. It was why we’d driven out here, after all.

With some reluctance, I shrugged Ciaran off. He grabbed my hand and led me through to the kitchen. As an avid cook, I dreamed of having a space like this in my home. It was perfect. The cabinets were light blue and the stove, which was a few shades darker than them, had eight burners and a massive oven. A vibrant backsplash tiled the wall behind the stove and the floor was a gray marble. Everything was modern, apart from the copper pots hanging on a rack over the large kitchen island. They looked as if they’d seen decades of use. I had similar ones that had passed from my grandmother to my mother to me.

The savory aroma that filled the air was incredible. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until my stomach growled loudly. Ciaran chuckled next to me, letting me know he’d heard, and I elbowed him lightly in the ribs.

“Will, can you grab….?” The woman emerging from the pantry with a loaf of bread stopped when she saw us and set the loaf down on the nearest counter. “You’re here.” The slender brunette, who was unmistakably Ciaran’s sister, crossed her arms over her chest. “Sean said you weren’t coming.”

“Changed my mind.” Ciaran’s response was flippant. I hoped we weren’t putting her out by turning up unexpectedly. “Come and meet Annie.”

Smiling broadly, Ciaran’s sister rushed across the room. She startled me by flinging her arms around me. I wasn’t used to being greeted so effusively by a stranger.

“It’s great to meet you, Annie. I’m Emily.” She stepped back and turned to Ciaran, pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you for the gift you sent.”

“You’re welcome, princess.”

Emily pursed her lips. “I’ll give you a thousand bucks if you can tell me right now what you got me.”

Ciaran hesitated, making it obvious that whatever gift his sister received, he wasn’t the one who sent it.

“Of course, it was a gold….”

“Silver,” Emily interjected, using the same wry tone I’d heard from her brother.

“Silver….” He grimaced as he thought about it. “Necklace?”

“Bracelet.” She slapped his chest. “You’re such an asshole. Just be grateful Marcie knows what I like.”

“Marcie?” I questioned.

“My assistant.”

“More like his second mother,” Emily said. She threaded her arm through mine. “Come on, let me introduce you to the boys.”

As we walked into the dining room, it was apparent that these were no mere boys.

“That’s Sean.” Emily pointed toward a gigantic man who looked as if he wrestled bears for sport. Wearing a white shirt stretched tight over a muscular torso, he had the sleeves rolled up to reveal several tattoos. There was some sort of vine creeping up his arm. At his neck, there was an intricately drawn Celtic knot. He was as attractive as Ciaran, but in a more rugged way. There was something dangerous about him. “And that one’s Will.” The younger man was skinnier than his brother, but next to any other man, his physique would have been impressive. “Guys, this is Annie.”

“So, you’re Ciaran’s girl.” A smile curved Sean’s lips as his eyes trailed over me. “Yeah, I can see it.”

“Don’t even look at her.” Ciaran hugged me close to his side as if he was afraid his brother was going to throw me over his shoulder and run off.

Sean laughed. “Don’t worry, brother. She’s pretty, but you know I only fuck redheads.”

“Well, thank goodness for that,” I said with mock indignation, while inwardly taken aback at his rough language, “because I’d never be able to resist your charms.”

Sean grinned. “And she talks back. I like her.”

“Ignore my dumbass brother.” Will stepped forward and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “He likes to flirt, but he wouldn’t know what to do with a woman if she flirted back.”

“Oh, I’d know what to do, little….”

“Right!” Emily’s firm voice interrupted her brother. “Let’s stop this before you idiots really get going and scare Annie away. Dinner’s nearly ready, so make yourselves comfortable.”

---