Page 25 of Intimately Faithful

Because of Aoife, he could quite easily condone any law being broken if it meant she was safe.

The realization wore heavy on his heart.

He’d worked hard to become a good man.

Did this make him deplorable now?

“This woman and her kid. They’re important?”

“Yes,” he answered instantly.

More than he could ever admit … until now.

It was funny really; he’d put Aoife and their life together out of his mind for years, as best as he could. Sure, she’d snuck in from time to time. Left him sometimes with an ache in his chest that felt like physical pain. Other times he could smile over the memories. But other than that, she was a locked safe within his mind.

She was from that other Danny’s life. The irresponsible teen. The man who thought nothing of hocking a jaguar to take his girl out on a date and a joy ride around the city.

This new incarnation of Danny Murphy, he hoped to God was more responsible.

Time would tell what he was willing to do for the girl he loved.

A few moments later the rumbling sound of motorcycles outside pulled into the small parking bay and not a minute later, Rider and Hawk, also from the Renegade Souls MC, strode through the door. They garnered the same attention as Lawless had.

Danny slid across the booth. But it wasn’t necessary since Hawk didn’t sit, just stood skulking next to the table, his eyes lazily roaming around the room checking everyone out. Rider grabbed the space next to Lawless.

“I hear we have some Russian’s in common, Danny.” Rider reached over to shake hands. Out of the three men, Rider was the more approachable.

“I can’t say I’m pleased we have something in common,” he smiled, and the other man smirked.

“I bet.”

Danny went on to tell them everything he knew, which wasn’t much at all.

“Can we get confirmation of this?” Rider posed the question to Lawless, who only moved his head left and right. “I doubt it, he’s not gonna lay a body on main street. Whoever it was, is long gone. We just have the priest’s word for it that the Russian has been a bad boy.”

“She has no reason to lie,” interjected Danny. Why would she? It’s not as though she lied about being late to work or not paying for fruit in the grocery store. This was murder.

Protective and just a tad sensitive if they were about to call Aoife a liar, he straightened his spine and held Lawless’ stare.

The other man only smirked. “Down, boy. I owe him a favor, Prez. So, can we give him assurances that if Grigori is looking for his girl and his kid…”

“Wait, back up.” Rider interrupted. “She has a kid with him?”

Danny’s jaw grew tighter than titanium. He gave a nod.

“You just landed yourself in a game I don’t think you know how to play,” Rider whistled, though there was no hint of humor on his face. In fact, if Danny was into reading expressions he’d say Rider’s was this side of concerned. “If my boy here says he owes you a favor then we’ll honor it. Here’s what I’m gonna want from you. You keep communication open, understand? If she tells you something, you tell us. I won’t put my boys in danger not knowing all the facts.”

“I have no reason to withhold anything, Rider. I want her protected, lying isn’t going to help. She’s at my house right now. I just need to buy time until I can arrange to get her home to Galway.”

“That won’t be easy if he’s after her as you say. He’ll already have thought to have eyes at all the major airports and docks. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t know where she is.”

“No one knows we’re associated. She hasn’t been here all that long. I didn’t even know she was here.”

“Never give the mob the benefit of the doubt.” Said a calm Rider.

Hawk had yet to say a word.

Lawless drank his coffee and then added. “I’ll get a prospect to hang around your place. Discreetly. You won’t see him. If the bad fish tries to climb through a window then you just have to yell for our boy.”

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