Page 18 of Sip
Carl got the fucking message. He probably won’t ever step foot in our house again except at gun point.
Me:Is she doing all right? Any more falls or bumping into doors?
Dots appear. Disappear. Appear. Disappear. She knows what I’m really asking and doesn’t know how to respond. I tipped my hand. Now she knows what I did. I never intended to tell her. For some reason, since we’re apart, I want her to know I’ll always take care of her. Even when that means helping her sister and nephew.
Grace:Nothing at all. She’s been healthy and happy. Genuinely happy.
Me:Good.
Grace:Thank you.
Me:?
Not sure why I play dumb. but I refuse to be a hero in her eyes when I’m not.
Grace:
She’s genuinely happy too. Jesus. What I wouldn’t give to be there with her right now and see her stunning face lit up for me.
Unable to take any more, I shove my cell back in my pocket. Too many fuckers to kill to be wasting time on an angel I can’t have.
I nod to the bouncers who block the doors after letting in the last group of our guys. They’re ready to celebrate and deserve the party. We defeated the Lithuanians, taking back the territory they’d stolen from us. Only took six months for us to ensure their destruction after it took them four decades to encroach on what my uncle built. Definitely a night to enjoy our success and have the club to ourselves.
Niall sits with three of the younger soldiers who laugh at his nose about an inch from the girl’s ass as she grinds on another dancer. He acts like he’s never seen a naked woman before. Hell maybe he hasn’t.
More subdued, Conor nurses a scotch as he slowly winds through the tables, working the crowd. He ensures our men feel appreciated for their hard work with pats on the back and calls to the waitresses for refills, as he doles out stacks of cash for the strippers or whatever they want in the private rooms.
He’s handling the gratitude as well as he supervised the battle so I stay back. He may be second in command, but they should still defer to him as a future boss.
“If you want some company, I’m available.”
A young woman stands next to me, looking up with what I assume is supposed to be a seductive grin. She’s a pixie like Grace but that’s where the similarities end. This girl’s seen too much, heard too much, knows the secret to getting men do to what she wants. At least for one night anyway. Striking yet jaded, she’s a dull version of my girl with all of her innocence stripped away like her clothes. Not her fault but I’m still not interested. I slide five hundreds down the dark wood to her with my fingertips. “Sorry love. I’m working but maybe another time.”
With the easiest money she’s made all night tucked into her little hand, she winks and quickly spins off to see if anyone else wants to be enticed. I should be kicking myself for not accepting her offer. I could use her fake plump lips on my cock and release some of this pent-up pressure and frustration. My dick doesn’t even stir from the thought. We both know who we want. Instead of pretending to deny the truth, I grab my phone and torture myself some more.
Grace:We took second place in the carboard boat regatta! I didn’t end up in the water this time so I consider that a win! Haha! We raised almost $19k this year. Next year we’re going for $25k!
Despite the pounding bass from the DJ, I swear I can hear her cute squeals of delight through her words on the screen.
Me:Good job angel. I’m proud of you.
Grace:I’m definitely not an angel…
Fuck! I didn’t even realize what I typed. No excuse— I’m not drunk or distracted. Just a dumb ass.
Grace:But thank you. You’re the only person who’s ever said they’re proud of me.
Sad but believable. She deserves so much better.
Me:I am. Very much. The most of anyone I know.
There’s so much more I want to say. Too dangerous though. I use the excuse of the guys spilling a tray of lagers to put away my phone as well as my heart. No need for either one of them anymore.
*Grace:Merry Christmas Killian! I wish you could’ve come home to celebrate the holidays with us. I hope you still have a wonderful day with your cousins. I have a gift waiting for you when you get back. Just because you’re not here doesn’t mean Santa forgot about you!
I read the message for the millionth time. It’s the last text I received from her three months ago. I guess she finally gave up. Surprising though after receiving communication from her every single day for one hundred and eighty-four days that she just stopped. Sometimes I answered back. Most of the time I didn’t. But she persevered ignoring my lack of response. Until then. Trying to read between the lines, I can’t figure out what I missed. What made her finally go silent. Especially when she mentions a present. She cared enough to buy me something, but not enough to keeping speaking to me. Damn.
“Killian?”
