Page 38 of Sip
For the twenty-minute drive, I muse over the idea while I watch her on my phone from the camera in her vehicle. Funny how the original intent was to spy on our team to ensure everyone remained on the up and up or punish them for their disloyalty if they weren’t. Now I can enjoy stalking the most beautiful woman in the world.
She really is gorgeous sitting so dainty with her legs crossed and straight posture even alone in the backseat. I like her being the opposite of me so I’ll have to make sure I don’t wreck her too much and ruin her prim and proper style.
I lose sight of her once they park and exit the SUV to enter the dilapidated cabin that appears to have been abandoned years ago with the overgrown lawn, filthy windows, and tarp covered roof. Just a mirage since the interior is clean and dry. All those years ago, the cottage kept my mother and sisters safe when necessary. Now my wife and children can stay protected too.
Dees is thorough, leaving her to stand in the living room while he checks the entire interior. When he speaks to her, I realize I need to add microphones too to ensure no one ever says anything inappropriate to her. His words must be acceptable— to her at least— and she smiles and nods, seeming to agree with what he explains. Another rare smile crosses my face when she flips the deadbolt behind him. He jogs the perimeter and wades through the tall grass a few feet from the house in several directions. Seemingly satisfied, he heads back to the tiny house, waiting patiently while she unlocks the door. Once inside, he sets the alarm. Now I can attend my meeting without too much distraction.
Ferguson hops out with my nod and races to open my door. Just like in Dublin, I move purposefully yet leisurely. No need to rush. They’ll wait for the boss as long as I want them to. I button my suit coat and walk inside like I own the place— because now I do.
My good friend Hector is the first to greet me. He even has hot coffee waiting for me. I will reward him for his excellent memory. “Thank you, Hector.”
“You’re welcome Mr. King.”
I take a sip. The bartender makes an excellent barista too. The gentlemen sitting in the bar are impatient, shifting and mumbling as I enjoy my drink. Good. I relish them being uncomfortable and uncertain while they wait.
I set the empty mug down on the bar and peruse the consortium. All eyes remain on me. I start with the pleasantries. “Good morning gentlemen. I appreciate you assembling so quickly.”
Appreciation my ass. They’re curious as hell and wouldn’t have refused my request for any dollar amount in the world. Yet, I channel my girl’s manners because her polished demeanor worked on me surprisingly. Might work on them too. If not, I’ll see how they feel about my blade. “Shane is no longer with us. May he rest in peace. I’m in charge now and anyone who defies me dies. All current agreements remain in place unless I tell you otherwise or kill you. Thank you.”
Grace would be so proud. I slide a few hundreds to Hector while the guys jump from their chairs, a clatter of wood hitting the floor as several of the seats topple over in the men’s haste. Despite inciting chaos from my simple proclamations, I ignore the swearing and confusion and denials. That is until Rafe grabs my shoulder to stop me from leaving. No one keeps me from my girl. My response is a fist to his throat busting his Adam’s apple. Wide eyes meet mine as he grabs his neck. I know what comes next and sidestep him bending forward and hurling all over the previously clean tile. Poor Hector. He never catches a break.
I scan the group one last time as they scrutinize me, waiting for my next move. “For anyone else who wonders, I do not repeat myself and I have nothing else to add.”
Pure silence for a few seconds until more arguments erupt from them all over again. I motion to Ansel to come forward and deal with the unrest. I’m bored already and need to find the only person who interests me.
“Ijust can’t believe it.”
Too shocked to cry, Grace squeezes my fingers so tight her grip might hurt if she wasn’t so tiny.
“How can he be…” She clenches her eyes shut as her voice cracks. “…gone?”
“He threatened the wrong person and a bullet to the chest proved that to him.”
Her hand flies to her mouth unable to cover a horrified gasp. I guess that was a little too candid. I need to remember sensitivity with her. She’s too fragile for me to be so direct.
“I mean I just talked to him a few hours ago. When I told him about the baby, he was so excited.”
The despondent smile on her stunning face pisses me off. He didn’t deserve excitement. He doesn’t deserve her sympathy. He never deserved either of them.
“I mean I know this situation was a mess, but we could’ve made it work somehow. I was willing to try. You would’ve tried too, right?” She clutches me again and scans my face, seeking my agreement. “We all would’ve figured it out and been okay somehow. But now…”
Now she no longer has a care in the world since nothing would have worked except for him out of the picture. She scrambles from her cushion to my lap, engulfing me with her heartfelt embrace.
“Oh Killian, I’m so sorry. You’ve already been through so much and now you’ve lost another member of your family. It’s just so unfair.”
Fair. Unfair. Both are irrelevant.
“I know how much you loved your brother.”
My back warms from her rubbing up and down. Sympathy floods through her touch as she offers her comfort that I’m not worthy of yet accept anyway.
“You’re not alone though. You’ve got me and my family. We’re going to get you through this. We’re going to be your support for you and your sister.”
When Dad killed my mom for cheating, he had no choice. When Shane killed our father for letting our brothers be slaughtered and our sister be attacked, he had no other option. Disloyalty and dishonor equal death. The entire family knows this and accepts the consequences.
Until Grace.
I never considered feeling any other way. Of missing someone. Of loving them despite their failures. Of wishing things could be different. I know that now with her. I understand why the loss hurts. And I would never survive anything happening to her. “Don’t ever leave me.”
