Page 10 of Sweet Vengeance
“As if anyone would question it.” Rory sits on the couch,and I settle beside him.
“Jealous?” Dean asks.
“That you only get to fuck one person for the rest of your life? No.” Not that it has to be that way. Sloan was never loyal to my aunt Fia. I’d like to pretend my dad was with my mom, but I have no way of knowing that. Tiernan is definitely too possessive to ever let anyone touch Dean, and he always hated the way his dad cheated on his mom, so I know he won’t ever go behind Dean’s back.
Rory nods. “That’s what I’m sayin’.”
“Do I look like I’m suffering?” Tiernan asks, then kisses Dean’s throat again, and the truth is, no, he doesn’t. My cousin is happier than I’ve ever seen him, and though it took me a while to get used to Dean being around, I’m thankful Tiernan has him. I just hope like hell that love doesn’t shatter him the way it has so many other people I know.
“You gonna load the bong or what?” Rory nudges me with his arm. It’s already on the table, so he must have gotten it and put fresh water in it while I was downstairs.
Once everything is ready, I take the first hit, the familiar burning sensation settling into my lungs, then pass the bong to Rory. He does the same, giving it to Dean, then Tiernan. It doesn’t take us long to dust the bowl. I lean back against the couch and revel in the calmness I get when I smoke.
But just a few minutes later, Tiernan’s phone rings. I stiffen immediately because we all know who it is. He only gets notifications from his sister, mom, and Conan, who is part of our organization and close with Tiernan. This ring is for my dad. How long has it been since he’s called me? The truth is, I can’t even remember. And while I know that when he calls Tiernan, it’s for business, that doesn’t lessen the tightness I always feel in my chest, whether I want to feel it or not.
He scoots out from being so wrapped up in Dean and answers. “Hey. Everything okay?”
I try to take another hit from the bong, but I’m reminded we smoked it all.
I feel Dean’s gaze on me while Tiernan talks to my dad. Rory and Tiernan know I feel some kind of way about it, but it’s embarrassing that Dean sees it now too. Does Tiernan talk to him about it? Tell him my business?
The hairs on the back of my neck stand. “What?”
“Nothing.” Dean shrugs, but he knows. There’s no doubt in my mind.
Tiernan ends the call, watching me as he says, “We need to go take care of something.”
Rory sits up straighter. “Something where I get to hit someone?”
That gets Dean’s attention, and he’s suddenly on his feet. “I’m going too.”
“Of course you are. Always wanting to fucking fight.” Tiernan walks over and holds his hand out for me. I let him pull me to my feet.
“Do I need a gun?” Rory calls, already heading toward the door.
“Yes,” Tiernan answers. Dean and Rory both head upstairs as Tiernan pulls me closer, pressing his forehead to mine. “We good, cousin?”
“Yeah. Always. Why wouldn’t we be?” It’s not his fault my father doesn’t give a fuck about me.
“Your feelings are valid. Regardless of him, it’s always us. I’ll always be here for you…Rory, Dean, and Ash will as well. We don’t need anyone but each other.”
He’s right. I know he is, and I believe him. If push comes to shove, Tiernan would choose me over my father.
I reach up and hold his nape. “Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for,” Tiernan replies, and we pull away. Just as Rory and Dean come down, he says, “Now let’s go hurt some motherfuckers for putting their nose where it doesn’t belong.”
As much as it shouldn’t be, that’s exactly what I need.
“What’s going on?” Rory asks when we’re in the car.
“Some business shit gone wrong. Rian was blackmailing them, but the motherfuckers skipped town. The dumb fuckers used a card with one of their known aliases. They have a place only thirty minutes west of here. Rian wants us to take care of it.”
I try not to tense every time he says my father’s name.
“Killing them?” Dean asks.
“After we make them hurt,” Tiernan answers. It’s what we do, what we’ve always done, and if we don’t take care of these guys, then others will think we’re weak.
