Page 91 of Dylan
“Then Noah’s big ass farted while she whipped him and Mom gagged, so those of us who didn’t get our whipping yet got to take off,” he says and bursts out laughing.
My cousin Ryan has the type of sense of humor that can drive you crazy or keep you laughing for hours. Usually, I’m one of the ones laughing. However, today, that’s hard to do.
Logan is home, but he’s pissed at all of us. Lunch was a shit show. Brooklyn never told him about Shauna and made the rest of us promise not to either. I understand where both of them are coming from.
I can’t say that I blame Logan for his anger. That scar on his neck alone has brought anger to my blood. My grandda’s deception is still revealing itself to run deeper than anyone could imagine.
He tried to have Logan killed while he was trapped away, lost in that prison system. It’s hard to laugh when I can’t stop thinking about all Logan has lost and been through.
I watched Raven die, and not too long after, my brother was fighting for his own life. I will never understand that man’s hatred. I’m sure he died without a single person grieving him.
“Hi.”
At the sound of the tiny voice, I look up to find Shauna’s big green eyes on me. My mind goes to Ciara and what our little girls will look like. I love that woman more than ever.
It was so much harder to come to Ireland without her this time. In the last year, we’ve been more than happy. Her shop has been a success, and she’s still been helping Taegan out with my shit.
It’s like she never left the gym. Ciarán has shot up and looks like he’ll be as tall as I am, much like his father. He’s become like my real little brother, and I love it. Yeah, I can’t wait to start having kids of my own.
“Hey, love. What’s up?” I say to Shauna.
“Yer my Uncle Dylan, right?”
“Aye, I am.”
A gorgeous smile breaks across her face. She then comes to climb into my lap and wraps her small arms around my neck. I envelop her in my embrace and give her a good squeeze.
“They said my da is here to meet me. I’m a wee bit nervous. Will ya be there to meet him with me?”
“Aye, love. I’ll be right here with ya,” I say and wink as I run a hand over her thick locks.
“Dylan, ya should be in the meeting. Logan said to come for ya,” Jamie says as he appears.
“Ugh, am I the only one not invited?” Ryan groans. “Hey, pretty. You want to come with me to see if we can find your auntie Con or auntie Kate?”
Shauna nods and rushes over to take his hand. I stand and head to follow Jamie. When I enter the room, I look around at all the men inside.
Damn, I don’t think there’s a nationality that isn’t represented in this room. My gaze scans the room as I take everyone in while I remember all the things LaSalle told me about the Alliance. I know for a fact that there are Italians, Scots, Irish, Greeks, Africans, Japanese, Australians, Native Americans, Cubans, Albanians, Persians, Spanish, Dominicans, Russians, Germans, Norse and …
I stop dead in my tracks as I lock eyes with one man in particular. I would know his face anywhere. Laki. Donald Walsh’s friend from the photo.
Felix never did find him for me. Uncle Ronan has been in Ireland so much, I didn’t bother to ask him. I have so many questions now that he’s here in this room.
There are two men on either side of him who look like they might be related to him. If not related, they’re from a Polynesian background as well. I notice they all have similar tats on their forearms.
He gives me a nod. I snap out of it and go to take the seat Brooklyn is pointing me to. One other thing that stands out to me is the empty chairs. I can’t help wondering who should be in them and why they’re not.
There’s nothing but power in this room. It’s in the air. There’s unmistakable energy flowing around everyone. I think it’s starting to set in how much things are about to change.
“Now that we’re all here, let’s get down to business,” Logan says after I’m seated.
***
My mind is blownby the time the meeting is over. LaSalle brought his own lawyers to make this real and binding. That Cam woman looked like she was in as much awe as I felt.
Bobby, on the other hand, looked like it was just another day in the office. My brother and LaSalle have acquired parts of every family’s business in one way or another. Most of the contracts have placed them on the controlling end of the deal. If the Alliance fails, they will make sure the businesses and the families follow.
With their own wealth securing their livelihood, it won’t bother them much to lose any of these interests. The way they have set things up, it would be stupid to go against the Alliance, and few will survive if they try.
