Page 119 of The Apprentice
“With pleasure, sir.”
Blood pooled on the floor beneath both bodies by the time I was done. The men were already working on cleaning the mess up when I reached out for Fionn and took him upstairs. When the blood was gone from our skin and we were in new suits, I dragged him toward me and cupped his face, kissing him deeply.
He tasted like the olives he’d eaten out of the jar earlier.
“Let’s go for a ride, boy,” I murmured against his lips.
He shivered and gripped my shoulders with the desperation I saw from him when he was about to come apart under my hands. “Ride? Like on your bike?”
His entire face lit up in excitement. A lot had happened over the last few months, from the bomb, to Fionn working out Diaz’s notebook, to Donal, and then Fionn being injured at the bar fight. Finally, Sloan was arrested and sent to jail. We hadn’t had the chance to just have fun, and because of that, I hadn’t taken him on my bike yet like I’d promised.
“Yeah. What do you say you let your Daddy take care of you for a while?” I kissed the corner of his mouth, catching a taste of the olive juice there. He reminded me of a dirty martini, salty and perfect. I couldn’t get enough of him. I had a lot of years to make up for, and I’d told him I’d do everything in my power to earn his forgiveness. “I’ll make the missed work time worth it.”
“You always do, Daddy Daire.” Fionn slid his tongue across my jaw and nuzzled right under my ear. “You can have me whenever you want me. I’ll just text Conall, and then we can go.”
“Mm-hmm.” I patted him on the ass. “You do that, boy. I’ll get supplies.”
He leaned back and grinned at me. “Why do I like the sound of that?”
I waggled my eyebrows at him, and he laughed. The sound worked warmth through me. Seeing a happy Fionn was worth everything. While I’d hurt him, now I could heal him and give him the world he deserved.
He pulled out his phone, and I went around to my side of the bed—at least, the side I slept on when we stayed at the mansion. I grabbed out a few packets of lube from the cabinet and shoved them into my pocket, then decided to get a few morejust in case.
When he was done, I slid my fingers through his and led him out of his bedroom, down the grand staircase, and toward the front door. Mr. Hopper nodded at us when we passed, his grave expression nothing new, but he’d taken Sloan’s arrest harder than I’d expected. He looked a lot older than usual.
We grabbed extra jackets on the way out and slid them on. It was still cool outside, and it was colder on the bike with the wind against our faces.
Once we were outside, I gestured to the Ducati. Fionn had stayed the night at the mansion, while I’d gone home to handle some business. I’d brought back the bike this morning. “Ready for the ride of your life, baby boy?”
His lips twitched and the late afternoon sun glimmered over his hair, making it shiny. “I’ve already had the ride of my life, and it wasn’t on a bike.”
I laughed loudly. “Brat.”
His grin nearly split his face before he bounced toward the bike with an excitement that had my chest feeling floaty. The boss of the Killough Company was gone, leaving behind my happy boy, and I loved this side of him as much as I did when he was confident and in charge.
The sleek black Ducati shimmered in the afternoon sun, and I stopped to appreciate the fine lines of the vehicle—I couldn’t help it. I loved my toys, but not as much as my boy.
“Come on, Deedee, let’s go.” Fionn waved his hand to usher me forward impatiently, and I shook my head.
“Didn’t we talk about that nickname?” I walked toward the bike. I’d hooked two helmets on either handlebar earlier in the day, anticipating taking him for a ride. I grabbed the deep forest green helmet and turned toward him to place it over his head. I was careful, taking my time to make sure the buckle was securely fastened under his chin. He deserved to be cared for.
“Blah blah. That’s all I hear. Let’s go! Fifi and Deedee, taking a ride on the town. It’s like Thelma and Louise but gayer.” He winked through the open visor, the mischievousness beautiful to see now that he’d transformed some of his former anger and jealousy into confidence.
This was the real Fionn, the man he should’ve been the entire time. He’d grown and spread his wings, letting go of the grudges that had ruled his existence.
“I can’t decide if I want to laugh or spank you later for being a brat.”
“Both. Both is good.”
I groaned and slammed on my black helmet before I slid onto the bike. I hit the ignition, and she roared to life. “Hop on behind me, boy. Keep your arms around me, and remember what I said before. Move with us, not against.”
“Yes, Daddy Daire.” He flipped down the visor and nearly jumped onto the passenger seat behind me. I had to keep the Ducati steady, and I held in the urge to reprimand him, reminding myself that he was excited.
He thumped his hands on my shoulders. “Let’s gooooooo.”
I reached back and clutched his arm before dragging it around my waist. “The other one, too,” I ordered loudly so he could hear me over the vibrations.
He did as I’d instructed and cuddled me, his grip tight as he snuggled against my back.
