Page 68 of The Apprentice
He hummed, the dimples in his cheeks so sweet I was tempted to steal a taste. “I like that. Daddy Daire.” As Fionn’s eyebrows dipped, my gut dropped. One night wasn’t going to change everything I’d done to him. I had to find a way to reassure my boy that I was here for him. Prove to him that I was in this to the day the last breath left my lungs.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m past the point of trying to keep it casual with you.” I brushed my nose against his. “I’m sorry, boy.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be making up for it for years to come.” His mouth twisted into a devious smirk that reminded me of Sloan. Killoughs had their own special expression that promised retribution, and as soft as Fionn seemed, he would only grow more vicious.
Sloan’s violent tendencies started young, but he had also been exposed to it a lot earlier than Fionn, and Sloan had to step up to take over the Company after his father died. Hopefully,becoming the boss wasn’t something Fionn had to concern himself about anytime soon.
“I’m looking forward to it.” I winked and tugged him against my chest.
He snuggled in closer and laid his cheek over my heart. His delicate fingers traced the lines of my ink, mapping my chest as though he wanted to memorize every inch. Against the morning light that filtered through the bedroom window, my tattoos were a stark contrast to my skin. “What does all of this mean for us?”
“Well, what do you want it to mean?”
“What do you think?” He stopped sketching one of the tattoos and stared at it. For a moment, I wondered if he sawit, a message hidden in plain sight in my ink work. He started to move his finger again.
“I’m right here, boy. You’re mine.”
He snorted. “I’ve always been yours. That hasn’t changed. But do you belong to me?”
My chest went light at his admission, and a fluttery sensation started in my stomach. I really was a fucking idiot.
I’d spent too much time fighting the chemistry that ignited between us. I was ready for the flames and the injuries that came with our forever. If I ever hurt Fionn again, I’d take care of myself because I wouldn’t deserve to live. Then, there was Sloan. If he ever found out about all the years of misery I’d put Fionn through, then I might not live to see another day anyway—ifhe didn’t kill me for the Aodhan thing first.
“Yes.” I captured Fionn’s hand and brought it to my lips, laying a kiss over his knuckles. “I’m yours.”
“Good.” He sighed happily, and my body was wired to his responses. Every little sound he made created a chain reaction, and his pleasure was mine. My skin tingled at how carefree he looked. “You still owe me for all the years of hell.”
“What do you want?” I asked carefully.
Fionn’s eyes sharpened and there was a seriousness that had me on edge. A spike of concern swelled inside my chest. I wanted to hand him whatever he desired on a golden platter, but there were certain things that weren’t easy to give.
“Dad,” he finally whispered. “Tell me how he really died.”
“You know how,” I said. Part of me hoped he’d let this go, but I knew him too well. He’d always craved the knowledge of his father’s death. He wouldn’t give up until he had the truth.
“And you know there’s more to the story,” he snapped in return. He sat up, shoving at my chest. “All I know was that he was shot by a cartel member. I want to know who and why and what happened to the bastard.”
“What you’re asking me to do will go against Sloan’s orders. It was his choice not to tell you.” I sat up in the bed with my back against the headboard. I needed him to understand how serious this was. The repercussions could get him killed, and I’d only just gotten my shit together. I couldn’t lose him.
“Why, though?” He threw his hands up in obvious frustration, a terse line creasing his forehead. “There’s no reason, unless he’s hiding something.” He pointed at me. “This is the only thing I’m asking from you, Daddy Daire. Theonlything. Please.”
I sighed, fingers gripping the short strands of my hair in frustration. I banged my back against the headboard again and stared up at the ceiling, praying for strength to deal with the sad puppy eyes he was currently giving me. Ididowe him something, but this was....Shit.
“It was violent,” I murmured. “What happened was cruel and vicious and your uncle blames himself.”
“Why?” Fionn swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing as he wriggled closer. He pressed his back beside me and leaned against me.
I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and closed my eyes. The image of Eoin’s dead body was seared into my brain as a memory that would never fade. “Because Eoin was done with the Company. He had permission from your grandfather to walk away to be a father and husband.” I opened my eyes again and glanced at Fionn. “He wanted to be around for you, and he could because Sloan was your grandfather’s apprentice. He would be the one to take the reins when your grandfather died.”
Fionn nodded slowly, encouraging me to keep talking.
I shouldn’t, but now that I’d started, I couldn’t stop. I owed him this. “Sloan wasn’t happy that Eoin chose his family over the Company. He’s never had kids, so he didn’t know what it was like to be a father. Eoin... never wanted Sloan to be upset with him. They were brothers. They had always been close.” I glided my fingers over Fionn’s shoulder, nails scraping across his warm bare skin.
“So what happened?” He leaned into the touch, gaze never leaving mine.
“Eoin asked Sloan to forgive him for leaving. Sloan never did. At least, not that Eoin ever knew.” I pressed my lips together for a short moment to gather my emotions. The images that came with Eoin’s death were more than enough to haunt me for the rest of my life. I couldn’t give that trauma to Fionn. “After Eoin left, Sloan threw himself into his work. He hadn’t talked to your dad for months. Sloan was gunning for the Cartel. He pushed their buttons, killed their men, and took their product. He wanted to show your grandfather he was born to be the boss. He pushed too hard.” I sighed.
Fionn’s jaw tightened.
