Page 47 of The Apprentice
“That’smything. I like a cock in my ass, and I like being manhandled when I’m having sex with someone. But don’t mistake that as weakness. Just because I like to be fucked doesn’t mean someone can fuckwith meor the Company, which I will inherit. If you come for me, I will put you six feet under next to anyone else who crosses me. Daire is my toy when I choose for him to be, and we can play however I want.”
I didn’t miss the twitch of Daire’s mouth. Good. If I was a hole to him, then he was nothing but a dick to me. He could chew on that.
“But you and the rest of the Company men belong to me.” I poked my chest. “Mine. Don’t forget that. If I hear any of you cowards speaking about my business behind my back again, I’ll send you somewhere you’ll learn what being alittle bitchis really like.”
The creak of the door had me turning in time to see Sloan walk in wearing a deep crimson suit that matched the color of Conall’s collar. Behind him, his pet leaned against the threshold.
Sloan smirked. “That explains a lot.”
My cheeks flushed with scorching heat, and I refused to glance toward Daire. I didn’t want to know what he thought about my little speech. “Uncle, I didn’t know you were here.”
“Clearly.” He looked over my shoulder at his men. “Well, you heard Fionn. Get back to work.”
The men scampered like roaches, striding past Sloan and Conall as fast and efficiently as they could. My heart raced, rattling hard against my ribs, and I ran a hand over my chest, willing it to slow down.
“Good job. I would’ve done it with less... language, but well said.” Sloan patted me on the shoulder and walked toward Daire.
Adrenaline pounded through my veins, making it hard to breathe. I moved forward, eager to get out of the room as it pressed down around me.
When I got to the door, Conall grabbed my arm to stop me. He winked. “You had those men shitting their pants. I’m pleased, Fionn. You did good. Sloan was proud of you.”
I didn’t know what to do, but I forced myself to give him a small, tight smile. “Thanks. I need air. Yeah. Air.”
Conall let me go, and I stumbled out of the room and headed back the same way we’d come in. I passed the nurses, andMeredith said something to me, but I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to hear what.
I left through the front doors and froze, sucking in the cold fresh air as deeply as I could. My hands shook as the adrenaline began to seep out of me. Excitement took over. I’d basically told Company men to fuck off. I had stood up for myself and I was walking on air because of it.
Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back and inhaled.Perfect.
When the time came, I was going to dominate. The Killough Company belonged to me. I could do whatever the hell I wanted, and Daire? Well, I would leave him alone and move on to someone who desired me back.
My moment was ruined when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I yanked it out to stare at the name that flashed across the screen.
Mom.
My heart froze and familiar pain throbbed there as I answered the call and laid the phone against my ear. “Mom.”
“I need money.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. Of course she did. “Why?”
“Your brothers are in college now, Fionn. They have needs.” She huffed on the other end of the line and something clattered. “I don’t get paid for another week, and it’s urgent. Can you give me the money or not? I can ask your uncle.”
I stiffened and glanced around the busy Manhattan neighborhood. Everyone went about their day, unaware of my struggles, something I was used to in my own house. My heart hurt, and as much as I wanted to tell herno, I’d started something I needed to finish. If Sloan found out about my stupidity, it would be anotherXin the negative column for me. After my win today, I refused to let that happen. Sloan had given her money regularly since he’d taken me in, but this wasdifferent. He gave her a set amount and never a cent more. I was the idiot who couldn’t say no to her.
“How much do you need?”
10
DAIRE
Fionn’s words played in my mind, an echoing voice that teased me in ways I didn’t want to admit. The confidence was new and exciting, and while there was still an underlying hesitation that I was sure only I’d heard, the men would be fools not to respect the threat Fionn represented. He’d sounded more like Sloan than I was sure he’d wanted, and it was admirable to see, even if he’d admitted we were sleeping together. After my little show at the club, it was only fair for Fionn to regain some of his dignity. I owed him that much, at least.
Ignoring Sloan’s reaction to Fionn’s announcement wasn’t going to be possible, though.
Sloan crossed his arms. “Do you have something to say?”
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. I couldn’t deny what Fionn had said, even though it wasn’t technically the entire truth. Sloan didn’t know as much as he thought he did, because he had no idea about my past feelings for Eoin, and he didn’t know about the situation between Fionn and me now. Falling for Fionn was a mistake. I didn’t want tousehim as a replacement for Eoin.
