CHAPTER 8
LIAM
Not wanting to keep them waiting, I hurried through my shower and got dressed, thinking of Sera and her girls squad and the interesting dynamic they had going on.
And they really did share everything. They hadn’t batted an eyelid at walking into our bedroom where she was naked in our bed. I’d heard the teasing jibes they’d thrown at her and had to laugh. They were amusing as fuck. I’d smiled more in the last twenty-four hours than I had in the last five years.
And I can’t lie; I’d loved the jealousy that she’d shown when she’d thought the girls had been ogling me. It wasn’t that I didn’t get my fair share of attention because I did, but it wasn’t something that I thought about.
Rhett had had pussy thrown at him from when he hit eighteen to the day he met Noni. He’d been the man in charge, and everyone wanted a piece of him. Johnny, well, he had those pretty-boy looks and charm out the arse; he’d never been short of company. Adam and I were more discerning. Adam, because what he’d done while we’d run guns had scarred him deeper than I think anyone realised. And me, I’d been careful because too often I’d been used to get closer to Rhett. It had been easier to not get involved. Sera and her girls were a breath of fresh air. None of them wanted anything from me, and yet they seemed to like me for who I was. It wasn’t often I relaxed around people, and I especially didn’t invite them into my home, but there was something about her girls that said if the push ever came, they’d have my back because I was important to Sera, and she was important to them. I could already tell that they were very loyal to each other. Even JoJo, with her sad eyes that had me wanting to fix whatever had her looking like that. I also knew it would be impossible because the look she carried was the same look that Noni had after she and Rhett got divorced.
I finished in the shower and got my spare sheets and duvet cover out, quickly making the bed. Rather now than when we got back tonight. It was Saturday, and I hoped we’d be back by early afternoon, especially as I’d promised the girls I’d take them to Trunk and Treat this evening. We’d probably stay late at the Crows for the bonfire they had after the event, which was for family and friends only.
It wasn’t long before I was walking back down the passage towards the kitchen, where the five of them had finished breakfast and had made short work of cleaning up. A knock on the front door had me skirting the table and going to open it.
As I’d expected, it was Johnny. I rolled my eyes at his greeting. “Morning, princess,” he smirks, “your chariot awaits.”
“Arsehole,” I mutter, turning on my heel and walking back to the kitchen. I walk over to Sera and wrap my arm around her waist, turning us to face everyone as Johnny walks into the kitchen.
“Ladies,” Johnny charmingly greets the five of them. I stifle a chuckle at the blank looks on their faces as they watch him, all staying silent until he starts to shuffle his feet and casts me a ‘What the fuck?’ look.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Johnny so flustered at not getting a reaction. Most women give him some sort of one. I had a feeling they were fucking with him, and it amuses me to no end.
It was Evie who started, “Is he always so chirpy?” she asks, a look of horror on her face.
“And so in your face,” Billie nods solemnly, waving her hands. “It’s not normal. I think there’s something wrong with him.”
“Hey now,” Johnny protests.
Sera’s body is jerking as she tries to stifle her laughter, and I’m hard-pressed to keep a straight face. Because everything they are saying is exactly what he’s like. He’s a happy guy, loud and always in your face. He’s also charming, kind, loyal, and he’s one of my favourite brothers.
Ange cocks her head to the side while she stares at Johnny, “Mmh yeah, I can see it now. He’s one of those that thinks they’re charming when they aren’t.”
The look of horror on Johnny’s face at Ange’s comment is priceless.
It’s like they’re tag-teaming each other; just as one finishes with a teasing comment, the next one picks it up. I was waiting for JoJo to chime in, and when she did, I couldn’t keep a straight face anymore; I totally lost it.
“He needs some charm lessons,” JoJo nods her head decisively, turning towards me, and, with a deadpan face, says, “Do you and Adam think you can teach Johnny some charm? Because I’m not sure he understands what charming is.”
The laughter I’d been choking back finally erupts. Johnny’s face clears, and he grins at the girls, who were all grinning back at him with amusement, “You’re fucking with me; well played, ladies, well played.”
“You’re just too easy,” Evie snorts with laughter, setting the rest of us off again. “The look on your face was hilarious. Like you were really worried you’d lost your silver tongue.”
Johnny smirks at her and then turns his attention to me. His eyes soften when they take in how we’re standing and the happiness that I’m sure is written all over me. “Now that your harem has had their way with me, are you ready to go?”
“Oo, I don’t think I’d mind being part of Liam’s harem, except that the bitch doesn’t share,” Evie mutters with a cheeky smirk our way.
“Damn right,” Sera agrees. “You lot can find your own men. I have a feeling Colm will be happy to help with that.”
Before they can get into an argument—I’m learning it doesn’t take much for the five of them to start bickering—the front door opens, and Adam stalks in, stopping next to Johnny, his hands on his hips and a hard look on his face as he peruses us.
“Are you lot coming or not? I sent this one,” he jerks a thumb at Johnny, “over ten minutes ago.”
“We’re coming,” Sera assures him. “Let’s go, girls.” And just like that, they file out, patting Johnny on the shoulder on the way out and nodding at Adam, each muttering quietly, “Sorry, boss.”
Adam looks bemused, and I can’t help but smile. I had a feeling life like we’ve known it was going to change completely with the added additions that came along with Sera.
Snagging my jacket from the back of the chair where I’d thrown it yesterday and grabbing my keys off the counter, I follow behind the girls, tossing the words, “Come on, boss, daylight’s wasting.”
“Fuck off, Liam. Fucking hell, if I’d known you’d be like this when you got laid, I’d have kept Sera away from you for a few more weeks,” Adam grumbles. I know he’s not serious because his lips twitch slightly.
By the time we get to the parking, the girls are already suited up and on their bikes, with JoJo in the Jeep.
“Ah, Jesus,” Adam swipes a hand down his face, “the lads are going to go spare when they catch sight of this lot. Fuck me.”
Laughing, I clap his shoulder, “You’re lucky I put a stop to it, but Da wanted to have them over for dinner last night to meet them.”
Johnny chuckles and gets in behind the steering wheel. I go to the passenger side and open it, laughing as Adam walks to his vehicle, muttering under his breath about matchmaking old fools.
Once we’re on the way, it doesn’t take long to get to the office, even with stopping to open the gate and the girls messing around. Adam unlocked and drove through while Johnny pulled over to let the girls out. I get out and wait for them to pass through, blowing a kiss to my girl as she drives past and then laughing and shaking my head as each of her girls blows me a kiss as they ride past. Johnny follows along behind them, waiting for me to secure the gate and get back in. He's sniggering when I sit back in the passenger seat and shaking his head, “Jesus, Liam, I’m not sure we’re ready for those girls. They’re hilarious.”
“They are,” I agree. “They’re not going anywhere, though; the five of them are tight and have each other’s backs.”
“What’s with JoJo? She seems the odd one out.”
“Not sure yet, other than she’s a widow.”
“That’s fucking sad, Liam; she’s pretty young to be a widow.”
“Yeah, makes you think, doesn’t it? Don’t waste time when you’re given a chance at the one who makes you happy. Grab on and don’t let go. Rhett and Noni showed us that.”
He nods his head in agreement, “I hear you.”
We’re quiet for the rest of the journey. It’s not until we park that Johnny says, “I’m happy for you, Liam. Sera’s going to be good for you. We can already see the change.”
“The last few months have been good changes for all of us, Johnny. Finally, after years of shit, we’re slowly coming out the other side. Jesus, would you look at that?”
Johnny barks out a laugh at the scene in front of us. Sera and Adam are standing, watching the shenanigans that Sera’s squad is getting up to. Adam’s got his fingers pressed to the bridge of his nose as if he’s in pain, until I see his shoulders lifting up and down, and I know he’s laughing.
Sera puts her fingers to her lips, letting out a shrill whistle, and I watch in amazement as her girls fall into line, with JoJo bringing up the rear, shaking her head at them.
“It’s like herding cats,” JoJo calls out to Sera, who throws her head back laughing.
‘Fuck me, she’s beautiful.’
Getting out, I hurry to where she’s standing, waiting for Adam to unlock the door. Wrapping my arm around her, I press a kiss to her temple. “You’re gorgeous when you’re happy, mo bhanríon.”
Tunnelling her fingers through my hair, she pulls my head towards her and whispers in my ear, “Thank you, Liam; it’s you who makes me feel beautiful.”
“Come on, you two, don’t make me get a jug of water,” Adam shouts.
“Fucking brothers, I’m sure I didn’t give them a hard time when they met their women,” I grumble, letting Sera go only to catch her by the hand instead and pull her towards the office, saying to Adam, “Keep your knickers on. We’re coming.”
Sera snickers but doesn’t say anything. It’s only when we get in the office that she puts her foot down. “Uh-huh, you stay out here with my girls. I can’t have you in the office with me.”
My eyes widen at her words. I’m just messing with her, though I’d expected it, and had sent a message through to Adam earlier this morning to say I’d show her girls squad around and the stock we had.
Slapping a hand to my chest as if she’s wounded me, “ Mo chroí , you wound me.”
Sera rolls her eyes at me and pushes me towards where her squad is gathered, smiling at us, “Here, take him and have him show you around. Make me a list of whatever stock is there, and I’ll go over it this evening.”
“No need,” Adam says, pulling a sheaf of papers from a folder he’s holding and handing it to JoJo. “This was last month’s stock take, but I’d check it’s correct because we have used some stock, and I’m not sure if the lads logged it out like they should have.”
“Stock room is through there,” I motion down a second passage. Originally, this warehouse had housed two companies with their own offices; they only shared the reception area and the kitchen. Adam hadn’t rented the other part out, mostly because he didn’t trust anyone and didn’t particularly like most people. It would seem he was right because this way we could keep the two companies separate, the bonus being there was a small warehouse at the back that we kept the stock in.
I got to follow on behind Sera’s squad, but I’m brought to an abrupt halt by Sera. Looking over my shoulder at her, a smile curves my lips because she’s tapping hers, “Kiss, lover, before you take off. I’m not sure how long this meeting is going to take.”
O’Shea men aren’t stupid, and when their women demand their kisses, we give them what they want. I’m glad to know that Sera isn’t embarrassed to ask for what she needs; unfortunately, I also know we’d have to keep it short and sweet if we want to get anything done today.
Tilting my head, I press my lips to hers in a soft kiss. Lifting my head, I smile as her eyes flutter open. Pressing one last kiss to her lips, I tell her, “I’ll see you later, mo bhanríon ,” before turning and sauntering down the passage to where her girls are waiting, a decidedly jaunty bounce to my step. Nothing like the love of a strong woman to set an O’Shea up for the day, and something tells me that I’d lucked out and got myself one of the best.