Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
MAEVE
I heard him before I saw him.
“No need to look so pissed. We’ve just come to show our support for your big, grand opening. You are family, after all.”
I pulled back from hugging Aislynn, my ears pricking up at the voice that sounded remarkably like Patrick’s.
Then Liam’s voice hit the ether, and my breath snagged because as much as I loved and missed those two men, I knew their relationship with Callum was contentious at best. Tonight meant everything to my husband, and the last thing he needed was a Patrick Doyle-shaped cloud hanging over his head.
“Oh shit,” Donovan rasped. “Is that...?”
“Maeve!” Patrick bellowed from behind me. “Get over here and give your aul fella a hug.”
I turned toward him and plastered a smile across my face, crying out, “Oh my God! Patrick? Liam? What are you guys doing here?”
Both men’s eyes fell upon me, and their steps faltered.
Patrick’s eyes rounded comically.
Liam’s jaw dropped to the floor. “Maeve?”
I gave them a low wave, suddenly feeling nervous about the change in my appearance. “Hi.”
Patrick opened his arms for me. “Come ‘ere, love.”
With a huge grin, I let out a soft cry and flew into his arms, gripping his shoulders as he held me tight.
“You look gorgeous, my girl,” my dad whispered in my ear. “I made the right choice with Callum. Wyoming obviously agrees with you.”
I rested my cheek against his chest and snuggled in. “I missed you.”
“Missed you, too. More than you know.” He pulled back slightly, holding me at arm’s length, shaking his head disbelievingly while he studied me. “You look so beautiful. I always knew you were just like your mother. I could see it.”
“That’s so sweet,” I whispered, becoming choked up by his words. “How have you been?”
His forehead pulled together. “Nothing changes.”
My heart went out to him.
I knew who Patrick was, and I also knew he had a hard and ruthless side. I’d heard whispers about his business and the unsavory things that went on. Still, he was the closest thing to a father I had, and he’d always been very good to me. It was almost like there were two men: the crime boss and the man who took me in who was decent.
“Come ‘ere, love,” a deep voice urged gently. “My turn.”
I twisted my body and lunged at Liam, who caught me in his arms.
Out of all of my so-called family, I was closest to Liam. He loved his ma and sisters but also saw their faults. We’d always gotten along well. Liam worked for Patrick, and he was very sharp and intelligent, and also quite artistic. Sometimes, I felt sorry for him; his life had been mapped out, but he had a sensitive soul, and I knew some of the things he’d done had marked him.
“How’ve you been?” I whispered.
“Better now I’ve seen you’re okay,” he assured me, turning his head and whispering in my ear, “Heads-up. Shannon kept demanding to come, and Da eventually relented. I’ll keep an eye on her, but she’s gonna see the change in you and fucking hate it. Watch your back.”
It didn’t shock me. Shannon had always been envious of the people around her. I was used to her narcissistic behavior. It was shitty and the last thing I wanted to deal with, tonight especially, but now I had Callum at my back. I could cope with anything.
I pulled back and went in for a cheek kiss, murmuring, “Thanks.”
His stare traveled down me. “I love this for you. Getting away was the best thing you ever did.”
My gaze flickered to rest on Callum, who was approaching us, and I smiled at him warmly. “Yeah, it was.” My eyes held my husband’s, and my belly whooshed from the intensity of his gaze. I was still struck by the words he said when I walked in.
‘ My heart beats for you.’
How beautiful.
My husband held his hand out for me, and I took it, allowing him to pull me close and slide an arm across my shoulder. I nestled into my place at his side, finally noticing Shannon, who stood staring daggers at me.
“Oh hey!” I greeted her breezily. “Welcome to our bar. Glad you could make it.”
Callum snorted.
Her eyes met his, then came to me. “Nice dress,” she scoffed. “You look like fucking Tinkerbell.”
“Got no idea who Tinkerbell is, but she must be a stunner if Maeve looks like her,” Callum rumbled, kissing the top of my head.
“I agree. You look lovely, kiddo,” Patrick concurred, throwing Shannon a warning look before his stare came back to us. “You two make a striking couple.”
Shannon’s face paled, and I had to stop myself from laughing at her uncomfortable expression. She was so insecure, and finally, I could see through her mean-girl act. Shannon Doyle made out she was so much better than me, but she knew deep down she was lacking.
She hated herself more than she hated me.
Patrick accepted a bottle from Aislynn, who’d gone to help behind the bar, and held it up to check the color. “Maureen said you’ve brewed your own beer and Irish cider.”
“It’s special stuff,” Callum told him proudly. “Maeve smashed it.”
Liam took a long pull from his bottle, and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. “It’s good.” His stare flicked to his dad and back to the bottle, repeating, “It’s real good.”
Patrick took a swig, then quickly took another, and a smile stretched across his face. “My Maeve brewed this?”
Callum puffed his chest out slightly. “Yep.”
His stare came to me, and he dipped his chin. “You did good, kid.”
“Yeah, Maeve’s so perfect,” Shannon snapped sarcastically.
“Yeah, she is,” Callum retorted, squeezing my hand.
Tristan barked a laugh.
I gave Callum’s fingers a return squeeze, craning my neck toward the back hall as the echoes of voices and soft laughter filtered in from the back hall.
“Staff have arrived,” Donovan announced. “I’ll get the security boys set up. Looks like we’ve already gotta queue starting to form outside.”
I checked the big clock behind the bar. “We don’t open for another twenty minutes.”
“It’s a big night for the town,” Tristan crowed. “The excitement has been crazy. The Speed Demons have told everyone about the new exclusive drinks, and you’ve created a buzz just by being you, sweet Maeve.”
A strangled noise escaped Shannon’s throat, and Patrick skewered her with a look. “What did I tell you?” he bit out. “Now, shut the fuck up.”
She cast her eyes downward and closed her mouth.
Tristan smirked.
Callum leaned down and murmured in my ear, “We better sort the staff and get ready to welcome our guests.”
A delicious shiver ran through me at his body’s close proximity and the sexy rumble of his voice.
With the exception of Shannon turning up, tonight had already been the best night of my life, and it hadn’t even started yet. Even if I said so myself, I looked pretty in my new dress, with my tamed hair and perfect makeup that looked like something out of a magazine (thanks to Tristan). Best of all, my gorgeous husband had told me (albeit in a roundabout way) that he loved me, which was kind of epic because my feelings for him were becoming just as intense.
Squeee!!!
Callum guided me toward the doors where Donovan was talking to the bar and wait staff, and the guys working security. “Gonna do a pep talk, then we’ll open,” he explained. Then, after calling all the staff over and waiting for everyone to gather, he began.
“Wanna thank you all for sticking with us while we’ve been closed. I know you’ve all lost out on tips, but if everything goes to plan, you’ll make them up again soon.” He pulled me in tighter and asked, “Are you all okay with the new drinks menus?”
The waitresses and bartenders assured him they were on top of things.
He turned to the security staff. “Any problems, you grab Donovan or me. Nobody gets in unless their name’s on the list or they’ve got a ticket. I don’t expect any trouble. Most of the customers here tonight are people we know, so I think we’ll have a good time.” He glanced at the doors. “Any questions?”
Silence.
He grinned excitedly. “Then all I’ve got left to say is to have a good night. Let’s get to it.”
Everybody dispersed to where they were meant to be, and within seconds, the opening guitar strains to U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” started thumping through the speakers hooked up in every corner.
A frisson of excitement ran down my spine.
It was time.
My fingers slid over my husband’s chest, and I pressed gently. “Wait.”
Callum’s hands rested on my shoulders. He dipped his chin and softly asked, “You okay?”
Staring up at him, I lightly touched his stubbled jaw. “You have a good night, too, honey. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve worked hard for this. I’m so proud of you.”
I swear his eyes misted over. “ We’ve worked hard, Maeve. We’re a team, right?”
“Right,” I agreed with a decisive jerk of my head.
“This wouldn’t have happened without you. The new drinks—well—they’re amazing. It’s all you.”
I touched my fingertips to his lips to stop him from talking. “It’s us . Team, remember?”
He smiled, turned his head, and kissed the inside of my wrist. “You ready, wife?”
My eyes slid to the door.
Despite the cold and the threat of snow in the air, a queue of people waited to get inside. A stab of nerves clenched my stomach, but they didn’t feel debilitating like usual. These were my neighbors and my friends. I belonged here with them the same way I belonged here with my family.
I looked up into Callum’s gorgeous blue eyes, and all my fears melted away. He was mine, and I was his. There was no reason to be scared because he’d proved I could trust him with anything. I knew he’d always protect me the same way I’d always protect him.
“I love you,” I whispered, unable to hold the words back anymore because my heart was bursting with them.
Something shifted behind his eyes, something warm and beautiful. “Love you, too,” he whispered back.
My mouth curved, and I beamed up at my handsome husband and murmured, “ Awesome . Now you can open the doors. I’m ready.”
“We had to grease the fat-assed fucker out in the end,” John Stone relayed to a roar of hysterical laughter. “Took a whole vat of engine grease, and bikers runnin’ up and down that slide for thirty minutes. Eventually, we gave him a hard tug, and out he popped, like a goddamned jack in the box.”
Atlas sniffed, muttering, “Fuckin’ slide was a death trap. Poor kids.”
“Not what you said at the time,” Breaker retorted. “ It’ll be fine , you said. It’ll put hairs on their chest , you said.” He deadpanned. “More like grease on your ass, and not in a good way, either.”
Another burst of laughter erupted.
The bar was packed, the party was in full swing, and everybody was having a blast. The beer and cider were obviously going down a storm because a few women had already lost their inhibitions and were up dancing to the music coming through the bar’s upgraded music system. Everyone seemed in fine spirits, and if the atmosphere in the bar was anything to go by, the exclusive drinks, the refurbishment, and the new image were a huge success.
You could almost feel the electricity sparking in the air. Everybody was so excited to be here. Every table was taken, and the bar was packed with people four deep, trying to get served.
Callum had disappeared somewhere to make sure the band was ready for their first set. He wanted to welcome everybody to the new and improved Lucky Shamrock just before he introduced Dischordium. My husband had kept me by his side all night, or rather, kept every single man under the age of fifty away from me by glaring any time they came too close.
Maybe it should’ve annoyed me, but secretly, I was flattered by his overt jealousy. I loved that he was so into me that he didn’t want another man close. If I could’ve gotten away with it, I would’ve been the same way with women trying to get close to him, except I didn’t have his confidence or his gall.
Talking of which, Shannon had stayed away from me all night—thank God—though it was probably more to do with Patrick and Liam keeping her on a tight leash than her showing respect. Still, it didn’t bother me in the least because there was nothing she could do or say to ruin this night.
Against all odds, Callum and I were finally on the right path. My husband loved me, and I loved him right back, and Shannon bitch-face Doyle had nothing left in her arsenal that could come between us. She’d already done her worst.
A flicker of warmth trailed down my spine, and I closed my eyes to savor it.
I’d never been truly happy before. There had been moments, of course, though they were few and far between. But now, every day was like living a beautiful dream, one that I wanted to hold onto and never wake up from. This was everything I ever wanted, being somewhere I belonged alongside the person I belonged with. It was such a simple thing, but it felt so fundamentally right, deep down to my soul.
“You okay, Maeve,” Aislynn asked from beside me.
I looked up at her, almost startled. I was so deep in my head that I nearly forgot I was in the middle of a party. “Yeah.” I giggled. “I’m just away with the fairies.”
Her stare caught on something over my shoulder, and she squinted. “Are they bikers? They don’t look like any Speed Demons I’ve ever met.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I caught a flash of leather. I couldn’t see at a distance in my contact lenses, but I could make out three big, burly men weaving toward us through the crowd.
Atlas lifted his hand to draw attention to us and barked, “Over here, Pagan.”
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “They’re the Kings of Anarchy boys. It’s a new MC based near Rock Springs. We went to a party at their clubhouse a couple of weeks back. It was grand.”
“Jesus,” she breathed. “I can’t believe sweet, shy Maeve Monroe is going to biker parties. Patrick will have a conniption if he finds out.” She leaned toward me and whispered, “Who’s the one with the shaved head who looks like he’d slit your throat in your sleep? And why do I find him so hot?”
“Oh, that’s Pagan,” I explained breezily as if we were long-lost BFFs, and I hung out with murderous-looking bikers every day. “He’s their prez and very much a ladies' man. Be careful he doesn’t break your heart.”
“It’s not my heart I want him to break; it’s my vagina,” she murmured, craning her neck to get a better look at the bikers, or at least one in particular, weaving toward us through the crowd. “He’s got that Jason Statham thing going on, except he’s tougher-looking and way sexier.”
“It’s definitely a vibe,” I agreed. “But I prefer a nice shirt, good hair, and Irish charm.”
“I don’t want to wed him, Maeve,” Aislynn said.
“Good. He’s a criminal,” I pointed out.
“So’s your da,” she bit back.
I shrugged nonchalantly. “True that.”
We looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“That’s what I like to see,” a deep voice rasped. “Nothing makes a beautiful woman even more gorgeous than seeing her laugh.”
My eyes lifted to see Pagan beside us with Bootneck by his side.
“Hey!” I cried, leaning up to give him a tight hug. “How was your journey?”
“Cold,” he replied, holding his freezing hands up and touching my face.
I jumped when I heard Callum shout, “Hey!” Craning my neck, I watched him work his way through the crowd toward us. My husband reached out, grabbed my hand, and pulled me hard against his body.
“Baby,” I breathed, rubbing his hard, flat stomach comfortingly. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not,” he argued, throwing Pagan a glower. “Nobody touches Maeve but me.”
My throat emitted a weird squeak.
The other man threw his head back and laughed.
“Oh my God,” Aislynn cried, slapping Callum’s arm. “What the hell’s going on with you? Why are you acting the maggot?”
I brought a hand up to cover my laugh.
“Don’t like people touching her,” Callum retorted sullenly.
“Fucking eejit,” Ash muttered, turning to Pagan. “Excuse my brother. He’s gone loo-lah over his wife.”
Soulful brown eyes studied Callum’s arm pulling me into his side possessively, and Pagan turned to Aislynn, his smile big, white, and dazzling. Thrusting a hand out, his gaze traveled my sister-in-law from top to toe. “I’m Pagan.”
Ash blushed prettily and placed her fingers in his. “Aislynn.”
With his eyes fixated on hers, Pagan brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them. “Wanna drink?”
More red stained her cheeks, and she nodded shyly.
Callum’s gaze darted between his sister and her new admirer. “For fuck’s sake,” he muttered.
“Leave her alone,” I hissed. “She thinks he looks like Jason Statham.”
Pagan’s grin widened.
Ash’s eyes bugged out and she sent me a glare.
I grimaced
Shit! Where was my chill? “Sorry!”
Callum tugged my hand to pull me away, bending low to murmur so only I could hear, “As much as I fucking detest the thought of my sister getting to know that fucking bogger , I gotta get you away for Ash’s sake.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” I winced, then, catching movement from the corner of my eyes, I glanced at the stage where the boys of Dischordium were strapping their instruments on and getting ready for their set. The hairs stood up on my neck as a buzz of anticipation went through the crowd.
“I love this,” I told him, my tone threaded with excitement. “I love the electricity, the atmosphere, and the sexy vibe.” My eyes lifted to meet his, and I touched his jaw. “We did it, didn’t we, baby?”
His fingers curled around my nape, and he dropped a kiss on my lips, “Only time will tell, wife, but if tonight’s any indication, we’ll be okay. Takings are through the roof. We’ve already started on the cider we allocated for next weekend, and the beer’s getting low, too, and the night’s still young.”
“Awesome!” I breathed.
Callum's lips tipped up, and he pulled me toward the bar. “Come on. It’s time.”
“Time for what?”
He pulled me to the stage and grabbed a radio mike from Noah, then we moved to the bar. Turning, he grabbed my hips and lifted me up onto the counter. Then, placing a hand on the wood, he vaulted up and landed next to me. His arm slipped around my waist, and he turned the mike on, holding it to his mouth.
The music lowered, and Callum’s voice came through the speakers.
“Good evening, all.”
The loud chatter dissipated, and every eye turned toward us as whoops and hollers filled the air.
“Welcome,” he greeted. “I hope you’re all enjoying the booze and the craic.”
A roar went up, so loud I thought the roof would lift up. Giggling, I snuggled into Callum’s side.
His fingers clasped my bare arm, and he glanced down at me. “My wife and I—” He chuckled as he got cut off by a barrage of deafening wolf whistles ringing through the ether.
He looked down at me and waggled his eyebrows, causing another bubble of laughter to escape my throat.
Callum shook his head good-naturedly, watching the crowd and waiting for them to calm themselves. When the din eventually quietened, he kissed my temple and continued, “My gorgeous wife and I would like to say, fáilte . Welcome. We’re happy to have you, and I know my aul fella will be somewhere smiling with us and having a grand old time, too.” He paused, and I could tell he was unexpectedly overcome with emotion.
Squeezing Callum’s knee, I rubbed it comfortingly, trying to give him some encouragement.
He composed himself and cleared his throat. “I’d like to call the rest of my family over here to raise a glass to our da.” He looked around the bar. “Where are they?”
Tadhg appeared by my side with a tray full of shots, closely followed by Donovan and Aislynn. We all took a glass and stood together as a family.
“ Do Lorcan. For Lorcan,” Callum choked out, and we all downed our shots.
I coughed at the burn of the whiskey that scalded my chest, tears hitting my eyes as the crowd solemnly repeated, “For Lorcan,” before taking a drink.
Callum slammed his glass on the bar, placed a hand on it, and vaulted up onto the countertop, standing tall over our guests. He held his arms out and yelled, “Welcome to the Lucky Shamrock, where your troubles be less and your blessings be more.”
Another roar went up, and my husband pointed toward the stage with a theatrical flourish. “Please put your hands together for... Dischordium .”
Squeals and shouts went up, and my heart soared at the quiet tap of drumsticks. The slap of the bass thumped through my body, and Blue came straight in with the wail of his lead guitar.
“Hey,” Noah’s deep, husky voice echoed over the music. “The O’Sheas wish you all a warm welcome.”
Screams and catcalls filled the air as the crowd yelled back.
“Lemme introduce you to the band. Meet Styx, Blue, Griff, and Jax, I’m Carbine, aka Noah, but you know us better as... Dischordium.”
My pulse thrummed as the band began to carve out a sweet melody, layering it over the slapping bass guitar. The song was one I’d heard recently on the radio called “Honeypie,” and I couldn’t help nodding my head in time to the funky bassline.
Callum jumped down from the bar, reached up to hold me by the waist, and lifted me back onto my feet. “You okay?” he asked.
“I loved your speech,” I shouted over the booming thud of bass. “Your da would be in his element.”
“Yeah. The aul fella would’ve loved this,” he rumbled, slipping his arm across my shoulder and pulling me to his side. The dance floor was already filling up with people enjoying themselves, and I smiled at Carbine strutting across the stage and shaking his ass while he belted out the song as if he was Mick Jagger.
I rolled up on my toes and whispered, “It’s a fabulous night.”
Callum's nose skimmed mine softly. “It’s everything I ever wanted, Maeve. I couldn’t have dreamed for better.” The intensity behind his eyes told me he wasn’t talking about the bar, and my heart swelled with emotion for my husband.
I shoved my face into his neck. “This is only the beginning, Callum O’Shea.” My hand rested over his heart until I felt it thudding against my palm, sure and steady, just like my husband himself.
The moment was perfect, and the night was turning out to be everything we always wanted it to be. But most importantly, we were surrounded by friends and family, all the people closest to us who wanted us to succeed and be happy.
However, little did I know that one person was watching and waiting for their opportunity to bring everything crashing down.
I should’ve realized; I mean, it was me we were talking about. Of course my happiness wouldn’t last because good things just didn’t happen in my life.
Not ever.