Chapter 14
14
DAIRE
I woke first but couldn’t manage to make it out of bed. I was captivated by the rise and fall of Fionn’s chest. He was even more beautiful asleep, his lashes long and dark against his creamy cheeks, mouth curved in a hint of a smile that had my heart thundering. He appeared content, lost in a world where nothing bothered him. This was the Fionn not many people had the privilege to see.
I trailed my fingers down his neck and over his collarbone, delighting in the shiver that swept through him. I’d always left after sex, but not this time. How could I have given this up for so long? I was stupid and proud and... me. My role in life was clear—I was the son who always did right .
The good son.
The caretaker.
The one who fixed all the mistakes my older brother made.
The thought of Aodhan made me groan. I had to tell Sloan about my brother soon. Aodhan was still in town, and every time I questioned him about how long he would be here, he brushed me off with a wink. Getting a real answer out of him was like getting through a month at the Killough Company without bloodshed.
Impossible.
My parents still thought Aodhan was the light of their lives, though, because he was their perfect oldest son. If I left telling Sloan any longer, all hell would break loose, and I might not get out alive this time.
Fionn groaned and shifted, his eyes slowly prying open to peek up at me with a half-lidded stare. He smiled and his long lashes fluttered. “You’re still here.”
I flinched, his words a violent punch to the stomach. I’d done that to him, hadn’t I? I broke his heart and made him think he didn’t deserve this. But I’d make it up to him for the rest of our lives.
“Where else would I be?” I kissed the corner of his mouth and smoothed a finger down his cheek. “I’m your Daddy now, boy.”
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 saw it , 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— if he 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. The only thing. 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. I did owe 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.
“Sloan was warned that the Cartel was out for blood, but he never expected them to go for Eoin. We don’t know if they did it on purpose or if they confused him for Sloan. But they took him. We told you that your dad was shot, and he was, but he was tortured beforehand. He was....” I exhaled loudly, and my breath came out shaky. The truth was that I’d never forgiven myself, either. I should’ve done more, advised Sloan to pull back. I didn’t. Bile rose at the back of my throat, and I had to swallow it down at the memories of finding Eion’s broken body. The things they did to him.. .. No child should know that happened to their parent. “Fuck, I don’t think I can tell you what they did to him, boy. Your dad wasn’t recognizable by the time they shot him. His death was a message for Sloan, and Sloan never got the chance to see him alive again despite what Sloan always told you.”
He let out a shuddery breath. “Oh.” He touched a palm to my chest, above my heart, searching for the beat beneath my skin. “Did Sloan back off?”
“Have you met your uncle?” I shook my head. “No, he pushed the Cartel back to the West Coast where they belonged. It was the Reyes Cartel.”
Fionn sucked in air sharply, rage twisting his features. “What?”
“Thiago Reyes’s uncle—Jesús Montero. You’ve never met him because Sloan killed him. Thiago’s father pushed to try to take the East Coast and that’s why Jesús was over here. They thought they could take New York, but they failed. Montero failed. That’s when the rivalry broke out.”
“I didn’t realize it’d been going on for that long,” Fionn murmured, his fingers falling back into tracing over my tattoos.
“Enemy relationships wax and wane.” I drew him closer to my chest and shivered when his nails scraped over a particularly sensitive spot above my rib cage. “Some years they are more dangerous than others. It always depends on how stupid they want to be.”
He frowned. “I don’t know why Sloan didn’t tell me. That wasn’t his fault. It was the Reyes Cartel’s.”
“Sloan antagonized them.” I laid my palm on his arm and trailed it over his skin, petting him in slow, long strokes. “And what they did to Eoin.... I don’t think I’ll ever forget the state of your dad’s body.”
Fionn brushed the dip of my brow, a sadness passing over his face. “I understand. Is that why Sloan took me in? He felt guilty?”
“Your mother couldn’t handle you because you were acting out. So, she gave you to Sloan.” I smiled because if that hadn’t happened, I would never have met Fionn. I trusted Sloan with him more than his mother. “And then, you became his. His son. His apprentice. I don’t think he wanted to give you back.”
“Well, it was a good thing my mom didn’t want me back then, huh?” Bitterness dripped from his voice.
I hugged him tightly. “Your mother never fully recovered after your dad died. She blamed the Company and Sloan.”
“If she blamed him, why did she leave me with him?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “Maybe she didn’t know what else to do with you. The truth is, you have more drive for the business than your dad had. Eoin was good at what he did, but he never loved being in the mob. He never wanted to learn how to be boss one day, which is why Sloan became your grandfather’s apprentice.”
“There’s also the fact that I’ve never been her favorite.” He laid his cheek against my shoulder. “That title goes to Bell.”
“She’s ruined them both,” I said with a shake of my head. I hadn’t seen Fionn’s younger brothers since she left with them, but with everything she’d been asking Sloan for, it was obvious they were both spoiled. “They can’t fend for themselves and never will.” I didn’t know much about Fionn’s brothers. They could walk past me in the street and I wouldn’t recognize them. The last time I’d seen them was at Eoin’s funeral, but I imagined after growing up under the influence of their mother, they were exactly like her. “You won’t be giving them any more money, boy.”
“But—”
“No buts, Fionn.” I slapped him on the thigh, hard, and he hissed. “Your mother doesn’t need your money. She’s a full-grown adult who must learn to take care of herself. She doesn’t need you to look after her, and your brothers are old enough, too.”
“You don’t understand,” Fionn argued, but I gave him another smack, this time even harder than the first.
“I do—better than you. I’ve known your mom since before you were born. So this is me being your Daddy, boy. You will not give her money. None. If you do, I will rat you out to Sloan, and we both know you, or she, won’t like how he deals with it.”
He frowned. “That’s mean.”
“That’s life. She can’t continue to rely on you.” I hooked a finger under Fionn’s chin and tipped his head up before laying a gentle kiss on his mouth. “Trust me, boy, I’m looking out for you. No more money.”
He hesitated but finally nodded. “Okay.”
I smiled, pleased. I smoothed my hand over his ass, fingers delving between his cheeks and teasing his hole with gentle pets around his ring. “I’m going to fuck you again, boy.”
He moaned.
After we finally got out of bed, Fionn said he was going to take a shower, and I made my way to Sloan’s office. Men and staff milled around the house, going about their day and job efficiently. I passed Ronan as he headed down the hallway, and we exchanged short nods in greeting.
When I reached the door to Sloan’s office, I knocked lightly and waited.
“Come in,” Sloan said, voice raspy and laced with pleasure.
I chuckled while opening the door before stepping over the threshold. I wasn’t surprised to see Conall between Sloan’s knees, lips wrapped around Sloan’s cock. Sloan’s hips rocked up, his hard-on driving deep into Conall’s willing mouth as he tipped his head backward against his leather desk chair.
Walking in on scenes like this wasn’t uncommon, especially when it came to Sloan and Conall. Sloan’d had pets in the past, but they’d never been right for him, at least, not until Conall came along. I’d been Sloan’s friend for a long time, and I’d never seen him happier than when he was with Conall. Not that I’d ever tell him that. It was easier to let him work on his own timeline. The man wore armor as thick as steel around himself and for good reason. Being a mob boss came with duties and danger.
I ignored what Conall was doing and took a seat in the chair on the opposite side of Sloan’s desk. I settled in, throwing a leg over my knee while I waited for Sloan and Conall to finish. Judging by Sloan’s quiet hums, he wouldn’t be much longer.
A few moments later, Sloan tensed and groaned low in his throat. His hips jutted forward. Sounds of Conall choking on Sloan’s cock filled the room, followed by a breathy inhale as Conall pulled off the boss.
“Such a pretty mouth, pet.” Sloan stroked his thumb over Conall’s bottom lip and smirked. “Now, go upstairs and wash up. We have some work to do today, and I want you with me.”
Conall hummed and shoved to his feet. He leaned down to kiss Sloan gently before he sent me a wink and left the office.
Once the door closed, Sloan turned his full attention to me.
I cleared my throat. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
He raised an eyebrow and linked his fingers together. “Talk.”
I cursed Aodhan for making me do this. I should’ve told Sloan from the beginning, but I’d thought Aodhan would get bored of New York City and disappear again.
“My brother’s in town.” As soon as my words hit air, I lowered my eyes and head in respect.
“Aodhan?” His tone dropped dangerously, and even though it sounded like a question, it wasn’t. I only had one brother. “Why?”
“I don’t know,” I said with sigh. “He won’t tell me. He turned up at my penthouse and hasn’t left.”
“Hasn’t left?” The creak of Sloan’s chair told me he rose and was probably making his way toward me, but I didn’t need to see him to feel the space of the room disappear and become hard to breathe in. His presence on a good day was menacing; on a bad day, like now, it was downright terrifying. Fear coiled in my chest. “ When did he get here, Daire?”
“Before Christmas, sir.” I held back the urge to flinch. I dropped my leg and sat with both feet flat against the wooden floorboards, hands clasped in my lap like the soldier I was. In the end, being boss came first to Sloan. In a situation like this, I wasn’t his best friend or second-in-command. I was his employee, one who’d fucked up by not telling him about Aodhan as soon as I’d become aware that he was in Sloan’s territory.
“And you’re only coming to me now?” His voice grew closer, and then he was right beside me, nudging my shoulder.
This time I winced. “I was trying to convince him to leave before it became an issue, sir.”
He laughed, and it wasn’t pleasant—the coldness of the sound seeping through to my bones. “You should’ve come to me immediately. That’s your job.”
I finally raised my gaze to meet his. “Sloan, he’s my brother.”
“And I’m your boss,” he snarled, baring his teeth with anger that had a spike of fear shooting through me. Only one person could draw that reaction from me, and he was towering over me. “You made a commitment to me—to my company. Stand up. Now.”
I swallowed and stood as ordered. I turned toward Sloan, keeping my shoulders squared. Now that I was facing the boss, I kept my eyes on him. “My loyalty is to you, but Aodhan is blood. I gave him a chance to leave.”
“Jesus fuck, Daire!”
I flinched. Sloan didn’t swear...ever. This had taken a deadly turn, and I had to tread carefully if I wanted to leave this room alive.
“You’re the one I need to trust. You’re my right-hand man. And you do this?” He surged forward, his fist connecting with my jaw.
I tumbled backward into the chair and over the top of it, landing on the hard floor on the other side. Agony exploded through my jaw, ricocheting through my head, and my shoulder ached where I landed on it. I groaned, touching my fingers to the spot he’d connected with, then rose slowly. I didn’t attempt to retaliate. He was my boss, and I deserved it. I’d fucked up. But I didn’t regret it. Aodhan was my brother , and as much as he drove me crazy, I also had a commitment to him.
“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?” Sloan’s eyes sparked with fury, the ocean blue darkening to resemble a storm rather than the calm sea. His chest heaved and his jaw tightened, the muscles bunching. “You should’ve told me the moment you saw him.”
“I’m aware, sir, but he’s my brother. If you knew immediately, you would’ve killed him.”
“What makes you think I won’t now?” Sloan sneered, stalking close so our faces nearly touched. I was taller and wider than him but not by much. “What makes you think I won’t torture him until he’s inches from death as a consequence for your lies?”
“Because I’m your friend and I’ve been nothing but loyal to you.”
“Until now?” His anger radiated off him in waves, deadly and toxic, and it made it hard for me to breathe. I knew what he was capable of, and if I didn’t talk him down off a ledge, I might not be around for much longer. Sloan wasn’t the kind of person to easily show anger, but Aodhan was a sore subject. He was the only person who could get a rise like this out of Sloan. I could usually handle Sloan’s outbursts, but a new fear stirred to life in my chest. I’d just gotten Fionn back in my arms. I couldn’t leave him yet—especially not this way.
“Sloan—”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out his gun before aiming it at my forehead.
I tensed, heart racing and chest aching, and let out a shaky breath. I stilled and swallowed around the anguish in my throat. I’d been ready for death for a long time, but I didn’t expect it to come from my boss. I thought about Fionn and how angry he would be at Sloan. I hated the idea of the disconnection it would cause between uncle and nephew. He’d never forgive Sloan.
While I’d been ready for death, I didn’t want it to happen, either. I was ready to treat Fionn the way he deserved. To take him out on dates and show him off to the world like he’d begged me to. Now, it was over before it had begun.
“Uncle, no!”
Before I knew what was going on, Fionn was there, shoving his way between me and the gun.
Fear struck me violently in the chest, and the overwhelming need to protect Fionn rose and lodged itself as a lump in my throat. Would Sloan hurt Fionn? Part of me wanted to believe he wouldn’t, but I had no fucking idea. The terror of what Sloan would do to him had me rooted on the spot.
Sloan glared. “Move, Fionn.”
“No.” Fionn stood tall, but his height wasn’t enough to hide my bulk. “What the hell is going on?”
Sloan’s jaw tightened. “Move. Now.”
“What is this about?” he snapped.
“Aodhan.” I sighed. Laying my hands on Fionn’s shoulders, I tried to shift him out of the way, but he planted his feet and refused to move.
“If you want to shoot Daire for that, then you need to shoot me, too.” Fionn raised his chin. Disobedient boy. I would have to teach him a lesson about that later—if I got the chance. Regardless, my heart throbbed at the thought of Fionn protecting me. He loved me enough to risk his own life. I was the luckiest fucking man who ever existed. His loyalty never wavered. “I knew about Aodhan being here, too.”
Sloan stared, gun hand lowering. The anger stayed in his gaze, but some of the danger slipped away. “You don’t know him.”
“I do.” Fionn stepped forward and the tension in his shoulders bled away. “Sloan, Daire’s always been your most faithful soldier. Fuck, he’s your best friend, but Aodhan is Daire’s brother. Imagine if it was Dad. You’d defend him, too.”
“Don’t tell me what I would or wouldn’t do,” Sloan growled out.
“It’s true, though.” Fionn crossed his arms. “Has Aodhan crossed you or the Company, Uncle? Are your feelings getting in the way of business? He could be useful.”
Sloan snorted. “You don’t know Aodhan or what he’s done. He’s a wild card who can’t be controlled.”
“Maybe.” Fionn exhaled loudly. “Please, don’t hurt Daire. You know if there was any risk to our business, he would’ve told you.”
Except I didn’t know why Aodhan was here, which was a huge fucking problem.
Sloan had a stare off with Fionn and time passed as slow as molasses—my breath caught in my throat as I waited—before Sloan slipped the gun back into his holster under his suit jacket. He grunted and glanced at me over Fionn’s shoulder. “You are a lucky bastard to have my nephew on your side.”
I bowed my head in respect because it was true. I’d never expected Fionn to defend me—especially against Sloan.
“Fine.” Sloan’s gaze continued to burn. “You will tell Aodhan he has two choices. If he wants to stay, he needs to pay me a visit tomorrow, and only tomorrow. Otherwise, he has until the weekend to leave alive. Am I clear?”
“Sloan—”
“Am. I. Clear?” He stepped in closer again, and Fionn shifted so he made sure he was between us. “There are no more chances. I’m done with traitors and men who think they can beat me at my own game.”
I inclined my head. “Yes, sir.”
“Get out of my office.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I grabbed Fionn by the elbow and led him outside.
Once we were farther away from Sloan, I spun on him. “What the hell were you thinking, getting between me and that gun, boy?”
He shrugged, a small grin tugging on his lips. “I just got you, Daddy Daire. I’m not letting you go anytime soon.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Concern ate at me, kneading my gut and making it churn. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing Fionn. He was playing a dangerous game. “Never do that again. I mean it. What happens between me and Sloan is just that. Between us. I don’t want Sloan to think you’re choosing me over him.”
He flicked his gaze to the side, then back to me, like he was considering what to say. Finally, his smile grew bigger. “If I don’t listen, will you spank me?”
I smirked. “Test me and find out, boy.”
“I might take you up on that.”