Chapter 24
Old Friends
Deja
He has done it again. Just when I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love with him anymore, he goes and has a helicopter fly us to Belfast.
My cheeks are hurting from smiling so much as we ride in the chopper. Cole places his hand into the split in my dress and rests it on my upper thigh. I look at him and stare into his green eyes as I catch him watching me closely.
“What are we going to do when we get there?” I ask.
He smiles and shakes his head. I poke my tongue out at him, causing him to laugh. His voice rumbles through the headphones in answer.
“Go on, keep yer secrets. We’ll see how far that gets ya.”
Something crosses his face quickly. The next thing I know, my back is pressed to the cool window behind me and he’s devouring my lips. I tangle my fingers in his hair and open for him.
When he pulls away, both our chests are heaving. I don’t know where that came from, but … wow. He sits back in his seat and tugs at his jacket, then fixes the rest of his clothes.
I clear my throat and place a hand on my belly. My mind drifts as I wonder what that was about. Soon, we begin our descent.
I shake my thoughts off, not wanting anything to ruin this night. Cole is a passionate lover. That’s all.
We exit the bird, and he takes my hand to lead me to the waiting car. Excitement fills me all over again. As we settle into the back of the car, Cole pulls out his mobile and shoots off a text before placing the device back in the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
I don’t miss the gun holstered on the inside of his suit. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him wear one. If I’m right, there’s a second one on the other side and one at his ankle.
The reality of who he is is always there. Cole has killed for me. His own grandfather.
My earlier thoughts become silly as that reality comes back to me. This man loves me and he’s doing all this for our anniversary.
“This is all so exciting. I wasn’t expecting any of this. Thanks, Cole,” I sing excitedly as I come out of my thoughts.
“Ya haven’t seen anything yet.”
“How can ya top all ya have already done?”
“Ya will see,” he says with a huge smile.
I move to scoot closer to place my head on his arm and wrap my arms around him. He wraps me in his embrace and holds me close. However, I don’t get a chance to get too comfortable.
The car stops in front of a club. I look to Cole with wide eyes.
I love music and I love to dance. I can’t believe he’s taking me dancing for our anniversary.
The door opens and he steps out. Then he holds his hand out for me.
I place my hand in his, feeling like a princess being taken to the ball.
Once out of the car, we head for the entrance of the club.
I stumble to a stop when a tall brunette in high heels and a black dress comes running out of the club. I stop and turn to look up at Cole, then I release his hand.
It takes a moment, but when I see her smile and her green eyes, I know it’s Kate. I rush into her arms and wrap mine around her. We squeeze each other tight.
“Deja,” she squeals as she rocks me from side to side. “It’s so good to see ya, love.”
We begin to bounce on our toes as we hug and squeal like we’re still teens. I tear up and squeeze tighter. So many emotions fill me. I can’t believe Cole.
This is the best anniversary gift ever. I had been asking a ton of questions about Kate before he left for New York. Now she’s here.
I couldn’t love the man more. I feel bad for thinking he was up to something nefarious after that kiss. I’m so happy right now.
“Oh my God, Kate. Ya look good. I’ve missed ya so much.”
“You missed me? My heart was broken when we came home, and you were gone. I didn’t know what happened. Da said he didn’t know anything. You went with your mom or something,” Kate says as tears flow down her cheeks.
I jerk my head back, her da was right there when Uncle Finlay picked me up. I don’t get a chance to say a word as Cole comes to move us along to head inside. From the tension in his body, I know he wants us out of the open.
Brooklyn
“Everything is ready in the VIP,” Seán leans in to whisper in my ear.
I nod as I keep moving behind DJ and Kate. The smile that has lit up DJ’s face since we arrived at the helicopter has my heart full. This is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time.
Now seeing her with my sister and how happy she is, I know I’m doing the right thing for her. It’s been eight whole months. I’m not going to keep punishing her or Kate.
They miss each other. The two bounce forward while keeping an arm around each other’s waist. I chuckle to myself as Kate towers over my girl.
I can’t take my eyes off DJ in those shoes and that dress. Those aren’t the shoes I sent for her, but I’ll be damned if they’re not perfect with the dress. She looks so fucking sexy.
“That’s yer girl?” Seán asks, sounding like he’s about to get his ass kicked.
“Yeah, that’s DJ. Find something else to do with your eyes before you lose them,” I bite out.
“No disrespect. I didn’t know she would be Black and I had no idea … damn. I see why ya keep her hidden, but I don’t see how ya stay away,” he mutters.
He holds his hand up in front of him when I turn to glare at him. If she weren’t mine, I probably would have the same reaction, but she is mine and I don’t like the thought of anyone else looking at her like they want to fuck her.
However, I know that’s insane because look at her. How can you see her and not think about being wrapped in those thick thighs with a handful of that big fat ass? I’m going to fuck her senseless later tonight.
I’ve missed her so much. I hate being away from her. I’m going to make up for every moment that I’ve been gone this time.
I smirk at my own thoughts. I shake my head clear as I see Kate leaning to whisper in DJ’s ear. I trust my sister.
She has had time to prepare herself not to overshare or tell DJ anything I don’t want her to know just yet.
I have business associates and a few friends here tonight. Only people I could trust with the location and the fact that I’m having this event. My crew from New York is here.
They travel with me more often than not these days. I think it’s best if they learn the new operation. Not to mention, I trust them the most.
“Cousin,” is crooned just as we’re nearing the VIP, pulling my attention as we move through the crowd.
I turn to see none other than Noah Black. I smile and tug him into a one-arm hug, clapping him on his back. I didn’t know he was coming.
“What are you doing here?”
“Kate knew I had a case out this way and told me to swing by. Then I heard some noise that had your name in it. I thought I’d detour to drop in and make sure the night goes as you planned,” he says.
I frown. Things haven’t been quiet, but these motherfuckers have been less bold in trying me. I guess the silence has found the volume.
I look at DJ and how happy she is. I’ll kill anyone who ruins this night for her. Maybe doing this was a mistake. However, I’m not about to live my life like a pussy. This shit is going to stop.
I’m the head motherfucker in charge and they all need to get used to it. I can question myself, or I can accept that I’m going to have to shut this bullshit down sooner or later.
“Don’t look like that. I didn’t come to bring the party down. I’ve got your back. She’ll be fine,” Noah leans into my ear to whisper.
I nod and move to place a hand on DJ’s back. She looks up over her shoulder at me. Her gaze then moves beside me.
“Noah?” she says with her brows drawn.
“Hey, DJ.”
“You remember her?” I say.
“Yeah, I do,” he says and moves to pull her into a hug.
I almost forgot how much DJ used to be around. My life seems like I’ve lived it in compartments. I forgot that at certain points, certain compartments have crossed.
“Let’s get to the VIP where we can sit and hear each other,” I say to everyone.
Kate grabs DJ by the hand and they move forward once again. Noah and I follow close behind them. I note where my guys are standing and shoot them all nods.
We get into the VIP and the music isn’t half as loud. I chuckle to myself as Kate and DJ sit talking at top speed. If you’re not Irish, you’re probably not catching a word of what they’re saying.
“That’s hilarious,” Noah laughs as he nods at the two of them.
“Come over to the bar. We can talk over there,” I say as I shake my head.
I want to give them space to talk and catch up. We turn to head for the bar. Looking around, I can’t help but feel like I did the right thing here. DJ is happy. That’s all I wanted.
Noah and I spend time at the bar shooting the shit and fucking about. I have my eyes on DJ the entire time. She and Kate have been talking nonstop.
I haven’t missed the looks DJ keeps shooting my way. I’m not sure how much time has gone by when Seán comes to whisper in my ear again.
“You have company. He says he only wants to talk,” he whispers.
I look over to where he’s nodding. Devin McCarthy is sitting at a booth surrounded by a bunch of women. I keep my face expressionless.
Whoever invited him can kiss their ass goodbye. I guess someone has shown they can’t be trusted, and now I know what the noise is. This will be another lesson for everyone.
I hadn’t planned on doing any business here tonight and this motherfucker hasn’t said shit I want to hear any other time we’ve crossed paths. He’s always worried about shit that has nothing to do with him. He reminds me of a snake.
“We have a problem?” Noah asks beside me as he follows my gaze.
“Not at all,” I mutter.
I glance over at DJ. She looks so fucking happy. Kate looks happy too.
I feel a little selfish for taking so long to bring them back together. Then I look back at Devin McCarthy and I’m reminded of my reasons for all I’ve done.
Had I known Logan would be gone this long, I would have gone a different route. Now I’m feeling trapped by what I started. I hate feeling trapped.
However, I’m not about to show any weakness tonight. Instead, I turn to head to an empty lounge sofa across from where DJ and Kate are. I take off my suit jacket and toss it over the back of the sofa. My guns are now exposed, but I couldn’t care less.
Fuck the laws here and fuck anyone who has a problem. I dare someone to say something. The law enforcement here has long been under my family’s thumb.
Noah and I sit, and Seán moves to stand beside the sofa. I throw my arms over the back of the sofa, not having a care in the world. Devin nods at one of his guys and they stand to come over.
First rule. Always make them come to you. If you can change the setting and move them away from their original place of comfort, you’ve already won. It’s like a mouse moving in for the cheese.
They’re as good as trapped. Whatever McCarthy wants, he’s not going to get it. However, showing up here to force me to meet with him is going to cost him.
“O’Brien, I was hoping we could talk,” Devin says as he and his guy stop in front of my table.
“Your lips are moving, but you haven’t said shit worth hearing yet.”
“I think that’s one of the problems.”
“Who has a problem?”
“Ya do. Ya come here and try to take things over with your American ways and that’s not how we do shit around here.”
“Um, I see.”
“Do ya now?”
“Aye, you let someone put a battery in your back and now you have the balls of a man who wants to challenge me.
“The problem with that is I don’t give a fuck where I am. My balls hang the same wherever I stand. I’ll smack the shit out of ya here, in Dublin, New York, or fucking Portugal.
“I don’t discriminate. You disrespect me, I’m laying a boot to your ass. So are we really going to have this conversation?”
“Aye, ya need to under—”
The song changes and my eyes lock onto DJ’s. I don’t hear another word this motherfucker says. As “I Gotta Be” by Jagged Edge plays, I stand.
“Is he … yer just going to walk away?” Devin says in exasperation as I saunter away.
I remove my cuff links and pocket them as I go. Not taking my eyes off DJ, I roll up my sleeves to the elbows as I move to the dance floor, where I crook a finger for my girl to come to me.
Deja
I smile as Cole crooks his finger for me to come to him. I love this song. I noticed they’ve been playing a lot of what sounds like my playlists.
I stand and move to the dance floor as Jagged Edge croons about needing to be the one.
When I get to Cole, he pulls me into his arms and begins to sway with me in his embrace.
He looks me in the eyes as if he’s trying to tell me something.
I’m lost in his green gaze as he keeps a tight hold around my waist.
As I smile back at him, I reach for his face to run my fingers over his beard. He nips my finger and smiles around it.
“Thank ya,” I say softly. “Ya didn’t have to do all of this.”
“When are ya going to get that I’d do anything for ya?”
I get so choked up I can only nod. I turn away from his intense gaze because I feel myself becoming too emotional. He kisses the top of my head.
I’m caught up in the moment. However, something catches my attention. The guy who had been standing over at the table talking to Cole is now on the other side of the room speaking heatedly with three other guys.
Then it’s like time comes to a halt. I blink and watch what I’m seeing click into focus.
I reach for one of Cole’s guns, push by him, and fire before one of the guys with the angry lad gets off a shot.
He drops to the floor, and I take out two more who have pulled guns.
Suddenly, I’m grabbed by the back of the neck and shoved behind Cole’s big body.
“Lock the fucking doors. No one leaves until I know they’re all dead,” Cole roars after he puts a bullet in the head of the angry talking guy.
That seems to be the wrong thing to say, as more guys pop out shooting. I fire at one who aims at Cole. I only hit him in the leg as Cole begins to use his body to back me out of danger.
Cole finishes the job, putting two in the guys chest and one in his head. I nearly trip over my dress. As I stumble backward, Noah appears to help me catch my footing. Cole takes out three more guys before he turns to set his eyes on me.
“Go on, get her out of here. I’ve got this. Take my bike, it’ll be faster,” Noah says as he tosses Cole his key.
“Where’s Kate?” Cole demands.
“In the trenches.” Noah nods.
I barely get a glance at my best friend standing in the middle of a gunfight before I’m over Cole’s shoulder as he storms out. I don’t want to leave Kate in the middle of that, but I don’t have a choice as Cole leaves through a back door one of his guys is standing in front of.
Well, I guess the night is over.