Cathal
Shit, this wasn’t the way I wanted to introduce my wife to one of the family secrets. And I knew that if we had a choice, we wouldn’t have let Faolán and his men know about it. Yes, he was now my father-in-law, but we were still determining how far we could trust him.
It was true that your biometrics had to be in the system, or that you had a bypass code, to access the tunnels, but we’d still prefer that only those we completely trusted knew of their existence.
Impatiently, I waited to hear what Alistair had to say. I knew Bronagh was stewing. I could tell by how she held herself when I slipped my arm around her. She didn’t punch me in the face, so I took that as a fair sign.
“Brayden and his people at the main headquarters said that they’ve picked up online chatter.
It seems the word is that a force is headed toward us, intent on penetrating and overrunning the compound.
They haven't heard who this force is or why they’re coming here.
But they were twenty minutes away from us when Bray heard about it.
He wanted us to get under cover quickly.
“We’ll be safe here. These tunnels and this entire setup were built to take a hit from a nuclear bomb.
The president doesn’t even have something better.
There are rooms with beds and cots as well as food stores and bathrooms. We can remain here for a while.
If we decide a move is wiser, we’ll evacuate via tunnels, but we will have to do it in groups, since we can’t have vehicles popping up one after another on the roads these tunnels lead to. I’ll let you know more once I do.”
Alistair put down the microphone. He was immediately pulled into a huddle with Darragh, our three dads, and a couple of Hounds, plus Seamus, Finnegan, and Angus. Bronagh twisted to face me.
“Cathal, we need to find my dad. And you need to start talking.”
“We’ll find your dad and his guys in a few minutes. First, I need you to come with me.”
I scanned the area, then grabbed her hand.
I didn’t drag her behind me, but she came along a tad unwillingly.
I ducked into one of the storage rooms. The light automatically came on.
I locked the door so we wouldn’t be disturbed.
I had a lot to say, and I didn’t need witnesses, especially Faolán.
I whirled her around and pushed her down onto a box.
I sat on one across from her. Bronagh’s gaze bored into mine.
“Do you remember when I told you that there were things I couldn’t tell you until we were married?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Well, this is one of them. All of our homes, actually, all the structures on the commune, have hidden entrances to access a tunnel system underneath the property. And they lead here, to what we call Central Command, CC. And there are other escape tunnels, as Alistair said. We don’t announce the existence for a variety of reasons, as you can imagine. ”
“You don’t like that Dad and his guys know about them.” It wasn’t a question, merely an observation from her.
“Yeah, not crazy that they found out this way, but we wouldn’t leave them up top to fend for themselves. But if they were to talk, it would expose our secret. We have to ensure that, before they leave, they know they can’t talk about this, not even among themselves. They could be overheard.”
“When were you planning to tell me? I know you said after the wedding, but how long after it?”
“I don’t know. I hoped we’d at least get to enjoy a few days as man and wife before I told you. And I need to show you how to access this from our house, where the hidden entries are in the other houses, and on the property. You’ll have to memorize them. We don’t allow maps to be made or kept.”
She sat there thinking it over. I let her. Finally, she spoke.
“Why was Alistair told instead of Darragh? I saw a man run up and tell him. And Alistair, not Darragh or one of your dads, made the announcement down here. Who are those people I’ve not seen before?
The one who spoke to Alistair and those at the computers out there?
You told me there was more than one secret you couldn’t reveal until we were married. What are they?”
“You don’t let a guy off easy, do you?” I teased.
Her mouth twitched. “No, and you should make note of that. Your wife isn’t a pushover,” she warned.
“Come here,” I held out my hand.
She gave hers to me. I tugged her off her box and over to me. I gathered her onto my lap, putting my arms around her. I inhaled her scent, which I found soothing despite the danger headed our way. Even if they couldn’t get inside, the attackers would attract unwanted attention and questions.
“I like that my wife isn’t a damn pushover.
Now, as for what else I need to tell you.
It’ll answer your questions about who those strangers are and why Alistair was speaking.
First, let me say that Darragh is the final voice and has absolute authority, even if Alistair addressed us. He did it with my cousin’s consent.
“Alistair holds a unique position outside the family. He’s my sister’s husband, but before that, he’s been a lifelong friend.
His dad worked for us. When he was old enough and his dad stepped down, Alistair took over.
However, he was raised alongside us like a brother, except in Aisling’s case. She never saw him that way.”
“Wait, I thought he worked in one of the businesses. I never heard for sure which one, now that you mention it,” Bronagh observed.
“He does if he has time. However, his real job is a secret. We don’t announce it to people.”
“Cathal, just tell me. The suspense is killing me. And we need to go find and settle down my dad,” she reminded me.
“Have you heard of the Madraí an Cheartais, Hounds of Justice?”
Bronagh appeared startled. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again.
“Yes, of course. Everyone in our circle and others have heard of them. Most people think they’re myths.
Dad always told me they were very real and that you didn’t want them coming after you.
They don’t give up until the job is done, no matter how long it takes.
Why? Does Alistair have something to do with them? ” she asked cautiously.
“Yes, he does. And so do we. Ranald led the Hounds until he stepped down, letting his son take over. Ranald was Alistair’s dad.”
“And you said that Alistair spoke on Darragh’s authority. So that means…” she went silent as understanding dawned. Her hand came up to cover her mouth.
“Yes, the Hounds of Justice were created by and are backed by the O’Sheeran family, with the ceannaire, leader of our family, Darragh, having ultimate authority over them.”
“Oh, my God! You…the Hounds…How? Why?” Bronagh asked.
“When our dads decided to transition the family from a life of death and wars to something that would be legitimate, we knew that there was still a need for justice. Those who were innocent yet would find themselves used and hurt for all manner of reasons needed protection. And it wasn’t just within the Mafia world.
Regular citizens had their own injustices that often went unresolved.
“Look at how many times you hear about murderers, rapists, child molesters going unpunished or getting very little punishment. Sometimes, despite all the police’s efforts, they can’t get the charges to stick, find enough proof, or the bastards get a plea deal.
Even when our daideo inherited the original Mafia family, something he never wanted, he knew he had no choice.
If he didn’t, someone much worse would take over.
“And Conall was always insistent on certain things never being tolerated. They didn’t force anyone into prostitution.
Rape wasn’t tolerated among his men, nor was child abuse or sexual assault.
Pedophiles were killed outright. If someone murdered an innocent person, they were targets.
And no matter what, the fighting among the families was to be kept between the men unless the women actually caused intentional harm.
We refused to make war on innocent women and kids.
“Those people and situations would continue to need champions, so our fathers secretly formed the Hounds of Justice. Though over the past several years, they’ve done way more work outside of the Mafia world than in it. Unfortunately, the Hounds get far more requests than they can ever take.”
“Chris Brynes and Ivo Doyle were rumored to have been taken out by the Hounds,” she whispered.
“Yes, they were.”
“But how can you know that someone didn’t lie, and you eliminate the wrong people?”
“Because we do meticulous research. Cody does more than IT support. He heads up a crew of techs who dig until we have absolute proof of guilt. Sometimes, if it’s a minor infraction, we may anonymously pass it to the cops, but usually it’s the Hounds who handle it.
No one is erased until all of us are one hundred percent certain of guilt.
It means it sometimes takes us longer than we’d like to take care of things, but it’s better to be sure.
“Bronagh, we don’t tell this until someone becomes an official O’Sheeran. I hope you understand that even though you know, we can’t tell your dad, at least not yet. I’m sorry. I’m not saying he’d betray us, but we have to ensure anyone tied to him closely isn’t a risk.”
Before she answered me, there was a loud pounding on the door, causing us both to jerk in alarm.
“Cathal, we need you two out here. Faolán is about to lose his shit, and we don’t need him tripping offline on top of what’s coming,” Ciaran yelled through the door.
“We’ll be right out,” I hollered back.
“Leanbh, please, I know you probably have more questions, but hold on to those until we’re through this. Don’t say anything to your dad or his men,” I pleaded.
“I won’t. Let’s go. Dad will start tearing up the place if he doesn’t see my face soon,” she said.
I reluctantly allowed her to stand. She held my hand as we went to the door, unlocked it, and then exited. I prayed she meant what she said.
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