Chapter 10 Eian
EIAN
“I know you’re not going to like this, but I’m going to need Seamus to help soon.” At the marked pause on the other end of the phone, I let out a sigh. “Probably in the next few days, Declan.”
“I knew it was coming,” he mumbles. “That boy’s too smart for his own good.”
“I’ll protect him with my life,” I promise, and he knows it’s not an empty one. I’ve protected Declan all his life too, just like Da protected his father.
“I know you will, and hell, he won’t see any real action.”
“He won’t. You know his office is ready here, set up exactly the way he needs it.”
“And he’s a grown man.” Finally Declan sighs, and I know he’s not going to resent me for this, in fact, I think he’s grateful that I waited until now.
At twenty, Seamus is technically an adult, though in my eyes he’ll always be that bright-eyed, five-year-old boy who took apart any device you put in front of him.
“I’ll tell him to get his ass on a train. He staying with you?”
“He can visit you and Kelly for a day, then yes, I think it’d be best if he stays here for a while. If we only need him for a few days, then he can go back to school, and if not . . .” I trail off, knowing this could be a potential problem.
He didn’t need to go to school to learn anything, but both Declan and I thought it would do him some good, maybe even teach him some humility.
It has been good for him from what Declan’s reported over the past two years, but if anything, he’s even cockier now.
Perfect grades, runs circles around every single classmate and most of his professors . . . I’m hoping he’ll know to show some humility around me, though.
“He’s been telling us how he can finish his degree online.” Another resigned sigh, and I feel for him, I do.
Declan always knew his son would be part of the family. Unlike me, he wants his son to have the protection of the Dempseys and never shied away from bringing him in, but this is different.
This is . . . official.
“That’s a good option to have, though I don’t know if it’ll be necessary. I’ll talk it through with him when he gets here.”
“Yes, Boss.”
There’s even a little pride in Declan’s voice this time.
“All good there otherwise?” I ask about the brothel he manages alongside Frida.
“Yeah, though Frida said she’s ready to start thinking about retirement.”
We both snort at that.
She stopped being a working girl a long time ago, but she’s helped us put systems in place at all the brothels so we’re in the best position to take care of everyone there.
It’s been five years since I first approached the subject of retirement with her.
I wanted her to enjoy her golden years, all her grandkids, and spend more time with Celly—her sister.
The answer back then was, “Don’t think I won’t knock you around just because you’re my boss. You’re still a boy, Eian Dempsey.”
I really didn’t want to be on the receiving end of one of her chanclas, so I dropped the subject and haven’t brought it up since.
“So it’ll be another five years,” I tell him, the humor helping both of us after that tough conversation.
“At the very least.”
“The next time she brings it up, have a name ready for her. Someone she should start training to take over, yeah?”
“Already got a list started, Boss.”
“Good, talk soon.”
As I end the call, I’m glad I made it.
It was a gesture, not something I’d do for just anyone, and not really necessary since Seamus let me know years ago he wanted to be put to work.
I told him he better go to college to be sure he was going to be any good for me, if only to delay things a little, but I know this is what he wants.
I could’ve gone directly to him with this, but talking about it with Declan first is a small thing I can do so he knows I’ve still got his back, and that I understand how difficult this will be for him.
With that done, I touch base with Sean, and he tells me he’s chosen the two men he’ll train to take over the other two casinos and that he’s replaced the three dealers already.
I trust him to know best there, so I check for anything that still needs doing before I finish for the day and join everyone for dinner.
Even though I told Nan that Bran and I could join her at the mansion, she insisted we leave it for next week so I could make sure Colby is settling in okay—whatever that means. So Bran isn’t joining us today.
I check the tracking app, where I can find anyone of importance to me, and realize he’s out having dinner at some fancy French place.
Just to remind him that I exist—melodramatic, who, me?—I text him.
Eian:
Don’t order the onion soup if you’re on a date.
It only takes him ten seconds to get back to me.
Bran:
Ha ha
Get a life, old man.
I roll my eyes at him even though he can’t see me, and I refuse to use emojis since I have self-respect and my time is too valuable to go looking for the right one.
Since there’s nothing else for me to do, it’s time to face the music.
I’ve deliberately been avoiding thinking about Colby all day because . . . well, his silence after that mind-blowing orgasm in the car wasn’t ideal in my book.
Complete silence isn’t really what I was hoping for, and it’s insane that I would gladly have taken another barrage of questions from him that would have required me to speak for minutes on end.
That would make me shudder under any other circumstances, but this is Colby, so nothing is like it should be.
I think I’ve given him more than enough time to settle into his thoughts, come to peace with what’s happening between us, and—I have to answer that stupid voice in my head that reminds me of Bran’s words—when I’m sure he’s ready for it, I’ll use my words and explain to him what my feelings are.
It’s only natural that when I see him placing Maggie in her high chair, and that he’s alone, I take my chance. He startles a little when I take his arms and spin him around then kiss him like I’ve been dreaming of all day—hard, long, and deep, exactly like I plan to fuck him someday soon.
“Get a room.” Rory’s voice comes from the doorway to the kitchen, and her emotionless tone clearly startles Colby—he’ll get used to it eventually—but I don’t let go of him until I’m good and ready.
“Had a good day?” I ask Colby quietly, and it feels like I can breathe a bit easier when his dark eyes are on me.
“Yeah, we did.” He speaks just as softly, but after a moment he looks away then shifts back.
“Maggie and I built a castle with those big blocks you got her, Rory, and she’s about to get cranky, so I better get her something to eat.
” I can’t tear my eyes away from his jerky movements, even as it seems he’s dismissed me.
“I hope you don’t mind.” Celly’s voice sounds now, but I still don’t turn to look. “I know what time you fed her last, so I took the liberty of making her some mashed apples and peaches.”
“Oh.” Colby’s surprise is quickly overshadowed by his smile. “She’s never had peaches, but I can’t wait to see what she thinks. Thank you so much, Celly.” God, he’s so nice and considerate, and it doesn’t seem to take a toll on him at all.
“Yeah, thank you,” I say and finally turn to look at Celly. “Please eat with us.” I don’t always ask her, but she knows she’s always welcome. Sometimes she just prefers to eat with the guards in the outbuilding on the other side of the property.
“You just want to know what I know about Frida,” she gently chides me, but since her smile stays intact, I know she doesn’t mind. “I’ll go heat Maggie a bottle and then we’ll eat.”
“Where is everyone else?” I ask Rory, and don’t need to explain.
“Blake was talking to Ryan, who’s on the night shift around the house tonight, and Mac and Duffy were playing one of those dumb games, but I told them to come already because I’m starving.”
Translation: she’s going to start murdering someone if food isn’t in front of her soon, and risking her wrath isn’t something they’re dumb enough to do, so they should be along just about now.
I take a seat and pull Maggie’s chair closer to the table, then grab the bowl of mashed apples and pile up one of the little spoons. I don’t know if Colby wants to be the one to feed her the peaches, so I leave them where they are.
Her eyes go huge at the first taste, and I have to laugh in delight. It’s been so long since we’ve had a baby here, and I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it.
“You don’t have to do that.” The unsure whisper makes me realize what I’ve just done, and I look up at Colby, hating how insecure I feel.
“I don’t mind, but . . . I’m sorry.” It seems like the right thing to say, but his frown just deepened, though he doesn’t look angry. In fact, I can tell there are about a million questions he wants to ask, and since I do miss them, I try to nod encouragingly. “What is it?”
“Nothing, no.” He shakes his head twice then his face smooths over. “If you don’t mind, then go ahead, you can try giving her a bite of this now.” He pushes the other bowls closer to me, so I take him at his word and feed Maggie her first taste of peaches.
“We’ll need about a crate of peaches, Celly,” I say after she reacts by pulling on the cuffs of my shirt with all her might.
Laughter rings out, and it’s then that I realize Mac, Blake, and Duffy have arrived, but when I get a look at Colby’s happy smile—the first true one I’ve seen—I know I did the right thing.
One step at a time, I’m going to win his heart over, and he doesn’t stand a chance, because I didn’t either.
And it turns out, trying to win him over is actually fun.
“All right, she’s down for the night, and I have this brand-new, totally unnecessarily expensive monitor Rory bought in case she wakes up,” Colby says as soon as he walks into the library.
“Good,” I murmur. “Want one?” I gesture to the tumbler of whiskey I just poured for myself.
“Whiskey?” I nod. “No thanks. I can’t handle much more than a beer nowadays.”
“That’s a shame.” I speak without thinking. “I think it’d be fun to see you drunk.”