21. Cormac #2
Brennan sets a bottle of whiskey on the table and four glasses. “How the hell did you manage that?”
“I updated her job description.”
He laughs. “You’re one smooth bastard, you know that?”
Kieran lifts an eyebrow. “How’s that going to work? Is she going to come here, and get Scout off to school and then the two of you are going to carpool to the office?”
Brennan chuckles. “That sounds adorable.”
“Why does it matter?”
Kieran shakes his head. “Because this could be catastrophic for the company if this ends badly. It doesn’t seem like you’ve thought this through.”
“What I want to know is why you didn’t come to us for help.” Ronan has been surprisingly quiet all through dinner, and I expected him to air all of his opinions the moment we were alone, but it seems Kieran has taken over that particular role in the family.
“It all happened at the last minute,” I mutter.
“So?”
“I didn’t get a chance to call.” Because I was too busy calling Fiona, but of course, I don’t say that.
“You can’t keep yourself closed off like this. It’s not healthy for you or Scout,” Kieran snaps.
I slam my fist down on the table, causing all of the glasses to rattle. “Don’t you fucking dare tell me what to do with my own son.”
“We’re only trying to help—” Ronan starts, but Kieran cuts him off.
“He is a part of this family. We get to have an opinion. That’s how family works.”
I go to retort, but then I see it in each of my brothers’ faces that they really do care.
If I’m not careful, I’m going to isolate Scout from his own family, and that’s only going to end one way, with him resenting me for the rest of his life.
I run a hand through my hair. “I know. I should have asked you for help first.”
Brennan frowns. “Then why didn’t you? I’m great with kids.”
“Annoyingly, he is,” Ronan mutters, and Brennan grins.
“It’s not that, it’s…”
Kieran huffs. “You can’t leave us in the dark, Cormac.”
“I know, but it’s not just about Scout’s safety. If I come clean, suddenly all of you are being dragged into this mess.”
Brennan shrugs. “So?”
“So, that includes Ciara and Riley and the kids too. It’s not a risk I am willing to take.”
Kieran scoffs. “Always the fucking martyr. Too bad, because that’s not your decision to make.”
I snort. “You’re seriously telling me you’re fine with me drawing a big red target on the back of your pregnant wife?”
“That’s part of being a Sullivan.” Ronan shoots Kieran a look. “Kieran knows that.”
I reach for the whiskey and pour a large glass. “Not like this, it isn’t.”
Brennan huffs. “You’re saying this is worse than Sean O’Keefe or Declan Walsh? Because I’m not being funny, but if we can take them down, I think it’s safe to say we’re good.”
“Trust me, who I’m dealing with… Let’s just say he makes those two look like a pair of Easter bunnies.”
The smile drops from Brennan’s face.
Ronan frowns and leans forward. “Who are we dealing with, Cormac?”
I don’t miss the way he says we.
I should have known better than to try and keep my brothers in the dark. I appreciate their willingness to help without question, but Adrian Smirnov is a whole other level of dangerous. Once I come clean about my link to him, there’s no going back.
I take a deep breath before throwing back my drink in one gulp.
I wasn’t planning on coming clean about Scout’s heritage tonight, but it seems my brothers are forcing my hand.
“Scout’s mother was Nadia Smirnov.”
The string of curses that comes out of each of my brothers’ mouths is, quite frankly, impressive.
“Her father, Adrian, was the one to put her in the ground, and I worry that he will do the same to Scout if he ever finds out he exists.”
Ronan’s eyes widen. “Adrian doesn’t know?”
I shake my head. “No. And I want it to stay that way.”
“We’ll do whatever it takes to keep Scout safe,” Kieran says without hesitation. “You have our word.”
I exhale as I look at each of my brothers in turn. I can see it clear as day in each of their eyes that they would willingly hand over their lives for my son. I know because I would do the same for their kids without a second thought.
It’s enough to make me feel like a complete asshole for ever doubting their loyalty.
“What I want to know is how you managed to bag yourself Nadia Smirnov,” Brennan says, which earns him a slap around the head from Kieran. “Ow! I’m just saying!”
“And Scout? I’m assuming he doesn’t know any of this?” Ronan asks under his breath while Kieran and Brennan bicker between themselves.
“No. He was barely a year old when it happened. I’ve already messed up his childhood enough as it is, I don’t need him to be terrified of his own shadow too.”
Ronan claps me on the shoulder.
“He’s a great kid. I’m looking forward to getting the chance to get to know him.”
So am I.
“You really need to work on your social skills,” Kieran fires at Brennan.
Brennan laughs. “You’re one to talk, or rather, grunt.”
Kieran pulls out his phone.
He scoffs. “Oh, come on. You can’t use a call from your wife as a way to get out of this argument.”
“Hey, little dove,” Kieran murmurs. “Everything okay?”
Brennan makes a gagging sound, which has Kieran slapping him around the head once again.
“Ow!”
Ronan chuckles. “Serves you right.”
Brennan is about to retort when Kieran suddenly straightens.
“Riley, what’s wrong?” The color drains from my brother’s face before he’s on his feet and grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair. “I’m on my way.”
I get up too. “What is it?”
“Riley’s gone into labor.”