Chapter 24
Are You Crazy?
Ciara
This is my third week working at the gym. Dylan and I have fallen into a routine that includes work, training, and taking care of Ciarán. We’re like a happy little family.
Dylan has continued to take Ciarán to school in the mornings even though he has to wake earlier to get Ciarán uptown in time for class. He has Booker or Aidan pick Ciarán up after school and bring him to the gym.
I was hesitant about that at first, but Taegan promised my brother would always be safe with the two and Dylan would take their heads off if anything ever happened to my brother. In her words, they are willing to die for Dylan and anyone important to him.
It’s so clear to see how important Ciarán has become to Dylan. He treats him like his own little brother. Ciarán has been so happy since we moved in with Dylan. Daliah was sad to see us go, but we text every day.
I’m excited because she’s coming by the gym today. I’ve been going through the inventory list Dylan needs while I wait for her. This time of the day tends to be quiet on a Friday. Dylan stepped out to FaceTime with his brother Cole about an hour ago.
Taegan isn’t in yet. She had to take care of some of Dylan’s other business. I smile as I think of her and look across at the little desk Dylan brought in. It was meant for me, but Taegan took it over and insisted I take Dylan’s desk.
He doesn’t need to be up here as much now that he has the two of us. He spends more time down in the gym or on the couch in here while we use the desks.
My stomach growls loudly, breaking into my thoughts. A glance at the clock tells me it’s time for my lunch break. Deciding to go out for lunch to stretch my legs, I finish what I’m working on and log out.
The portal the O’Briens have set up for all their businesses is so cool. It has a POS system, chats for everyone to communicate through and so much more I don’t even have access to.
I’m enjoying my new job here. I grab my purse and look at my heels, debating whether or not I should change back into them.
Dylan’s eyes were filled with so much lust this morning when he saw me in my tight light blue jeans, black sleeveless satin halter and black six-inch heels.
Remembering that look, I toe off my sneakers and slip my heels back on.
I’m humming to myself as I jog down to the main floor. I get halfway to the front door when a red-faced Cadlha appears. Her eyes look crazy as she looks around frantically.
“Ya,” she growls. “Ya did this. Everything was fine before ya showed up. Ya and that fucking brat he fawns over.
“I told ya to stay away from him, but no, ya went and got me thrown off the team so ya can try to take him from me. Ya will pay for this.”
“Three,” I breathe and drop my bag as I come out of my heels lightning fast.
This bitch thought I was playing. I did try to warn her. She’s taller than me, so I go for her body first, folding her with a punch to her right side before I lay her out with an uppercut.
“Damn,” Taegan calls out, causing me to turn and look at the entrance.
She and Dylan are staring at Cadlha on the floor in a heap as I stand over her, not even breaking a sweat. I nudge her leg with my toe to make sure she’s still breathing after the way I rocked her head back.
She groans and releases a whimper, but her ass is down for a nap. I shrug, turning to step back into my heels and grab my bag to go and have lunch.
Dylan grabs my arm when I go to walk by him. I look up at him and frown. He palms my face.
“Ya can relax. I just need lunch and some air,” I murmur.
A smile comes to his lips, and he leans in to kiss my forehead. Before I can turn and leave by myself, he tugs me into his side and starts off with me.
“Taegan, get her a medic. Then get her ass out of my gym,” he calls over his shoulder.
Dylan
Cadlha deserved what she got. I had stopped her before she entered the gym once I ended my call with Cole. I let her know she was off the team due to her poor performance last tournament.
I didn’t banned her from the gym, but she would no longer fight for me. Now her ass can never enter my gym again. I’d been scrolling through texts and looking at flights in case I have to go to Cali, as Cole and I spoke about.
Something is going on with some business interests of his and a friend of Wyatt’s. Nicholas Lincoln is considered family. Someone is fucking with family, and I might have to take a trip to step in and help out.
Apparently, it’s better if it’s one of us, as the problem knows Wyatt and the rest of my cousins. They’re all too close to the issue. Cole believes they’re closing in on the threat, but he’s calling me in just in case.
I’m a little frustrated as Ciarán has school, so I doubt I’ll be able to take him and Ciara along with me and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.
“What are you still stewing about? I told you I’m fine,” Ciara says as she tilts her head and studies me.
I turn my gaze to her and focus. I’ve been staring off into space. I smile as I think of how well we’re able to read each other.
Our connection is growing so strong, so fast. Even without her full memory back, it’s like we’ve known each other forever and no time has passed. She makes everything about my life better.
“Cole needs me to come to Cali. I might be gone as soon as week after next,” I reply.
“Oh,” she says and looks down with a sad face.
I reach to lift her chin, so our eyes meet again. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but you guys will have the place to yourselves and Book and Aidan will be around. Taegan will check in daily to make sure you guys are all right,” I say.
“We’ll be fine. You don’t have to bother any of them. I’m just going to miss you.”
Leaning in, I take her lips in a searing kiss. I haven’t left and I miss her already. This is going to be rough.
“I’ll feel better if they’re around and I already miss you. I wish you guys could come along with me.”
“Wait, week after next? Ciarán has a week off from school. Daliah and Vega planned his birthday surprise vacation for that week.” She pauses and bites her lip. “Maybe … I mean, if you want. Maybe Ciarán will be okay if I go with you for a few days.”
I search her face with my gaze. “You must really be falling in love with me.”
The brightest smile lights up her face. She reaches to tug at the hair beneath my lower lip, then cups the side of my face. I reach to lace my fingers with her other hand.
“I do love you. I also wasn’t invited on the trip with them. Something about giving me time to myself and that was before I had a boyfriend.”
I stand to lean across the table and palm the back of her head as I kiss her deeply. I fucking love this girl. Beyond a little ten-year-old’s crush.
She’s more than I could have ever asked for. I wouldn’t change a thing about her. Not even that temper.
“I love you too, baby,” I say against her lips as I break the kiss.
Retaking my seat, I pick up my fork and spear one of her shrimp from her plate. I pop it into my mouth and chew as I smile back at her. In my head, I rearrange my plans so I can bring her along to Cali.
A few days are better than nothing. Cole said he needs me there just in case. I can spend a few days with my girl.
Cadlha
“Fucking bitch,” I growl as I stomp into my apartment.
My head is still ringing. That bitch snuck up on me. If it were a fair fight, I would have kicked her ass. Don’t worry, I’m going to get my fair shot. I’ll find a gym and she’ll have to face me.
“I’m going to make you both pay,” I scream at the print hanging on my wall of Dylan.
It’s the black-and-white one Taegan had ordered for his home. I stole the original one that came in and she had to order another, thinking the company screwed up.
I hardly ever invite the bitch to my home, so she’ll never find out I took it. Fucking bitch. I’m so done with her.
“I’m her family. She should’ve had my back. I’ll show them all.
“First, I’m going to find a new gym. Then I’m going to find out where the fuck that bitch came from and I’m going to send her right back after I kick her fucking ass.
“I’m going to make ya pay, ya bitch. If it takes the rest of my fucking life, I’m going to make yer life hell. Just ya wait,” I yell.
I grab my phone and start making calls to put my plan in motion. I know people. Taegan isn’t the only one with resources. The little bitch is from Ireland. Let’s see who she belongs to.