Chapter 28
Return to Family
Dylan
Four months and a week later …
“I miss you too. I wish you were here,” I say to Ciara as I pace the grounds of the McGowan property.
I wanted to bring Ciara and Ciarán along, but my father and Cole didn’t think it was a good idea. In fact, my father got this look on his face I still don’t understand, and he wouldn’t elaborate.
Not even when Cole asked about it. I got the feeling Dad knows more than he’s letting on. However, he made it clear this wedding wasn’t the time for Ciara to appear.
“I wish I were there too, but you said you would be home as soon as the wedding and that business trip with your family are over. Focus on your family. We’ll be here when you get back.”
“Hey, baby. I love you. I’ll call you back after the wedding reception when I get back to my room.”
“Love you. Talk to you later.”
I hang up as I keep my eyes on my brother standing off to the side, outside the tent where Toby’s wedding reception is being held. He’s staring down at his phone with his lips pursed in concentration. It’s the first time I’ve been able to get him alone since last night.
I walk over to say the words that have been rattling in my brain since we parted ways. A few things were revealed while we were out drinking with our cousins. I need to say this before it burns a hole in my chest.
“I might have been drunk, but I heard what Carrick said last night,” I say to Cole, sounding as hurt as I feel. “DJ is here.”
Cole hasn’t told me once where DJ has been, but Carrick and the others seemed to know more about her than Cole has ever shared with me. After what happened in Cali, I’ll admit the revelation stings.
He looks up from his phone and locks eyes with me. “Aye, I can hear yer thoughts. I’ve been meaning to apologize to ya. I was too hard on ya over what happened.
“Deja wants to come to the States, but I can’t guarantee her safety there yet. I’ve finally gotten a handle on things here for her to come back to Ireland, but not without a lot of eyes on her and hoops I’m jumping through.
“I was frustrated with the situation and blamed ya for one of my biggest fears. I’d do anything to keep her safe. It’s hard to do that when I can’t give her the answers she wants.
“I’m still earning her trust, which is hard for reasons ya wouldn’t understand. What happened with Bailey wasn’t yer fault. This shit is taking a toll on me, on everyone.
“It’s been two years. He should be home. Until he is, we still have to be careful. Like I said, I’ve finally tamed the bullshit here, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try me. I’m doing what I need to make sure everyone, especially Deja and Shauna, comes out on the other side of this.”
I swallow down my hurt and nod. “You’re doing a great job. Logan will be proud. I know Da is.
“You don’t owe me anything. I was wrong, but it will never happen again.”
My brother snorts and pats my cheek. “Aye, it will. You’re in love. We become blind when we fall. Fuck, I’m walking into walls left and right.” With that, he walks off and joins Wyatt and Noah as they horse around at the entrance of the tent.
Walking into the tent, I spot Granny McGowan sitting with Auntie Cass. The woman has already put away more alcohol than the lot of us combined. Everyone is happy for Toby.
I’ll be hitting the gym hard after this trip and all the alcohol I’ve been consuming. I shake my head at myself and head for the table my cousins have gathered around.
Cadlha
“What do ya have for me?” I say to the asshole across from me.
Arnold has had a crush on me since I joined Roaring Irish. However, I have always had my sights set on Dylan. Although I did keep Arnold close enough to be my pet.
Ten grand and the promise of a date made him not only my pet but my spy. While my cousin back in Ireland works on trying to find me something on that bitch, I’m working my angles from this end.
“Right now, Dylan is away at his cousin’s wedding, but he didn’t take her or the kid with him.”
“That’s it?”
“No, no. The kid, he’s your in. She’s protective of him and would do anything for him. You could totally use him to get her to do anything you want. If you can get him away from Book and Aidan, you can use him against her.
“Tuesdays, that’s when you can strike. Booker drops him off at the gym, but there’s like a thirty-minute window between when his trainer arrives and the time that she’s with Halley.
“Taegan is never around during that time. I don’t think they’ve realized the hole they created during that time since Dylan has been away. Any other time, he’s covered by someone at all times. As long as you pull this off before Dylan gets back, you’re good,” he says, looking around nervously.
He would be nervous. I had him meet me for drinks at one of Dylan’s family’s bars. I want him to be seen here. If this shit goes south, he’s catching the fall for it.
“Do you know how long he’ll be gone?”
“Another two or three weeks, from what I overheard Taegan say.”
“Good, I’ll be ready by Tuesday after next. It will be close, but that’s the soonest I can get things in place. Can ya get him to me?”
“Cadlha, I don’t know about that. Do you know who Dylan’s family is? You’re playing with fire.
“I said I would get you information, but taking that kid is something else altogether. If I’m caught, I can kiss fighting goodbye and I might even end up dead,” he says with panic in his eyes.
I bite my lip and pull my sunglasses down my nose. Giving Arnold a look of lust, I drag my foot up his leg under the table. His pupils dilate and he drops his gaze to my breasts. I lean in to give him a better look down my shirt.
“If ya help me, I’ll give ya another ten grand and I’ll make sure that date I promised ya ends with a happy ending.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll try.”
“Good, I’ll have a car for you and the address of where to bring him.”
Taegan
I narrow my eyes at the screen in the office upstairs in O’Brien’s Corner. I’m covering this place for the family since everyone’s in Ireland at the wedding. I’ve been on rotation between three of the bars as Booker and Aidan handle the clubs.
My nights have been pretty busy. Dylan didn’t want Ciara in on this task. It would have been easier if she could have stepped in with all the responsibilities I have with him gone. Too bad he’s too possessive and overbearing when it comes to her.
“That is ya, ya banjaxed slut. What the fuck are ya up to?” I say to the screen.
I noticed when Cadlha sat at one of the back tables. The sunglasses and Roaring Irish skully gave the eejit away. I swear her breast milk was laced with stupid.
I fold my arms over my chest and watch her and the melter sitting with her. I can’t see his face yet, but I plan to wait for him to face one of the cameras so I can see who he is. I don’t trust my cousin as far as I can throw her.
“I’m still pissed at the lie ya told to get into Dylan’s gym, ya box-headed twerp. Ya always take a wee inch and run for the hills. Ya keep it up, I’m going to make yer da a childless da,” I murmur to the camera.
“Hey, you okay in here?” Susan, one of the waitresses, says as she pops her head in the door.
“Aye, I’m fine,” I say and wave her off.
“Cool, I wanted to talk to you about picking up a few extra shifts.”
“Give me the dates ya need, I’ll try to fit you in the schedule where I can.”
“You’re the best.”
I just want her to go so I can focus on the screens. I toss a pen and pad toward her and shoo her off. Just as she walks out, the guy with Cadlha turns toward camera four.
“You have to be fucking kidding me.”