9. Eight
Eight
Kayleigh
L ast week Erik was at my side and held my hand when the doctor preformed the abortion and stayed with me until today when he had no choice but go in for a meeting with his high-ranking made men. The past week he worked from his room, which he had the staff move all my stuff into. He claimed it was because the bed is softer and bigger. He also said he wanted to be with me every second I was recovering and refused to let me lock myself in my old room.
You would think a mob boss like Erik wouldn’t be so compassionate as a woman cried over having an abortion even though she wanted it, but he held me and comforted me as I moped around in the softest pajamas and ate all the junk food I wanted. He literally spoiled me. When I thanked him for everything he did, I was told—no ordered—to “Never thank me for taking care of you.”
When I argued he did more than most men would do, he called them boys, not men, and he informed me he was going to be spoiling me like this for the rest of my life so I might as well get used to it. He said there was nothing I could ever say that would make him stop spoiling me.
Today he told me and my personal maid that if I needed him for anything to call him right away. He would have canceled a normal meeting in a heartbeat, but he had to go deal with his ex-wife’s brother, Malcolm, who is still a capo and has been causing issues. He’s tried to get the other capos to go against Erik, claiming he has turned weak. Rowan, Erik’s consigliere, told him that Malcolm has been trying to overturn him so his son can take over since he is the heir to the Scottish Mafia.
I was sad to hear how Erik’s family is turning on him; no one should be betrayed by their family. You should always be able to depend on your family, though I know not everyone is lucky enough to have a family like mine. Yes, the men in my family are extremely overprotective, even Aiden and Keegan who are younger than me. Everyone has reached out to me, all six of my siblings including the twins. Keegan was quick to rat Ellie out about her partying again. I love her to pieces, but I wish she wouldn’t party so much, especially since I know she does it without any security around her or she drags Riley with her. Riley would prefer to be anywhere but at a party, she’s our little bookworm.
I told Daid and Mama after I got the abortion done. I still can’t tell if they are happy or disappointed in me for doing it. I was avoiding talking about it until Erik called them and put it on speaker phone and demanded I tell them.
He got the cold shoulder from me for a few hours for that. He tried everything to get me to talk to him, and when I still refused, he resorted to tickling me. And when I yelled at him to stop, he smiled smugly at me saying, “Got you to talk to me.”
Fucking cocky bastard.
The time while I recovered was nice because I did get to spend it with him and get to know him better. We did a lot of talking, and he told me he was personally hunting Andrew down. I told him before he kills Andrew, I want a moment alone with him, but we argued about it. Erik didn’t want him to ever be allowed in my presence again, but I told him I needed it. I need to know why he did all those things to me. And I need closure. I could see he hated the idea of me being in the same room as Andrew, but he agreed as long as he and either Darius or Rowan would be in the room and Andrew is tied down.
I asked him if that was overkill, but he said I am the future queen of the Scottish Mafia and I will always be protected. He may actually be more overprotective than the men in my family.
Erik
I didn’t want to leave Kayleigh this morning; she looked so adorable cuddled up next to me with her red hair sprawled out like a fiery halo. Just like the fiery personality I know is buried deep inside her, one I’m coaxing out. I know something else happened to Kayleigh years ago; she was seeing a therapist over it. I need to know but my seamrag bheag keeps telling me it doesn’t matter anymore.
Anything and everything that has to do with Kayleigh is my business.
I put Grant on it, and the only thing we came across was that Connor, the son of Peter’s underboss, died around the time Kayleigh started therapy. Obviously, the little fucker did something to my seamrag bheag. Glad Peter dealt with him, otherwise I would be killing Connor then dealing with Peter and the other men in her family for allowing the piece of shit to continue to live. Since he is no longer alive for me to torture, I will have to torture his father instead. I will have Grant looking for him for just that reason; it’s his fault as he should have raised a better son. Anyone who upsets my seamrag bheag, must pay for their crimes… and upsetting her is punishable by death.
I can’t help her heal though if I don’t know what happened. Actually, we need to have a conversation about what happened with Andrew as well. I know her injuries, but I don’t know what all he did to her, and I do not want to do something later that triggers a flashback or a panic attack. Which she has been having even though she thinks I don’t know when she goes into her room to do so. I have cameras all through my home and even added more after she arrived so I can watch her every move.
The door shutting breaks my thoughts of getting blood for my seamrag bheag. I watch as all the high-ranking men in my Mafia stroll in. When I see Malcolm, I’m itching to unload my gun on his smug face. His family has one more strike against them before I take them out, consequences be damned. The only reason I have not killed them is because of their connection to Scottish politics and I really don’t need that kind of heat, but if they do not heed my warning this, I will make their deaths look like accidents or make them disappear. I’m leaning more toward making them disappear. It would be hard to find the ashes of their bodies that will be scattered in the North Sea.
Darius starts the meeting with the usual bookkeeping, going over each company and how they are doing. We spend two hours going through all that and listening to each man talk about changes they want to make. Then we get into the illegal businesses, and Grant updates me on Andrew, who is still missing.
“I need you to add Robert Doyle to your list of people to find.”
“Okay, what information do you have on him?”
“All I know is he was Peter O’Sullivan’s underboss and has disappeared.”
“Why are we looking for some Irish scum?” Malcolm asks.
“When did you gain the authority to question my decisions?” I sneer at him.
“Obviously I don’t since you have that Irish whore staying in your mansion. The mansion that belonged to Eva,” he snarls at me.
“You think MY mansion belongs to Eva?”
“Of course. It’s the least she deserves.”
I slam my hands on my desk. “Deserves? You know what that backstabbing bitch of a sister of yours deserves is a bullet between her eyes. You know the only reason she is still breathing is because of her father. Don’t think that will matter if your sister does anything to cross me again. I warned you both when I had her thrown out of my mansion and don’t think just because it has been years that I have forgotten.”
“You know what will happen to you if anything happens to her.”
“Do you honestly think I can’t make your whole family disappear? I just haven’t because it wasn’t worth the headache. You and Eva are on your last warning. I know you have been approaching the other men and soldiers about trying to take over. The only way I will step down is if you kill me. Your sister already failed, and she was at least sneakier than you.”
“What? How?”
“Do you honestly think I don’t know what goes on in my own Mafia?”
He stares at me then shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. You are slipping, getting soft. We need someone who will be ruthless and not send us to our deaths or to jail.”
“Ruthless? You want ruthless? Congratulations, you just earned yourself six months helping the soldiers at the docks.”
“I’m busy. I can’t.”
“Too bad. It’s either six months at the docks or a bullet in your head. Which do you want?” I ask after turning the safety off my gun and aiming at him. He doesn’t flinch until I squeeze the trigger and a bullet grazes his ear.
“You fucking shot me.”
“I grazed you with a bullet. Now enjoy those six months at the docks.”
“Eva won’t be happy.”
“Okay, and I care because…?”
“She will want me around when you get married again.”
I scoff. “Hell will freeze over before I marry Eva again.”
He just smirks at me. I give him a final glare before addressing the rest of my high-ranking men.
“Kayleigh is the true queen of the Scottish Mafia; she will be treated as such. You heard what happened to the soldier who kept his eyes on her too long and disrespected her. I will do that to anyone who disrespects and upsets her.”
Darius speaks up, “I personally think it’s a big improvement; she is what we needed. A strong woman who is compassionate but also has a backbone. Plus, she makes you less of a growly bastard.” He smirks as I toss a pen at him, which he ducks. The other men in the room laugh.
“Don’t quit your day job, fucker.”
“Which day job? The legal or the illegal one?” he says with a smirk.
“Either because you are not funny.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “I will just force them to laugh or I will kill them.”
I roll my eyes at him, he’s fucking ridiculous. “Yes, that’s a way to make it. Anyway, you are dismissed. Take the failing comedian with you. I have things to do.” Most of the men chuckle as they leave, and Rowan and Darius shut the door behind them on their way out. I have about an hour left of work before I can go and see my seamrag bheag.
“Emilia, are you out of your mind? There is no way Erik would want to see me like that.” I hear Kayleigh say on the other side of the door.
“Does his cock not work? I thought you said you could feel how big it is.” I quietly chuckle but the more I listen the more I become intrigued.
“Well, yes, I felt how big he is, but he is older than me.”
“Like how old are we talking?”
“A lot older than Mateo is to you.”
“Kayleigh-bug, spit it out. Are we talking ten, fifteen, thirty, forty years here?”
“Twelve.”
“Hmm, so he is definitely older, old enough he isn’t going to want to play any games with you and will have lots of experience, so he will rock your pussy and your world.”
“Oh my god. Can you not talk like that? I told you I had you on speaker.”
“You know better than to put me on speaker.”
“Yeah, you are unfiltered.”
“I’m just bluntly honest.”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
“Anyway, back to his cock size, is he long and wide or just long or just wide?”
“Why are you asking that?”
“I need to make sure he is equipped to pleasure you. If not, I can send you some vibrators.”
“Oh my god, Emilia.” I smile thinking about how red Kayleigh’s cheeks are getting, and Emilia keeps going.
“Let’s see. We have bullets—those are amazing—clit suck ones, the ones meant for the pussy that have a bunch of different vibration settings…”
“Emilia, stop.” But she doesn’t.
“G-spot ones, anal, combo vibrators. Or are you kinkier and want some nipple clamps? They have clit clamps too. Hmm, maybe Erik wants to get you a paddle.”
“Emilia!”
“I know, we won’t mention restraints after what that fuck face did. Have you heard if Erik has found him yet? I want a crack at him.”
“And by ‘a crack at him’ do you mean with some of your special tools I have heard so much about?”
“Yes. I think he deserves the dildo shredder at least and maybe some sensory deprivation with the noise canceling headphones and blindfold. Hmm maybe I can make a brand-new toy just for him; he did hurt my Kayleigh-bug…” He voice starts to trail off.
“EMILIA!” I hear a man yell.
“What? I’m talking to Kayleigh-bug.” I hear a sigh.
“You better not be scaring her.”
“Go away, you overgrown pain in my ass. And I would never scare her, we were talking about whether Erik’s cock is good enough for Kayleigh and how I will help deal with Andrew once the little fucker comes out of hiding.”
“Do you want to be punished?”
“Depends on if it gets me naked and tied to the bed. I’m horny for the boss of the Italian Mafia’s cock.”
“And that is the only cock you are ever going to get,” he growls; that’s obviously Mateo.
“Mateo, how do you deal with her?”
“Ways you don’t want to know.”
Kayleigh laughs. “You are probably right about that.”
“How are you?” Mateo asks softly. As much as I hate her taking to another man I can tell he will protect her, if I’m not around.
“I’m… okay. Some days are definitely harder than others.”
“And you’re okay staying there? You know if you want to leave, all you have to do is ask and we will get you out of there.”
“I’m okay. I promise.”
“You’re not being forced to do anything you don’t want to do? Erik is one of the better Mafia bosses, but no matter what, we will make sure you are safe.”
I grind my teeth. No way in hell are the De Lucas or anyone else taking my seamrag bheag away from me.
“I’m not but thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank us. Plus, I don’t think my husband wants to have to deal with me going all diabolical on anyone who upsets my Kayleigh-bug.”
“Woman, you cannot go into other Mafia homes gun blazing.”
“They upset my Kayleigh-bug, you bet your ass I will.”
I decide this is the perfect opportunity to make myself known, I walk in.
“You don’t have to worry about seamrag bheag. She is safe here and no one will do anything to her.”
Kayleigh gasps as she spins around, and I see she is on a video call; Mateo and Emilia are on her phone screen.
“Well, hello there. I can see why Kayleigh-bug here has the hots for you,” Emilia says as she eyes me up and down.
“Emilia!” Kayleigh says in horror. I chuckle as I move closer to Kayleigh, making sure to kiss her cheek before sitting down next to her.
“What? He is easy on the eyes.”
“Keep it up,” Mateo growls at her. She just smirks at him then looks at me.
“So, what does seamrag bheag mean?”
“It means little clover.”
“Aww, that’s so cute,” Emilia gushes, and Kayleigh groans as she covers her face with her hands.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s cute he has an adorable nickname for you.” Then she turns to Mateo. “Why don’t you have a cute nickname for me?”
“And what cute name should I have for you, La mia regina.”
“You are supposed to give it to me not have me tell you what it is.”
“Emilia, darling, my diabolical queen, pain in my ass, the love of my life. You are not the kind of woman to have cute, adorable nicknames.”
“Are you saying something?”
“Yes. You are my perfect diabolical wife, and there is a reason you are feared in the Mafia world.”
“That is true, I am a little blood thirsty.”
He raises an eyebrow. “A little? There have been times you finished torturing someone and didn’t have an inch that wasn’t covered in blood.”
She nods and turns her attention to him. “And those times you helped clean me up and then dirtied me up again. They were a lot of fun. I think we need to do it again.”
“I’m sure we can have that arranged, darling.”
She claps her hands together. “Yay. Now back to drilling Erik.”
“How about no,” Kayleigh says.
“It’s okay, seamrag bheag. She is just worried about you, and after everything you have been through, I don’t blame her. I will agree to your questions if you answer some of mine.”
“Deal,” Emilia says without missing a beat.
“Ladies first.”
“Hmm, he has manners too. Brownie point. So, what are your plans with my Kayleigh-bug?”
“To love her, spoil her, marry her, for her to be my queen, be the mother of our future children, be by my side as we rule our empire together until it is time to hand it down and then spend the rest of our days together watching our children and grandchildren grow old.”
She holds my gaze; I know she is deciding if I’m being deceitful.
“Okay, you look like you’re being honest. This is your only warning: if you hurt her in any way, I will kidnap you and torture you and make you wish you were a cum stain.”
I don’t bother holding back my laughter as it vibrates through my body. I’ve heard Emilia is a riot, but I have never interacted with her except at those bullshit Mafia balls where everyone acts like we can actually get along.
“Please don’t encourage her,” Kayleigh grumbles.
“Oh, this is nothing compared to when I’m with Theo,” Emilia gloats.
“Yes, but thankfully we now have Vito to help keep him in line,” Mateo says with a sigh.
“But that isn’t a guarantee he will behave. Anyway, what is your question?”
“Who is Connor, and what did he do to my seamrag bheag ?”
“Erik!” Kayleigh exclaims.
“You refused to say anything, and Grant couldn’t find much on him except that he was Robert’s son and died.”
“True, but I will only tell you if Kayleigh is okay with it,” Emilia says looking at Kayleigh. For a moment, Kayleigh doesn’t react.
“Seamrag bheag, I’m not asking this to be an asshole. If I don’t know everything, I can’t keep you safe.”
“But he isn’t a problem anymore.”
“Kayleigh-bug, you know Robert has been missing and he could be anywhere. I think it would be smart if you had as many people as possible looking for him, especially people who want you safe.”
“Was it hard when you told Mateo everything that happened to you?”
“Yes, but I pushed myself to because I needed to protect Alessia.”
“I have no one to protect.”
Emilia raises an eyebrow at her. “Are you sure about that? What about your nephews? What if Robert uses them or your siblings or even your parents as a way of getting to you for your family killing Connor.”
“Damn you,” Kayleigh says, defeated. I wrap my arm around her, bringing her to my chest, and kiss the top of her head.
“Do you want to tell me, or do you want Emilia to?”
She sighs. “I will.” I wait a few moments for her to compose herself and tell me.
“Connor grew up with me and Oscar. Mine and Oscar’s birthdays are only ten months apart and growing up, people thought we were twins. Connor was always around us because we were all in the same grade and Robert, his father, was Daid’s underboss. Around eight years ago, Connor and Hailey, a girl who I thought was my friend, came up with a plan to have Connor rape me and get me pregnant. They thought if I was pregnant with Connor’s baby, it would force my father to make me marry him. What Connor and Hailey didn’t know is my father has a hard rule against being forced into marriages.”
“Okay,” Emilia says like a smartass. I wonder if she is talking about Cillian and Oscar.
“Anyway, one day when I was in my room studying, he came in and attacked me. He got me tied to the bed before Emilia came in and shot both of his knees out. She was staying with us at the time.”
I nod for her to continue talking, gently giving her shoulder a few squeezes as non-verbal support.
“They were tortured for answers. Hailey admitted to planning the whole thing and said she was going to be Connor’s spoiled mistress, using my family’s money after he married me and got promoted to capo saying he deserved more than he was getting.”
“And where is she?” I ask, gritting my teeth in attempt to hold back my anger.
“Dead. Hailey was chopped up in pieces and scattered in a few farms around the O’Sullivan mansion,” Emilia says.
“Okay, and where is Robert now?”
“According to Peter, Oscar hired him to watch Erin, his wife. Well, at the time she was just his baby mama. He was supposed to scare her into running and keeping their son away from him, but Robert got physical with her and has been missing since. He even left Quinn, his teenage daughter, behind, and Grace has taken it on herself to raise like one of her own children,” Mateo tells me.
“Any ideas on where he is?”
“No,” Mateo says shaking his head.
“Okay. I will have my tech guy help look for him. I’m assuming you have your tech guy looking?”
“We have my tech guy, Fabio, Emilia, who is good with computers too, and Peter’s tech guy. At this point, anyone who can help find this slimy bastard, we will take. It is time for Kayleigh to stop living in fear,” Mateo says.
“Yes,” I say and turn to Kayleigh. “What the fuck is wrong with Oscar?”
“Oh, it’s not just Oscar. Cillian too. He walked in on his wife being raped and believed she was cheating on him,” Emilia says. I stare at her and then turn back to Kayleigh.
“What. The. Fuck!?”
“Yeah, those two have some screws loose.”
“Umm, please tell me your other brothers are not as stupid?”
Kayleigh shakes her head. “Aiden? Hell no. He is like the protector of women in our family. But Keegan? Well, I feel bad for whoever marries him. He is an ass and will need a strong woman to deal with him.”
“I’ll be keeping my eye on him. Your family needs to stop this stupidity that Cillian and Oscar started. That won’t be happening with us.”
She turns to me and shakes her head, but I can see the demons in her mind are trying to come to the surface.
“Well, I’m glad I got to speak with you both, but we have some things to discuss.” I tell them goodbye and let Kayleigh do the same before having her hang up the phone. Afterward, I grab her phone and set it to the side, watching as the first tear falls from her eyes.