Chapter 6 Declan
It’s nine in the morning, and I pull through the gate at my aunt and uncle’s house. I spent just as much time here growing up as I did at my dad’s house. It’s actually less than a mile down the road. Alessia Murphy, my aunt by marriage—married to Uncle Kieran—is the boss of our secondary business.
She’s supposed to be the normal one in the family, but in reality, she’s scarier than all of us.
She’s the one person we all agree we never want to disappoint.
Without her in our lives, I don’t know where we would be.
Because of her, my father and uncle can run a billion-dollar company and appear normal in public.
She’s the catalyst that holds us all together.
Aunt Alessia helped raise me after my mother left.
I don’t remember anything about my mother, and it has never bothered me.
I didn’t miss anything because Aunt Alessia was there.
Hell, half the time I call her Mom right along with her sons.
However sweet she may sound, it doesn’t negate the fact that she is a powerhouse who controls us all.
She has to be; she’s not only married to a psychopath, but has basically raised five of them.
I think back to one of the last times I felt her disappointment and her correction directed toward me.
I had been tasked with taking out an abuser and getting information about the money he was hiding from his wife.
In my haste to feel his terror and taste his fear, I made it impossible for him to talk.
I like to squeeze my targets’ throats until right before the light dimmed in their eyes.
Apparently, my enthusiasm crushed his voice box.
He was unable to speak, and the loss of his right hand meant he could not write down what I was supposed to learn either.
As soon as she entered the pen, I knew I had fucked up.
“You will cover the amount of money that the wife needs to start over.”
Okay, no problem, I thought. I would write a check. But my hopes that it was all over were quickly dashed to hell by her next words.
“You will work it off by volunteering with the kids for two Saturdays, starting this week, at the center. I think this week it’s arts and crafts.
You will be attentive and interactive with the children.
And whatever craft you make, I want it brought to me for display in my office.
” I visibly shivered. Her next actions added to my impending misery.
She motioned for Uncle Kieran to come in.
He walked to my target, pulled out his gun, and shot him in the head, effectively ending my fun.
I spent my next two Saturdays covered in glitter and glue. My expensive shoes and clothes had to be thrown away. The Christmas ornament I decorated is still on display in her office, only to be moved to the tree every year.
I pull up to the main house. From the outside, it looks like any other multi-million-dollar mansion, with lots of stonework and glass.
White columns line the large front porch.
Everything from the stark white stones and black accents to the stained-glass double doors screams money.
Inside, it’s a different story, although opulent, everyone who visits says it’s welcoming and inviting.
Whatever the fuck that actually means. To me, it’s just a house.
But here I am again, wondering what Xavier will think of it.
I walk up the front steps and enter the house without knocking.
Of course, my uncle is there already waiting for me.
He knew the moment that I drove through the gates.
We don’t hug; neither of us is much for physical touch.
My Aunt is a different story. As soon as she turns the corner, she gives me a bright smile and wraps her arms around me.
“Aunt Alessia, Uncle Kieran, how are you?”
“Now try it without the blank look. Make it seem that you care what my answer will be.” Aunt Alessia smiles at me—there’s always a lesson to be learned in each interaction with her.
I plaster on a fake smile and ask them again.
“Much better. Now, why has my favorite nephew graced us with his presence this early on a Saturday?”
“You do know that I am your only nephew? I need to speak with you before one of your sons beats me to it.”
“Fuck, what did you do? Did you at least make sure not to leave any evidence?” Uncle Kieran asks.
“No, it’s nothing like that. I need some advice on my new boyfriend. However, he doesn’t know it yet. So I’m not sure I can call him that. It’s inevitable, so it should be okay.” I explain. My Uncle blinks at me while Aunt Alessia starts laughing.
“I’m sorry, I thought you said ‘boyfriend.’”
“I did. I met him last night. Now I need to figure out how to take him.”
“Take him? Jesus, Dec, you can’t just take him. What does that even mean? Are you planning on kidnapping him?” Uncle Kieran throws his hands up.
“I’m still stuck on the boy part of this conversation. Come on into the kitchen, I just pulled some scones out of the oven. We can talk while we eat.” She doesn’t wait for a response before walking toward the kitchen. Once she has the scones plated and glasses set out, she turns to me.
“Let’s start from the beginning, and you tell me the whole story.”
I tell her everything, and while she listens intently, Kieran just looks bored by the whole thing.
That’s one reason that Dad is the CEO and face of the company, even though he is the younger of the two.
Kieran doesn’t seem interested in anything unless it involves Alessia.
He’s actually listening, but his poker face never shows it.
“I met him, now I want him. I want to know everything there is about him. I wonder what he will think about everything and whether he will like it. When someone else touches him, I want to cut their hand off. I have this strange sensation in my gut, not knowing where he is or what he is doing right now.”
“Those are called feelings, Declan. I know that everyone, including you, thinks that it’s impossible for you to have them, but it’s not. Muted emotions are still there; it just takes something major to bring them out.”
My Uncle wipes his mouth with a linen napkin.
“He is your Alessia.” He says it matter-of-factly.
I guess he could tell from the look of confusion on my face that I was not grasping what he was saying.
“When I saw Alessia for the first time, I knew she was mine. I was going to make it so no matter what. Her parents wanted her to marry into a wealthy family. She was dating the son at the time. Fortunately for the would-be suitor, he backed off. The thought of her with someone other than me made me murderous.” His slight Irish accent sounds strong when he says the last part.
He and Dad both have it, and it usually gets thicker when they are truly upset about something.
“Exactly how I feel about Xavier. Now, how do I make that happen without getting arrested for stalking and kidnapping or pissing off Aunt Alessia?” I don’t think he would be the one to give me advice on this matter, but here we are.
“No, we are not going to take advice from the man who… You know what, never mind.” My uncle smirks as Aunt Alessia continues.
“I think you should offer him a job. I heard that you need a new PA. Why not see if he wants the job? But remember, you need to be professional at work. If you can do that, then it’s a win-win situation.
He doesn’t have to worry about finding a job; you get a PA, and you can get to know him.
I understand that right now you have strong urges, but you need to make sure the feelings are not only reciprocated but also not a phase.
I nod my head in agreement. This is a solid plan. I still wonder what actually happened with Kieran that I shouldn’t take his advice. It’s probably closer to what I think needs to be done in the first place. I stand to leave, but before I can walk out of the kitchen, Alessia stops me.
“I want you to remember a couple of things before you storm into his life and scare the crap out of this guy. He is a neurotypical person with his own feelings and rights. If he tells you no, then you need to respect that.” She holds up her hand to cut off my rebuttal.
“I’m not saying give up, but if the job is not the avenue, then we will think of something else.
Just go easy. You will have to consider his feelings.
Do you think he is attracted to you?” I nod.
“Then play to that as well. Let him know that you are interested and not just playing with him.” She smiles and gives me another hug before pushing me toward the door.
Before I get too far, I hear Kieran say something along the lines of “do you remember all of that night,” followed by Alessia giggling. Yep, it’s time to go.