Patrick
We were almost at Maeve’s parents’ house. We decided to talk to them first. Then we’d see my family. She was so nervous I thought she’d jump out of her skin. It was a decidedly big difference from last night, which was hands down the best night of my life. Just recalling our lovemaking made me hard and eager to do it again. She’d responded unlike any woman I’d ever been with. My releases overwhelmed me, and she agreed that hers was the same.
I knew we would need more than great sex to have a happy and fulfilling life together, but I had no doubts we would have it. It wasn’t just her body that held me captive and tempted me to learn more. Her mind and how she saw the world made me want to see it that way, too. Already, in our short talks in between bouts of sex, she’d talked about how the world could be. It made me wonder if mine could change.
As head of the Irish mob, my life was very predictable overall. I had to show strength and use my might to keep enemies from taking what was ours or from harming my family and those close to us. That meant I had to spill blood at times. I knew no other way of life, but Maeve made me dream of one that was not so violent or illegal.
I was pulled from those thoughts as the car came to a stop. Brian was my driver slash bodyguard again. He’d become my regular one over the past year. The house was a quaint, small bungalow in a quiet, unassuming neighborhood similar to Maeve’s. While the house was obviously taken care of, it wasn’t new or fancy. This wasn’t a family used to money. I looked over at her. She was biting her bottom lip and clenched her hands in her lap. I uncurled her hands and took one as I gave her a gentle kiss.
“ Mo grá, stop biting your lip. That’s my job.”
She laughed, which rescued her poor lip. I’d have to soothe it later, but right now, it was time to meet her parents. She seemed very apprehensive about it. If I was totally honest, meeting people never bothered me. I didn’t care if they liked me or not. This was the first time it mattered. I kissed the back of her hand I was holding. “Let’s go see your parents. It’s gonna be alright.”
She sighed loudly but let me help her slide over and out the door with me. “I hope so. They’re probably gonna think I’m crazy. Be prepared for a lot of questions.”
“I can handle questions and your parents. Come,” I tugged on her arm to get her to follow me to the door.
Brian brought up the rear. He was scanning the area. She fidgeted when we got there. I was the one who had to ring the doorbell. I rubbed my thumb back and forth over the back of her hand. It wasn’t long before the door opened. Standing there was a somewhat imposing man in his fifties and a woman who looked a few years younger and so much like Maeve. I knew what she’d look like in thirty years. She’d be just as gorgeous as she was now. I gave them my best smile as Maeve greeted them. I’d take the lead only if she couldn’t.
“ Daid, Mam , hello.”
“Hello Iníon, Daughter. It’s been too long. We were surprised to get your call. Who’re your friends?” her daid asked as he eyed me and Brian. I knew from his expression that he knew who I was, and he wondered what the hell I was doing with his daughter. In our town, it was hard to find anyone who wasn’t aware of who and what I was.
“ Daid , this is Patrick, and that’s Brian.”
“Mr. Kelly, it’s a pleasure to meet you and Mrs. Kelly,” I told him as I gave them my best smile and held out my hand. He reluctantly shook it but only briefly. Her mam merely nodded her head. She had a frightened look on her face. Damn, I’d hoped this wouldn’t be the case, but I should’ve known it would be.
“May we come in?” Maeve asked. They slowly moved back to allow us inside. As we stepped over the threshold, I turned to Brian. “Stay out here.”
“I’ll be walking the perimeter. I’m here if you need me.”
“Why isn’t he coming in?” her mam asked.
“He’s not only my driver but my security. He’s just being cautious,” I explained. Maeve was the one to shut the door.
“I thought we’d have lemonade in the Florida room unless you’d like to do it in the formal dining room,” she said. I could tell she was nervous as we were led further inside.
“I’d love to sit in the Florida room. It’s a nice day out,” I said. A Florida room was just a fancy name for a sunroom. Brian would hate me being exposed on three sides by screens, but I wanted her parents to be comfortable. I didn’t need a fancy dining room to have lemonade.
When we got to it, I saw it was obviously a place they loved and used often. The furniture was inviting, and there was a tray of lemonade already waiting for us. I let Maeve lead us to one of the loveseats. I made sure she sat first and remained standing until her mam sat. I saw the surprise on her face when I waited. My manners were impeccable, and I used them when they were needed. If I didn’t, my mam would tear the hide off me.
Once we were seated and the lemonade served, the questions began. Her daid was the one to take the lead on the interrogation. I couldn’t blame him. If I were lucky enough to have a daughter, I’d do the same and more.
“Our daughter, when she called, told us she had someone she wanted us to meet. Imagine our surprise when it was you, Mr. O’Sheeran. We had no idea Maeve knew you or your family or that you were friends.” I heard the censor in his tone.
“First, please call me Patrick. Mr. O’Sheeran is for mere acquaintances and work associates. As for knowing your daughter, I met her a few months ago. She has been treating my mother for her pain and has changed her life. I’m eternally grateful to her for that. My mam adores her.” I smiled at Maeve, who gave me a small one back.
“Our Maeve does know her plants and herbs. I’m glad she was able to help your mam ,” her mam said with a proud smile at her daughter.
“She’s a miracle worker,” I agreed.
“And since she was able to help your family, you’ve become friends with her? That seems extreme and hardly your style,” her daid interjected. He was frowning.
“No, it’s not because of what she did for my mam that has me here today. Maeve isn’t my friend, Mr. Kelly. She’s much more than that. She and I━,” he cut me off before I could finish.
“It’s obvious what you are. Maeve, I can’t believe you’d do this. What are you thinking?” he snapped.
“ Daid , let us explain,” she said pleadingly. I was only going to allow this to go so far before I interceded. No way would I allow them to verbally abuse her if it came to that, which it might based on his tone.
“What’s there to explain? You’ve become one of those women. The kind who lets his money and lifestyle seduce you into becoming one of the women he uses and then discards. You’ve seen him in the papers. He has a different woman on his arm every time! However, I can’t figure out why he chose you. You’re not his usual model. You’re not in his league. You’ve shamed us. I never thought our daughter would become a━.” I cut him off this time.
“Don’t say that word or so help me. You’ll find my fist in your mouth. How dare you say such things to her? Maeve is the sweetest, kindest woman in the world, and her beauty far outshines that of any other woman. You’re right. I’ve been with lots of women, and they only want my wealth and my name. They didn’t give a damn about me, and I didn’t give a damn about them. That’s not the case with Maeve. She’s everything I want and need. She’s not being used and then discarded. We came here today to let you know we’re together and to plan for a wedding soon. I wanted to ask permission to marry your daughter, but I see that’s not happening, so I’ll just tell you. Maeve will be my wife. We hope you’ll be part of our lives.”
He came to his feet. He was scowling, and his fists were clenched. Her mam was sitting there with a frightened look on her face and her hand over her mouth as she stared at her husband. I didn’t like it. It set off warning bells. I hoped I was wrong about what I was starting to suspect.
Maeve stood and pleaded with him. “Please, Daid , don’t. Patrick isn’t what you think. I know it’s hard to believe, and I was the same, but he’s not. Give him a chance to prove it.”
“Sit down and don’t say another word! This is my house and my family. He won’t come in here and disrespect me. He’s shaming our family. He’s using you, stupid girl. I don’t know why. Maybe he’s bored, but mark my words, he’ll dump you so fast your head will spin. I guess he fed you the marriage line to get you to spread your legs for him. I never thought you were a whore,” he said spitefully.
She began to cry along with her mam . That was the final straw for me. I got up. Now, he was a tall man, but I was still a few inches taller and bigger. I admit that I moved closer to him to intimidate him. I could now see the cruelty and rage in his eyes. This man was an abuser, and his wife and daughter knew it intimately. As I stared at him, I spoke to his wife.
“Mrs. Kelly, I’d like you to go pack a bag and come stay with Maeve for a while. I think it would be good for you two to have mother-daughter time and you can help her and my mam plan our wedding. She and my brothers will be thrilled with our news.”
“Rose, you’ll go nowhere,” he barked as he shifted toward his wife. Before I could get between them, in case he tried anything, Maeve beat me to it. She placed herself between them and glared at her daid .
“Don’t you dare touch her,” she hissed.
“Do I have to remind you of what happened the last time you got between me and my wife,” he snarled.
I moved so Maeve and her mam were both behind me. Maeve answered him as I did. “No, you don’t. I remember it, but I won’t let you hurt her. Mam , do as Patrick said. It’s not safe for you here. I promise this time he won’t take you away from me.”
Fury turned my vision to red at the thought he’d been using his fists, and Dia knows what else to them. As he let out a roar and lunged, I punched him in the face. I heard Rose cry out. I didn’t have time to reassure them. Her daid was coming at me again but more cautiously. The next couple of minutes were filled with him attempting to hit me and me beating his ass. If he thought I was some rich guy who had others always protect him, he found out he was very mistaken.
What broke it up was Brian pulling me away from him. I didn’t know how he got in the house. “Patrick, go see to your woman and her mom. I’ll keep an eye on this piece of shit,” he said in disgust.
That’s when their crying registered. Whipping around, I hurried over to them. They were huddled in the corner, with Maeve standing protectively in front of her mam .
I saw Rose flinch when I got near them. I held up my hands. “I’m not going to hurt you. I don’t hurt women and kids. I’m sorry you had to see that, but you have to know you can’t stay here with him.”
“It won’t do any good to leave. He just finds me and brings me back,” she cried brokenly. I glanced at Maeve. Her mouth was tight.
“ Mo grá, how many times have you two tried to get away from him?”
“Since I turned eighteen? I don’t know, maybe five. We finally stopped because the beatings when he found us kept getting worse. Mam tried when I was little, and he always came for us. When I grew up, I thought I could do it,” she said defeatedly.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about it this time. Go pack and bring as much as you can. You’re not coming back here.”
“But where can I go so that he won’t find me? And if he can’t, he’ll just go after Maeve.”
“He won’t touch either of you. You’re both now protected by me and the O’Sheeran family. If he dares to try anything, he’ll disappear. Hell, if you want, I’ll make him disappear now for what he’s done to you,” I growled.
He was sitting in a chair, breathing heavily. His face was a mess, and I felt only satisfaction and the desire to hammer on him some more. There was still anger on his face, but I saw traces of fear in his eyes. He knew this was his one warning. Maeve and her mam got up and left the room. His angry eyes followed them.
“I meant what I said. You come anywhere near either of them or attempt to contact them, and no one will ever find your body. You’re a pathetic excuse for a man. My future children will never call you seanathair, grandfather. Real men don’t abuse their women and children. Brian, take him out of my sight. I don’t want the ladies to see him when they come back. I need to make a call.”
Brian nodded, hoisted Mr. Kelly out of the chair, and marched him inside. I didn’t waste time wondering where he took him. I went to their phone and dialed. When she answered, I smiled. “ Mam , it’s Paddy. Maeve and I will be there soon. Her mam is coming with us. I’d like to have her stay in the guest house. Is that alright with you?”
“Of course, that’s alright. May I ask why?”
My mam knew there were some things my brothers and I didn’t share with the women in the family for their protection. She was trying to see if this was one of those cases. “You can ask. We came to visit her parents, and I found out that her daid is an abusive bastard. I can’t leave her here.”
“Bring her to me. If he dares to come here, I’ll shoot him myself. We’ll see you soon. We’re having dinner, so I hope you’re hungry. Oh, and your brothers can’t wait to meet Maeve. Tá grá agam duit , I love you,” she said with a laugh before hanging up. I groaned. Dia , I half dreaded Maeve meeting my two crazy brothers. They’d better behave, or I’d have to kill them.