Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Killian
“Are you going to tell me what’s really going on?” Mickey questions me as we step outside, heading toward his car.
“You want a recap of what happened here?” I reply, knowing what he really means but avoiding it.
“Don’t play games with me, Killian.” He leans his arm against his car. “How old is she? And why do you really have her?”
I chuckle. “Are you really questioning me, Mickey? I haven’t been around for a while, but I’d think you’d know me better than whatever you’re thinking.”
With a huff, he continues, “Mauve said you showed up with her, both naked on a horse. What were those intruders interrupting?”
Could I let him think I was fucking someone half my age? Sure, but if these men have anything to do with Nico, it’s better my brother knows now than later. I don’t need everyone here to deal with the consequences of my actions when I go back to America.
Crossing my arms at my chest, I sit on the hood of his car.
“It’s not what you think. I’m having issues with keeping my territory back in Providence from being taken over.
Costello Family won’t help. Not the way I need them to.
After Mum’s vardo, I needed to get my mind off things, so I went to a blacklist party. Saw her and knew she was the solution.”
“Who’s blacklist party?”
“Vidalia.”
“Why would she be at that kind of party?”
“She was being auctioned.”
“You bought her?” Mickey pushes off his car. “That’s an interesting way to get Costello’s attention.”
“You would have done the same.”
He nods. “I know.” He lets out a deep breath. “And you’re not sleeping with her?”
“She’s half my age, Mickey. I’m no cradle robber.”
“I need to ask to see how deep in you are.”
“I’m not deep in at all.” I go on to explain my plan, to which Mickey nods in approval, then hands me a cigarette.
“You think it’s safe to let her tag along?” He lights his cigarette up then hands me the matches.
“She doesn’t seem to scare easily. I won’t make her anyone else’s burden.” I strike the match against the edge of the cover. Fire lights up, and I inhale on my cigarette, letting it catch fire.
“You know if it’s Vidalia, it’s going to mean war.” Mickey lets out an exhale of smoke.
“Yep.” I let out a huff of smoke in the shape of a circle. “And I understand if you don’t want to. I’ll do it on my own.”
“Like hell you will. I’ll take it as an insult if you don’t let me help you.”
You’d think Mickey would be upset, but this is the thing he enjoys. I don’t know anyone who loves killing as much as he does.
I take a drag. “I’ll meet you at the house with the rest of the boys.”
I watch him get into his car and drive off while I finish my cigarette in solitude.
But that peace is disrupted when I hear someone approaching.
Liliana comes into view. Her hair needs to be brushed, and it’s clear she isn’t wearing a bra, but the simplicity of her look really accentuates her natural beauty.
“Going to try and run again?” I mock her.
“Once I find a better weapon.” She smirks. “You have another?” She nods to the cigarette.
“You smoke?” I furrow my brows.
“Sometimes,” she says.
I don’t answer, and somehow it gives her the impression she can walk up to me and take the cigarette out of my mouth.
“I’m not keen on sharing.” I look down at her even though I don’t take the cigarette back.
“Well, you’ve decided to be my keeper. So suck it up, buttercup.” Her face was now dry.
“Done crying?”
Liliana takes a drag, unbothered, and puts her hand on her hip. “You don’t have police in Ireland? Who doesn’t call the cops when gunshots are fired like that?” She lets out smoke deliberately toward me.
Putting my hands in my pockets, I reply, “Around here, we are the law. That cottage has seen worse days, I’m sure.”
She looks at me as though unsure if I’m safe to be around. “Are you going to sell me off?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” she challenges. “No one knows I’m here or with you, for that matter. You can do anything you want with me and get away with it.”
I step closer to her. “Is this you surrendering?”
She holds her ground and her chin high. “You have a better chance at hell freezing over.” Her confidence is sexy and makes her even more attractive than she already is. “I just want to know my odds of survival.”
“If you stick with me, your odds are pretty high. Now get in the car,” I command, nodding toward Aunt Maeve’s car.
“Where are we going?”
“Were you not listening?” I take the last bit of the cigarette from her. “We have someone I plan to get some answers out of.
“You want me to ride in that broken down piece of junk?” She scoffs.
“Would you rather we get back on the horse?”
Her eyes widen, and her neck muscles move as she gulps. Liliana walks toward the car in a huff.