Chapter 1 #3
“You are Sloan Killough, the biggest, baddest mob boss in the United States. In the world. Your enemies tremble when they hear your name. But, you know what you also are? Human.” I slapped my hand over his mouth when he opened it to argue.
“Shush. Your pet is speaking. You’re allowed to make mistakes.
Yeah sure, you’ve seen a lot in your life.
Blah blah blah. Whoop dee doo dah. I don’t care. ”
I poked him harder in the chest, and he made a face, half offended and half amused. His mouth curved into a small smile when I finally dropped my hand from it.
“Fionn was shot protecting you. It’s not about a job, Sloan, it’s about family.
You said it yourself, he’s your son. He was prepared to lay his life on the line for you.
Most of the men here are, including me.” I stared at him pointedly because I was not backing down over this.
Fuck that. Sloan needed someone to talk sense into him.
“You are ours. We chose you as much as you chose us. So, get over your pity party, which isn’t a good look, by the way, and man up.
” I smacked him on the chest this time and raised my chin, challenging him.
Sloan inhaled deeply. “Pet, I lo—” He snapped his jaw shut, nostrils flaring as he exhaled.
I sucked in air between my teeth. He’d been so close to saying it. So close.
He cupped my cheek, and I tilted my head, leaning into his touch. “Pet, you’re one of a kind. You give this company strength, you give it to me, too. I trust you to take care of my business, no matter what happens.”
I frowned. “What do you mean? Nothing will happen.”
He chuckled and leaned his forehead against mine. “I wish that was true. What happened early this morning was a disaster. There were too many witnesses and too many variables. The police are searching for something to pin on me.”
“Will they find it?” I clenched my teeth to fight my shaky voice.
He brushed his nose against mine. “Maybe. They’re desperate. I’ve been hearing whispers that Reyes has been arrested, but I don’t know what for. I have our people working on it.”
“Sloan . . . we’ll fight them. No matter what.
We’re the Killough Company.” An ache spread in my chest and expanded outward to the rest of my limbs until I hurt all over.
My breath grew short as images of Sloan behind bars for life assaulted my imagination.
No, I couldn’t live without him. He’d made himself part of my world, and I refused to have one unless he was in it.
“We’ve taken on cops before, right? Like Diaz. ”
“Shh, Pet. I know.” Yet, he didn’t sound convinced.
“We have a strong team of lawyers, and no matter what happens, we’ll handle it.
” He hooked his finger under my chin and raised my face, then stroked his fingertip lower until he was caressing the skin right above my red collar, which he’d put on me years ago.
“I trust you, so I need you to promise me something.”
I swallowed around the panic climbing my throat. I already had an idea of what was coming and didn’t want to hear it, even though I knew I had to. “Anything.”
“If they do charge me, I need you to step up and help Fionn run the business. All of it. You and Fionn can work together to make sure none of my enemies take over our territory. That’s what the cops want.
” He dragged his fingers around my neck, stroking my Adam’s apple, before dipping the tips under the collar, reminding me who I belonged to.
Who’d claimed me. Sloan Killough had placed this collar on me. “Can you do that for me?”
“Don’t talk like that,” I whispered, too desperately. I sounded pitiful.
“Conall.”
I winced. Fuck. “I promise. I’ll help Fionn run the Company.”
“Good. And I want Fionn to take Lor as an apprentice.”
“Lor?” I whispered, surprised. “He’s docile. Quiet. I know who he is, but why him? I’m not sure he’s ready for that.”
Sloan hung his head. “It doesn’t matter. Fionn will understand. I need you to tell him for me. In case the cops get what they want. He’ll need an heir, and Lor’s intelligent. He’d be a good asset.”
All I could do was nod even though I was confused. What would my world be like without Sloan? I didn’t want to think about it.
He smirked and dipped down for a kiss, mouth sweeping across mine gently before he pulled back too fast for me to respond. “Now, I only have a few hours before I need to go back to Fionn. Do you know how I want to spend my time, Pet?”
“In heaven?” I joked, returning his smirk. “I mean, inside me?”
He laughed. “Yes, Pet. In my heaven.”
I frowned up at him. “You’re exhausted. You should sleep.”
“Hm.” He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I’d much prefer fucking your tight little hole than getting some sleep.”
I rolled my eyes and grinned. Inclining my head, I waggled my eyebrows. “You, me, and the bed, Sir? I’ll take your mind off our problems for half an hour.”
“Half an hour?” He tsked and shoved me in the direction of the bed. His eyes darkened, a vicious lust dilating his pupils. Blood rushed south, making my cock stir. “I’m going to ruin you for those few hours at the very least.”
I crooked my finger, taunting him. “Come get me, Sir.”