Chapter 21
21
SCOTT
I stared at the large mirror on the far wall in Killough’s dining room, which neatly reflected this mess back at me. I was sitting in one of the chairs at the long table, Sloan at the head with his pet beside him. Zombie was on my right side with Ryan on my left, while Fionn and Daire sat opposite us.
“And?” Killough drawled, his jaw jumping as he clenched his teeth. “You told me you figured out the problem.”
I gestured at Zombie, giving him permission to speak. Between the chandelier overhead, all the white marble in the house, and that overblown mirror that let me see exactly how much irritation was bleeding into my expression, you couldn’t miss a thing in this bright room. I wasn’t sure how Killough could stand it.
Zombie gazed around at the men at the table, gray eyes assessing. He had his dark hair up in a loose bun today, which was rare. “It appears the one who opened their big mouth was one of the 3D printer manufacturers. He was so stoked about being contracted to make so many that he posted it online despite the nondisclosure he signed. The FBI caught wind of it and made him tell them where he delivered the products.”
Zombie had come to me as soon as he’d discovered the truth, and he’d dealt with the problem immediately, burying this idiot’s body so deep the Feds would never find him.
“He couldn’t give them any details about who commissioned him because we gave him fake information and destroyed all contact points connected to him and his partner. The FBI had no idea it was the Killough Company.” Zombie’s expression hardened as he stared at Killough. It wasn’t that he hated Killough, but Zombie had never been a big fan of anyone questioning our business practices. We were good at what we did, especially Zombie. “These issues crop up, and that’s why we prepare for them. We’ve learned from one small mistake, though, and next time, we’ll give the maker a phony location and move all the 3D printers to the warehouse with men we trust.”
I patted him on the shoulder and looked at Killough. “As you can see, we dealt with the issue, and while we’ll need to be careful with the Feds watching out for machines being sold, we can make this happen. There are other manufacturers we can use, ones who understand the importance of nondisclosure. If it got down to it, we could also use one printer to print more, but then we’d need an assembly line and electronics. It would be more hassle than I think we want to get into. I’d rather just find someone with the product.”
Conall nodded and curled his arm under Killough’s elbow, grasping him. “It’s settled then. It was a learning experience.”
Killough grunted and leaned back in his chair. He stroked his chin. “Fine. My pet is right, it’s settled. And you said you’d make it right money wise.”
I inclined my head. “Absolutely.”
Ryan slapped his hand on the table. “Great, now that’s done, and I got questions.” He nudged me with his elbow. “Deer is our Diarmuid?”
I bit back a groan. It’d been two days since I’d fucked up, and I’d texted Deer during that time to check on him. He’d responded, but his messages were short and only to tell me he still needed space. Every minute that ticked by broke my heart a fraction more until it became difficult to breathe.
“Yes, Deer is your cousin.” I massaged my temples. “And he’s very pissed off at the moment.”
Conall cleared his throat loudly and gave Killough a sharp glance.
Killough sighed. He threaded his fingers together on the table in front of himself and stared at me. “As you can respect, I was in a tough position the day he was here. Deer’s mother is not a good person.” He paused to send a sympathetic glance toward Fionn, who pursed his lips. “I cut her off last year, and Deer’s sudden appearance had convenient timing. I assumed either Annabella or you were trying to undermine me or threaten Fionn, which I couldn’t allow. Fionn is not only my nephew, but my adopted son. I don’t take threats to him lightly. It surprised me to see Deer because of how much he looked like my late brother, Eoin, and I let my suspicions get the best of me. I should’ve questioned you both before acting.”
It was the best apology I was going to get from a man like Killough. Hell, it was damned near a forehead kiss and a lot more than I’d been expecting.
Conall didn’t give anything away, but I suspected he’d had a deep conversation with Killough about the situation because there was a shine in his eyes that made me think he was proud of his partner. I liked Conall. He never outwardly spoke against Killough in business meetings, but it was clear he had his say behind closed doors. He gave Killough a humanity, even if the mob boss was still scary as fuck.
“Deer is my brother.” Fionn straightened and his jaw clenched. “I barely know him, which isn’t his fault. I’d like to meet up with him and change that.”
It took me a moment to realize he was talking to me. I hummed in acknowledgement. “I’ll need to talk to Deer about that. I don’t want to push him into anything he’s uncomfortable with.”
“How much has he told you about our mother?” Fionn asked.
Daire curled his arm around Fionn’s shoulders, and Fionn shot him a smile.
“Some, but not a lot. I’m going to be honest, sir, but he didn’t enjoy talking about family. I didn’t even know he was a Killough. He was using the last name Marshall when we met.” I swallowed around the scratchy feeling in my throat. He had his reasons, and he didn’t suspect I was working with Killough, even if he had met Ryan with Zombie. “He told me he needed money, and I knew he’d sent his mum some, but it always did seem as if he was struggling with her. He didn’t want to go home for Christmas. He told me he had two brothers and hadn’t seen the oldest since he was small. That his brother went to live with his uncle.”
Fionn flinched.
“Uh, and said that his relationship with his mum was strained. He said his youngest brother was her favorite.” I should’ve put two and two together, but there was no reason for me to make the connection. How many families were there in America? He could’ve belonged to any one of them.
“Mom’s toxic.” Fionn licked his lips. It was the softest I’d heard him speak. He’d always had a sharp, mean personality, but the man I saw on the other side of the table was vulnerable and sad. “She kept calling me and guilt-tripping me into giving her cash, but I did it because I wanted some attachment to my brothers. To help them. But now Deer’s here andI want a relationship with him. I need to know my younger brother.”
I nodded in understanding. “As I said, I can tell him you want to meet up and give him your phone number, but I’m not forcing him into anything he doesn’t want.”
“I respect that, and I’m glad Deer has you in his corner.” Fionn smiled and it was real. I didn’t think I’d ever seen that expression on his face. It was strange.
I laughed sadly. “I wish I could say that I did the right thing that day we walked into this house, but I didn’t.” My gaze slid to Killough. “I trust Deer, and I understood your reservations. I had the same suspicions when I found out he was your nephew. I thought you and he were playing with me, and I was deeply hurt because I love Deer. I owe you and Legend Sweeney my life, but from now on, sir, Deer will come first. I fucked up and I won’t ever do that again.”
Killough pursed his lips in a way that reminded me of Fionn. “The Killough Company is a family business. Deer is my nephew. If he would like to be a part of this enterprise, I am willing to open my arms to him. Welcome him into our lives.”
“And if he doesn’t?” I asked. “If he wants to know you, be your family, but not be part of the Company?”
Killough blinked as if the very notion was crazy.
“We’ll welcome him anyway.” Fionn raised his chin. “He’s a Killough, and we were born to be wolves and rule this world, and that means we’re pack . He’s blood.” He shot his uncle a pointed glance.
Killough’s mouth curled into a smirk as he returned his attention to me while pointing at Fionn. “What he said.”
Fionn puffed out his chest.
I nodded sharply. “I’ll talk to him.”
* * *
I didn’t get a chance to see Deer until a few days later, after I’d texted to see if I could visit. He sent me a thumbs-up in response, and by the time I made it to his apartment in the shitty building that I wanted to steal him away from, I was jittery with nerves.
I had a box clutched in my hands and my heart raced a million miles per hour. He’d told me that he didn’t want my money, so I’d picked out a present I knew would mean something to him. Or at least, I hoped it did.
The moment the door opened and my gaze met Deer’s, my world narrowed in on him. Everything around us was a blur, unimportant and trivial. This man standing in front of me in a loose pair of sweatpants and a plain white T-shirt was the most important thing in the universe.
“G’day,” I whispered.
He brushed a hand through his dark hair, knocking it off his forehead, and gave me a small, uncertain smile. “Hi.”
“Can I come in?” My heart hammered against my ribs, waiting for an answer that could make me the happiest bloke in the world or break my soul all over again.
To my relief, he said “yeah” before moving out of the way to give me room to enter.
I only had eyes for him. I hated where he lived, shocked by the sight of it the last time I’d come in, and I wanted him out of here because he deserved the best. I could give him that if he let me. Deer was the kind of person who earned the right to be spoiled and loved, and I could be that man who’d do it for him.
I paused when he closed the door and held out the box to him. “I got you something.”
He crossed his arms. “Scott, I told you?—”
“I know. Money means nothing to you, but I hope you’ll like this. I had it custom made.” I shoved the gift closer to him, and he dropped his arms and reached out to take it. The box was wrapped in pretty red paper with a deep crimson bow, and he glanced up at me from under his long dark lashes as he slowly pulled at the ribbon.
Each second felt like hours.
I held my breath as I watched him gently unwrap the gift until the simple white box became visible. Then, while holding the gift on the bottom with one hand, he opened the lid with the other.
Inside was a chestnut brown collar with the word FAWN stuck to the leather in diamonds. The tag that hung from the collar was silver and on it was a ruby deer.
He stared down at the gems, eyes wide in wonder as he stroked his thumb over his pet name.
I swallowed and took a step closer but didn’t reach for him. “I miss you, Fawn. I miss you and I love you and I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for what I did. I promise.”
His tongue swiped out to lick his upper lip and he exhaled. “Why should I trust you?”
“Have I ever lied?” Another step toward him. “I purposely didn’t tell you about my clients to keep you safe and I kept quiet on why I left Australia, but I never outright told you a fib, have I?”
His jaw wobbled as tears flooded his eyes. “No.”
“I told your uncle that from now on, you come first, even over him.”
His gaze shot to me. “You did?”
“Fuck yeah, I did.” I gathered my courage and cupped his cheek, and he tilted his head to lean into my touch. “I never needed anyone, but then you came into my life, and it was like a light switch. You turned my dark, cold world into a bright, happy one. My apartment is big and lonely without you. All I can think about is what happened and regret my choices.”
“You only get one more chance,” he whispered fiercely, stare hardening. “If you humiliate me like that again, I’m packing my stuff and leaving. Once is a mistake, twice is abuse.”
“That’s fair enough. More than fair.” I took the chance and leaned down to kiss him, and to my relief, he met me halfway. My lips melded against his and I grasped the other side of his face so I had my entire universe in my hands— him . It’d been too long since I had him this way. The blowjob the other day didn’t count—he was angry and hurt—and now we weren’t fine, but we were on the way to being all right.
I guided him to the rundown couch and sat him down while I took the spot beside him. We didn’t break contact, and he laid the box gently on the seat next to him before nearly throwing himself at me. I caught him and curled my arms around his waist, deepening the connection of our lips.
“I love you so fucking much, darl. So fucking much.”
“Me too,” he murmured, eyes sliding closed before opening just as quickly. “You talked to my uncle?”
“Yeah.” I stroked my finger across his cheekbone, and he smiled softly. “He’s the type of bloke who doesn’t apologize, but I think he regrets how it went down. He said that seeing you felt like a threat to Fionn.”
He flinched. “I wouldn’t hurt him. I was angry at him, but only because he hasn’t contacted me in over ten years.”
“Perhaps that’s something you need to tell him.” I laid a kiss at the corner of his mouth. “He wants me to give you his phone number because he’d like to meet up with you. He said you’re family, and he’d love to get to know you.”
“How can I trust that he won’t hurt me?” His voice wobbled, and I hated the fear that coated his tone. I didn’t know if he meant physically or emotionally, but I suspected it was the latter. Deer was used to the pain that came from family, and I never wanted him to feel that again.
“You can’t,” I said honestly. “But I’ll go with you if you’d like. If it becomes too much, I’ll get you out of there, no matter what.”
He pressed his forehead against my shoulder and sighed. “Maybe I wasn’t the only one Mom manipulated.”
“You weren’t.” I rubbed his arm. “But that doesn’t mean you have to trust him straight away. I’m going to be honest with you, Fawn, every time I met him, he wasn’t the nicest bloke. He’s cold and calculating and it feels as if he’s looking down his nose at you, but he’s a future mob boss. He can’t appear weak. He did seem excited to get to know you.”
“Yeah.” He laughed and leaned back again. Sliding his fingers into mine, he smiled. “He gave me space when I needed it.”
“Good, that shows respect.”
“What about Uncle Sloan?”
I squeezed his hands. “He said he wants to see you again, and if you’d like, he’d offer you a job in the Company.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “That’s what I’ve always wanted, you know?”
“It is?” I blinked at him in surprise. Now that the truth was out, everything was easier to chat about. The Deer I should’ve known from the beginning was starting to show, and I needed to learn more about him and what made him tick.
“The rumors about the Killough Company were always around if you knew where to listen. And I was interested in my family’s legacy.” He pursed his lips. “That’s why I chose a Pharm D. I thought I could help the Company make product. Or... I don’t know.” He sighed. “But now I’m not sure what I want.” Tears flooded his eyes again and he ripped one hand out of mine so he could wipe them. “He has a distant cousin working for him, but not once did Uncle Sloan reach out to me. I’m nothing to him.”
“Well, not right now, little fawn. He doesn’t know you.” I kissed away a tear that streaked down his cheek, then another. “He raised Fionn as his own, and your mother had you and your younger brother. I don’t know her, but from what I’ve gathered, she’s manipulative. Perhaps they thought she’d filled you with all sorts of ideas about them.”
His bottom lip shook. “She did. She said that we weren’t important to Uncle Sloan or Fionn. And then when they cut us off, she doubled down on insults about them. Bell still believes her.” A small sob slipped from his mouth. “She spoiled him so much I doubt he knows how to function as an adult. He’s twenty-four, and he thinks he’s rich, but he’s not, you know? Mom lived a life of overspending, and Bell did the same. The cycle was always the same. Feast or fucking famine.” He shook his head. “I tried to help her, but she kept asking for more. I didn’t even get a thank-you. It’s never good enough for her. I’m never good enough for her.”
I hauled him close in a hug, and he settled his weight against my chest. He buried his face in my neck, and I stroked his hair. “Perhaps a chat with Fionn would be good for you. He could shed light on his perspective, too.”
“Do you think?” he mumbled against my skin, the brush of his lips making me shiver.
“Yeah, sweetheart. I think so.”
He hummed and relaxed against me. The tension in his muscles slowly began to fade until he was languid. Was he asleep? I got my answer in the sounds of quiet snores. My poor sweetheart. He obviously hadn’t slept well through this hell.
That wasn’t going to be a problem from now on. I was going to take him back home where he could slumber in comfort. No one was going to hurt him again, me included. I’d die before I let that happen.
I laid a kiss on his head. “I’ll kill anyone who lays a finger on you, Fawn.”
He whimpered in his sleep.
“Your uncle, brother, mother, and me included.”