Chapter 40 Declan
Declan
There are perks to being the boss. For example, I get to keep my wife as my personal assistant and use her physically whenever I please.
But there are downsides too.
Like constant meetings.
After Senesi’s death, it’s a literal parade of Whelan family members pledging fealty. The meetings are very different from how they were right after my father’s death. I’d been trying to keep everything from falling apart and desperately scrambling to avoid a civil war.
Now I’m firmly in power, and everyone wants to kiss the ring.
But I learned something from my father. Always be strong in defeat and forgiving in victory. They say Julius Caesar won friends through clemency and defeated enemies with ruthless violence. I strive to be the same.
That’s why Donnell’s rotting in an unmarked grave, his family is hiding out in Mexico, and the rest of my organization is doing their best to get on my good side.
“Are the rumors true?” Connor Maguire leans forward in his chair across from my desk. Casey’s lingering in the back corner like she always does. She doesn’t take notes anymore, but I find her input extremely valuable. “Did he really have photographs of your wife’s mother?”
I frown at him and lean forward. “Do you always believe what you hear?”
Connor flinches and glances over his shoulder. “Sorry, Mrs. Whelan, if that’s insensitive. It’s just such a wild story.”
Casey smiles back. She’s used to all the gossip by now. It’s been a few weeks since Senesi’s death, and she’s beginning to really process what happened. “It’s true, and I don’t fault you for being curious.”
Connor’s eyes widen. “That’s crazy. I mean, we all grew up on stories about him, but wow.”
“Imagine how I felt seeing all that.”
“I can’t even begin.” He turns back to me, looking slightly chagrined. “Sorry again, Boss. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“If she doesn’t mind, then I don’t mind.” I lean forward, staring into his face. “But I wouldn’t push it.”
He shrinks slightly and nods sheepishly. “Of course, Boss. I just wanted to visit and say how much I appreciate everything you’ve done since, you know, my cousin and uncle and all.”
He’s the young thug that was waiting for me in an ambush what feels like forever ago. I thought about installing my own puppet at the head of the Macguire clan but decided he’d do well enough.
I tilt my head. “Are you holding up alright?”
He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stares at the window, but eventually he nods. “Strange taking over the family like this. When I always thought I’d be on the outside. The things my cousin and uncle did, they maybe had their reasons. We’re all still reeling from it.”
“Keep earning it, Connor, and you’ll do well.”
The boy seems eager as he gets up and shakes my hand. “My blood for the clan,” he says as I show him to the elevators.
When I return to the office, Casey’s sitting on my desk, her legs crossed. Her skirt rides up her thighs, and I take a moment to enjoy the sight as I shut the door behind me.
“You know, Ms. Brennan, you look very inappropriate sitting like that.”
“I do?” She pretends to be surprised and slowly uncrosses her legs, spreading her knees. “What about now?” Her skirt rides up higher, giving me a glimpse of her panties. She’s only wearing stockings, and they end at the very tops of her legs.
“You’re starting something you shouldn’t.” I approach slowly, feeling a stirring of hunger.
But her legs snap closed. “Easy, boy. I’m only teasing.”
“You know you can’t do that.”
“I can and I did.” She laughs and hops off my desk. I grab her and kiss her, but she wriggles from my grip. “You’re getting soft, you know.”
“I’m not feeling the opposite right now.”
“You know what I mean. We’re still not sure Rory wasn’t a part of Donnell’s trap in the end.”
I sigh and slump back into my chair. “You’re right, but I can either spend a few months murdering a whole lot of people, or I can start rebuilding. I bet that boy is more loyal to me now than his father ever was to my father.”
“What a clever man.”
“I’m a leader now. I can’t afford to be a vicious fuck anymore.”
“Well, you can be a little vicious, so long as you’re not stupid too.”
“Fair point.” I reach out and tug her close. She drops down into my lap and kisses me. “I’ve been thinking about our arrangement.”
“Have you?” Her eyebrows raise as she wriggles her hips. “Feels like you’re thinking about something else right now.”
“I mean it. You’re my wife. You don’t have to keep playing executive assistant too if you don’t want to.”
She shrugs and leans in, brushing her lips against mine. “If I stop that, what would you do with yourself?”
“Fall to pieces most likely.”
“Exactly, and besides, so long as we’re still working together, I have a good excuse to be in the room with you.”
“I just want to give you options.”
“Good. I love you for that.”
“And I adore you.” I pull her close and kiss her harder. “Honestly, baby, I need you with me.”
“I’m the brains of this operation.”
“Something like that.”
“I got my monster, and I plan on keeping him.” She leans in close and breathes in deep. “We’re better together, right?”
I pull her hair lightly. “Exactly. Always better together.”
“Here’s to the Whelans.” She leans back, gyrating her hips and grinding into me.
“Ms. Brennan, is teasing about to turn into something more?”
“We have twenty minutes before the next meeting.”
“I’ll cancel it.”
“Good idea.”