Chapter Fifteen #2
“I’m going to grab a shower,” I said, walking past him without another glance.
“I think I’m going to join you in the bathroom to make sure you don’t touch that sweet pussy. We want the punishment to last, right?”
I spun around, almost colliding with his broad chest. One look at his harsh smile, and I swallowed my nasty comeback.
He was pushing my buttons on purpose. I wasn’t sure what his end game was.
Lorcan Devaney was a dangerous man. I couldn’t forget that.
And I couldn’t allow him to let me get distracted from my only reason for being here and being married to him: Imogen.
“Are you going to watch me all day?” I asked in a tight but controlled voice.
“Of course not. I have a meeting late this afternoon.” The tension in my shoulders dissolved at his words. “But Seamus is going to keep an eye on you the rest of the day.”
Scoffing, I stalked over to the shower and turned it on as cold as I could tolerate. I imagined my fury would have reduced my arousal, but it didn’t. Maybe because our mutual attraction was built upon the push and pull of our bond.
Lorcan trimmed his beard while I showered. Once we were both dressed, Lorcan and I got into his car.
“I need to go looking for Imogen. The wedding preparations stopped me from investigating further. I can’t allow more time to pass. My sister needs me.”
I didn’t care if he didn’t want to be bothered with my search for my sister. He knew it was the reason for me being in New York in the first place. He knew it was my only objective right now.
Stopped at a traffic light, Lorcan regarded me with a condescending glint in his eyes. “Are you sure she does? Did she ask for your help?”
“She didn’t, most likely because she can’t.”
“Or because she wants a clean break, a life away from her former responsibilities.”
“You don’t know her. She’s my sister.” I paused, swallowing my initial anger. “Or do you know something that you’re not telling me? Have you seen Imogen? Sodom is part of your empire. You must have heard about an Irish girl making an appearance.”
“My main focus is our shipments, not cunts for sale.”
“She didn’t sell her body.”
“Only you did?”
I drove my teeth into my tongue. “You know that was a misunderstanding. ”
“That’s usually how it begins and then it often ends with a window seat in the Cunt Yard.”
“I suppose I’m lucky you saved me, then.”
“I suppose you are.”
Lorcan’s mood had darkened considerably since I’d brought up Imogen. Something was up. What if he didn’t just know something about her whereabouts? What if he was involved?
I decided to let the matter drop for now.
I’d investigate on my own today. If Lorcan didn’t want to help me yet—or not at all—I wasn’t about to listen to his warnings.
Maybe Desmond, the police officer, was a traitor in the eyes of the community, but I wasn’t part of that, and my loyalties lay with my family, not the Irish American community—and much less a Devaney.
I’d just have to figure out a way to contact Desmond without anyone finding out, or I’d be the next Killeen to disappear.
Aislinn’s face couldn’t hide her surprise when I opened the door to my two-bedroom apartment in Woodlawn. I’d lived in the Bronx since I’d first come to New York almost a decade ago. The majority of my men and of our Irish community lived in the Bronx.
Aislinn looked around my place. It had an open kitchen, wooden floors, and white walls.
The only furniture in the living room was a black leather sofa, TV and coffee table.
Aislinn headed for the windows overlooking the busy street, but thanks to the trees on the sidewalk at least there was some green.
When I was looking for apartments, I got several offers for places with views of Central Park.
Woodlawn had very luxurious areas but I decided to move far away from these corners where people were willing to pay a fortune for a glimpse at a bit of green that could never compare to the lush greenery in Ireland anyway.
This neighborhood was more down to earth and thanks to the cheaper rent, many of my soldiers lived in the area too.
Most of them had big extended families at home in Ireland and preferred to send money back than to waste it on rent.
I could see that Aislinn had expected some sort of decadent abode, maybe a penthouse with golden faucets and a huge roof terrace. “Not what you expected?”
“No, if I’m being honest. It’s not a place you’d expect a filthy rich clan boss to live in.”
“Filthy rich? Doesn’t mean I have to throw my money out of the window. This place is enough for me, and will be enough for the two of us if you can forsake your luxurious life so far. Once we have little Devaneys, we can move into a bigger place.”
Aislinn’s face flashed with shock then disbelief, as if children weren’t part of the deal. For her, this marriage was a limited-time offer, one she’d try to evade the moment she got what she wanted. But I had absolutely no intention of letting her go, and I wanted children.
After a moment to compose herself, Aislinn scoffed. “What luxuries? My mum’s a waitress and so was I. We didn’t have a choice to pick a cheap place to live in order to save money, we simply didn’t have any. I don’t mind living in this place.”
“Then why the face?” I muttered, growing annoyed. I didn’t take many people here, and her initial disapproval felt personal. That bothered me more than I’d have thought. Aislinn was my wife, but I didn’t trust her.
She headed for the window in the kitchen that led to the fire escape. She opened the window and climbed out then sank down cross-legged on the metal grate. I waited in front of the window, watching her carefully.
Tilting her head, she said, “This place feels like something someone would choose as an interim. Something that was never meant to last. As if you picked it because you never intended to stay in New York and still don’t.
That’s why you’re still here and still haven’t added any personal touches.
It’s as if you plan to return to Ireland any day. ”
I gritted my teeth, rage bubbling up. I looked around, trying to stifle my fury, which would only confirm Aislinn’s astute assessment.
How could she read me so easily? Now that she voiced her observations, I realized they had a true core.
This had never truly felt like home and was never supposed to.
When I talked about home, I meant Ireland.
I meant Devaney Manor. I meant Dublin. I didn’t mean New York.
This was my territory. My men lived here.
I had lived here for a long time, and yet my heart wasn’t here.
Aislinn stared off, her red hair tossing in the wind.
September was rarely showing its cooler, rougher side, but today, as a wonderful homage to our home country, it did.
She reminded me of home, of everything I missed.
What was I hoping to accomplish with this marriage?
Bring a little bit of home to New York? Fuck.
Aislinn didn’t want our marriage nor did she want to stay in New York. She was here for a purpose.
“I’m late for my meeting.” A shipment of explosive components was bound to arrive on a cargo ship from Shanghai. We needed to check the goods and repack it for its transport to Dublin. Dad wanted an update on the shipment so he could talk to Declan, the head of the IRA.
I didn’t want to leave Aislinn. I wanted to spend the next few weeks sucking her clit and sinking my cock into her mouth and pussy, but business came first.
Aislinn shrugged. “Go ahead. I don’t need a chaperone. Seamus can give me a call when he’s ready to pick me up. I’ll walk around the neighborhood for a bit in the meantime.”
“You won’t walk around by yourself,” I said as I held out my hand to her. She took it and allowed me to help her back inside.
“Nobody’s going to attack me. I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t doubt it. But I don’t want you to get yourself in trouble with your nosy questions. Seamus will make sure you avoid certain people and areas.”
Aislinn narrowed her eyes. “You want to stop me from finding information about Imogen!”
“Of course not, but I prefer to lead the investigations myself. You’ll stir up dirt that should stay underground.” I cupped her chin. “Now give me a goodbye kiss, wifey.”
Aislinn’s green eyes burned with rage. I knew she would try to evade my surveillance, so I had to throw her a bone to keep her in check. “Don’t give me that look. I’ll tell Seamus to help you ask around a bit today. How about that? And tomorrow, I’ll gather information in the Cunt Yard for you.”
“I want to go with you. I know what questions to ask because I know my sister.”
I rubbed my thumb over her tense mouth. “We’ll see. Maybe I’ll allow you to come with me.”
“What do you want in turn? I’m already your wife.”
“You are. Tonight when I return from work, I want you to be a good girl.”
“If that’s what it takes.” Feistiness pinched her beautiful face .
I leaned down and kissed her lips. At first, she was tense but then softened and opened her mouth.
This was part of her show, but soon my kiss would affect her in a way that couldn’t be faked.
Her breathing quickened and the sweet aroma of her arousal, which was quickly becoming a familiar scent and definitely my favorite teased my nose.
I pulled away, smirking at the hooded look on her face.
If Aislinn wasn’t so responsive to my touch, this game wouldn’t be half the fun.
“Keep your hands away from your pussy. I’ll know if you touched yourself. ”
A knock sounded.
Aislinn jumped and righted her blouse and skirt, even though they hadn’t been askew, but I supposed she felt a little unhinged. The amount of arousal she’d displayed this morning wasn’t easily suppressed. She needed relief, and I couldn’t wait to give it to her.
My idea of a good marriage entailed more than satisfying sex, but to reach a level of trust required for such a bond, both parties needed to be willing to let themselves fall. I preferred to throw people into pits.