Chapter Twenty-Three #2
In my car on the way to the docks, Sergej called me to inquire about my meeting with Maksim, though I knew he’d already been informed about the details of our meeting.
He assured me again that while Maksim was a womanizer, he didn’t pose a danger to Imogen.
Personally, I didn’t care if he dumped her in the ocean, but for Aislinn’s sake I had to make sure the selfish bitch survived unscathed.
Satisfied, I hung up. Sergej and I would meet for dinner in a few days to discuss ways to flood the market with cheap counterfeits from Southeast Asia while providing our clients with only the very best. It would be our first big collaboration, one that promised to fill our wallets with money, but it also meant we had to get along for a while.
Seamus was already waiting in front of the warehouse, watching a few of our younger gang members unload a shipping container.
“How are things?” he asked.
I sent him a warning look. I hoped that the addition of Finn to my small family didn’t make him feel like he needed to stick his nose even deeper into my personal business.
Since his wife was pregnant, he felt even more qualified to advise others on how to achieve utmost bliss.
Bullshit. He was one of my absolute best hitmen.
Cold, efficient, merciless when tasked with a kill, but sometimes he could be a real sap.
“I got blue balls the size of Dublin because the kid couldn’t sleep alone.”
Seamus let out a fatherly laugh. “That’s how it is.”
“We’ll see once Maeve has dropped your little one.”
I quickly filled him in on my conversation with Sergej before he had more clever comments for me.
“What did you tell Aislinn?” he asked the second I was done talking.
“I told her that her sister is cruising the Caribbean. It’s as close to the truth as you can get, so stop bugging me.”
Seamus shrugged and together we headed inside the warehouse.
I had to give Balor and Father a phone call later today to inform them about the state of things with Sergej.
We were sending them a shipment of guns to keep for themselves; they’d also serve as a waypoint for the counterfeit weapons.
It would be a logistic feat, but I was eager to expand our business.
I had been anxious about allowing Finn to live with Lorcan and me, but in the three days since his arrival in the States, he’d flourished into a bubbly, cheerful boy.
So far his interactions with Lorcan had mostly been limited to short conversations during dinner because my husband had been busy with business, but today he’d taken the day off to spend with Finn and me.
I felt—
Lorcan leaned down and pressed his lips against my ear. “Don’t look so nervous. I’m good with kids.”
I pursed my lips. Finn was bent over his bowl with porridge but glanced up at Lorcan and me with a hint of curiosity. I slanted Lorcan a warning look, then pressed out. “I’m not nervous.”
He smirked then kissed my temple before he pulled back.
“I thought we could rent a boat for a ride on Central Park lake? And afterward we can go on the hunt for a good hotdog and a sundae,” Lorcan said, turning to Finn who perked up then glanced at me.
“That sounds wonderful,” I said. I didn’t want Finn to notice my anxiety, especially because Lorcan hadn’t given me reason for it.
We strolled toward Central Park lake, enjoying the sunshine. Finn gawked at the skyscrapers surrounding the park’s greenery, reminding me of my initial reaction when I arrived in New York.
Lorcan held my hand in his and Finn held mine as we walked slowly toward the lake. Lorcan had reduced his pace without prompting when he noticed Finn’s struggle to keep up with us. His consideration still hit me unprepared.
“Do you like boats?” Lorcan asked Finn as we got in the queue for the boat rental. I was surprised Lorcan wasn’t trying to intimidate the people in front of us in line. He really toned it down for Finn.
Finn glanced toward the small boats anchoring at the wooden jetty. “Yes?”
Lorcan smiled. “You’re not sure?”
Finn nodded.
“It’s his first boat ride,” I said, squeezing Finn’s hand.
“It’ll be my first ride with one of those boats. It’ll be fun. The lake is calm, so it won’t be a bumpy ride.”
Finn scanned the lake and nodded. A slow smile formed on his face.
My heart swelled seeing it. Noticing Lorcan’s intense gaze on me, I looked up and gave him a small nod.
It was our turn to rent a boat and a few minutes later, we stood on the jetty and put a lifejacket on Finn.
He watched a few ducks that glided past us with their ducklings.
Lorcan got into the boat then he opened his arms. “Come on, buddy.” Finn stepped forward and allowed my husband to lift him into the boat without hesitation. His trust surprised me.
Lorcan helped Finn sit down before he extended his hand for me. I took it, climbed into the boat and sank down beside Finn. Lorcan sat across from us and grabbed the paddles. “Ready?”
Finn nodded enthusiastically. He didn’t speak much in Lorcan’s presence yet.
Lorcan began to paddle as if he’d had years of practice. His muscled arms moved the boat easily across the lake, making it look effortless. Finn began to hum The Irish Rover, an Irish Folk song about a sailing ship.
“On the fourth of July 1806,” Lorcan sang the first verse of the song in his deep voice. My eyes widened in surprise. He had a decent voice and hearing the full force of his Irish accent warmed my belly. People around us in other boats glanced our way but Lorcan kept singing loudly.
Finn grinned all over his face and began to clap in rhythm with the music. I shook my head with a giggle and sang along despite my embarrassment. I was an okay singer but preferred to do it in private. Still, this felt too good to pass up. I felt the music in my bones and wanted to let it out.
Lorcan’s face lit up with appreciation.
When the song ended, Finn clapped wildly and soon other people joined in. I flushed at the sudden onslaught of attention.
Lorcan winked at me.
“Who knew Lorcan Devaney could sing?” I said to distract from my embarrassment.
“Our marriage is young. You have a lifetime to discover all my hidden talents.”
I rolled my eyes with a smile. The more I discovered, the more I liked Lorcan. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.