Epilogue
Connor
In only a week, Cat’s spread her wings, becoming a fierce but fair leader.
I knew from the beginning she had talent. She just required a little push.
Sucks that push was the death of her father and brother, but all things considered, she seems to be handling her grief well.
From the moment I drenched her in her own latte at the Cosmopolitan Museum of Art, I knew she was special.
She never even needed me—not really—though she insists otherwise.
Cat claims I made her a stronger person and brought her out of her shell. She credits me with detecting her quiet power on first contact. She says, in my “roundabout Connor way,” I brought out the best in her.
When she revisits our time together, she chats about me as if I were her life coach.
Lying, Cheating, Screwing, and Murdering Your Way to a Better You: A Ten-Week Master Class with Connor Gallagher. Start to achieve greatness today, with just three easy payments of three hundred and ninety-nine dollars.
Personally, I’m convinced she always possessed the necessary qualities.
Power sometimes comes in small packages, with glorious curls, cleavage for miles, and a delicious cherry and roses scent.
She’s spraying that perfume on now as she dresses for the day, the bright lights of her bathroom highlighting the gorgeous shine to her hair.
I recline on her bed, watching that beautiful ass as she flutters back and forth. “You look perfect, Cat. Stop fussing.”
She rolls her eyes at me through the mirror. “This is important, Connor.”
“It’s just the Gallaghers.”
“It’s Finn Gallagher. Just because you’re related doesn’t mean I can treat this like any old get-together. It’s a big meeting.”
I push off the bed as she strolls out of the bathroom. “Whatever you say, Boss.” I wrap my arms around her waist before leaning down to trail kisses along her neck. “I really don’t think it’s that huge a deal, though.”
Yesterday, we received word that Grigori Rostov secured a powerful new ally.
Even with our huge coalition working together, we’ve still been suffering losses.
Rumor has it, Rostov is planning some kind of war.
A Russian space rock hurtles our way, headed for New York City.
In this business, the earth never stops spinning for long.
With Caterina and Finn agreeing to band together, I’m sure we’ll be able to plug all the holes before the boats sink.
Marlene knocks on the open door. “Miss Ricci, the Gallaghers have arrived.”
“Thank you, Marlene.” Cat sighs and glances up at me, her hazel eyes glistening. “Ready?”
I kiss her forehead. “Lead the way.”
I doubt these halls have ever seen so many Irish at one time. Finn and his wife, Riley, stand in the foyer with Brody and Trinity Gallagher.
Riley’s gorgeous—a blond bombshell—but she’s only got eyes for Finn, her hand wrapped around his arm.
That’s fine. I prefer my brunets.
Trinity’s coppery red hair is pulled into a high ponytail at the back of her head. As Brody takes her coat, I notice she appears brighter and more confident.
Probably the influence of her new family here in New York. Or Brody. Maybe both.
Good for her.
Cat smiles, shaking first Finn’s and Riley’s hands, then Brody’s and Trinity’s. “Thank you all for coming. Lunch is waiting for us in the dining room. Please follow me.”
Sensing the tension in her spine, I place my palm on the small of Cat’s back as we all head in that direction.
She’s got nothing to worry about. They’ll love her.
Anyone would.
Lunch itself proves uneventful. The women get to know each other, chatting about summer plans and organizing weekly brunches.
Brody and I exchange looks over our drinks. Brunch. Great.
Once the food’s gone, though, the air thickens with anticipation.
Finn and Cat take the lead, discussing what they know about the Russians—more than expected, thanks to Nino’s heavy involvement—and how they might prevent the Bratva’s power grab from going too far.
We deliberate for hours, moving past lunch and into dinner. By the time after-dinner drinks are passed around, it’s feeling like a regular gossip fest.
Unfortunately, we’ve made no real headway on building an effective army to bombproof the alliance, and at this rate, we’re staring down sunrise.
While Finn and Trinity are obviously holding back, I’m reluctant to ruffle Finn’s feathers since he saved my ass.
Surely Brody knows as well, so why the hell isn’t he saying anything?
Damn, and I thought scheming was exhausting. This good guy shit is twenty-four-seven. Connor the Good Son, he was a manipulator, but Connor the Capo uses logic and reason to create forward motion and goes to bed beat.
It’s one hell of a learning curve.
Because Brody’s not keen on probing, I meet Cat’s gaze and subtly gesture at Finn beneath the table.
Bless this woman for understanding exactly what I’m saying.
She smiles and refills Finn’s wine. “Finn? You seem like a man who’s got something to say. The floor is yours.”
Finn clears his throat and rakes his hands through his thick hair, his muscles flexing to the point that his dress shirt might rip in two. It’s black, of course, but he dressed up for the occasion. Riley must’ve had some influence in that regard.
I study Finn from across the massive walnut table and wonder what kind of elephant balls I possessed that made me think I could toy with this guy.
I may be good, but the man before me is an actual beast.
After a beat, Finn’s eyes flicker over to Trinity, who nods.
Interesting.
Finn gulps down some wine before gesturing toward Cat. “It’s time to go on the offensive instead of waiting for the Roguilins’ next move. To get into their operation before they can do more damage.”
Trinity jumps in like siblings do. “Only one man can execute an attack the Russians won’t see coming.”
Cat tilts her head, loose hairs falling from her bun. “Who do you have in mind?”
“Liam.”
“Liam?” I raise a brow. “Never heard of any Liams in the Gallagher clan.”
Finn clears his throat. “Liam Rafferty. He’s Trinity’s other brother.”
Brody scowls. “Seriously? What the fuck?”
I snort. He didn’t know she had another brother? What do they even talk about?
“Half-brother.” Trinity scolds me with a pointed glance before smirking at Brody. “He lives off the grid. He…likes his privacy.” She places a hand on his forearm. “I was just trying to respect that.”
Somebody’s not getting laid tonight.
Finn saves his little sister from herself and reluctantly lays out Liam Rafferty’s résumé.
“Ex Special Forces. Trained in unconventional warfare, foreign international defense, and counter narcotics. Spent years in counterterrorism. He’s a weapons expert and trained in combat medicine. Speaks four—”
“Five.” Trinity sips her drink with a raised brow.
“—five languages.” Finn gives her a curt nod before continuing. “Liam is as badass as they come. If you’re looking for a one-man army to take down the Roguilins, he’s your guy.”
I glance at Cat, then grin from across the table.
“Great. When do we bring him in?”
The End