Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
K elsey
Over the next several weeks, my days blurred as the budding romance between Liam and me developed, as well as my relentless pursuit for evidence against him and the Murphys. The closer I got to Liam, though, the more I saw the man beneath the dangerous facade.
On the outside he was quiet and broody with a tough shell, but, around me and his son, his sweet nature really emerged, and I had to temper my feelings as much as I could. There were moments where I could see his humanity. He was haunted by the death of Eamon’s mother whom he’d lost to the very darkness that surrounded him day in and day out.
One evening, as we stood outside Murphy’s pub, I struggled to reconcile the man I was growing closer to with the criminal empire I sought to dismantle. The dichotomy was jarring, and the lines between duty and desire blurred. In quiet moments like this, I questioned the choices that brought me here.
I tried to tell myself that this was simply a job, that I couldn’t be falling for a man like him, a man that was an integral part to the Murphy criminal organization.
I tried to focus on gathering as much proof against them as I could. With extreme caution, I’d spent many late nights eavesdropping on Liam’s conversations. When he wasn’t around, I discreetly rifled through the documents in his office, looking for proof of money laundering, illegal gambling, and weapon shipments, and I found it. I found so much evidence that it started to churn my stomach. I kept a dossier of intel hidden behind several boxes in the coat closet, adding to it day by day.
A part of me wanted to do the job I’d been sent here to do, but another wanted to explore what truly could develop between Liam and me.
The chemistry between us was off the charts. There were scarce few days that went by where I didn’t end up over his knee or full of his cock and most of the time, both. Sure, the Daddy thing was wickedly taboo and just a little wrong, but I liked it.
I liked it a lot.
Sometimes, I even touched myself thinking about it, and I hadn’t admitted that to anyone, not even Liam.
“What are you thinking about, little girl?”
“Nothing, Daddy.”
“I can hear the wheels turning in that pretty little head of yours, little girl. Don’t lie to me again, or else I’ll take you home and spank that beautiful bare bottom cherry red,” he pushed, and my mind raced, trying to come up with something that might throw him off my scent.
It was getting harder and harder to lie to him.
“I’m not a burden to you, right, Daddy? I’m not overstaying my welcome at your place?” I managed, and he sighed softly.
“Not at all, sweet girl. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have you living with me,” he replied, his voice quiet, but absolutely genuine.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, little girl. Daddy will remind you exactly how sure he is when we get home,” he promised, and a shiver of pleasure raced down my spine.
A heavy wave of guilt immediately followed.
When I eventually turned in my evidence against the Murphys, Liam was going to go down with them. My heart hurt just thinking about it. I must have tensed a little in his arms because he cleared his throat.
“That’s not all, is it, little girl?”
“I might be a little nervous about coming with you to meet the Murphys. What if they don’t like me?” I answered quickly. I let out a long breath and smiled, pushing away my torn feelings as best as I could.
“They’re going to love you,” he answered. His arms tightened around me, and he kissed the side of my cheek. “Do you know how I know that?”
“No,” I answered, my heart hammering in my chest.
“I know that because I love you,” he said softly, and my breath caught in my throat.
His raw, unfiltered words hung heavy in the air around us. The weight of his confession settled, both comforting and electrifying at the same time.
The admission lingered, creating a gentle riptide that tugged at the edges of my carefully concealed emotions. In that vulnerable moment, I felt the layers of my own defenses unraveling, revealing the turmoil hidden beneath the surface.
“I love you too,” I whispered, the words falling off my lips before I could stop them. His arms squeezed tighter around me, and I closed my eyes, thankful that I was facing away from him with my back to his chest.
My emotions churned deep inside my belly, a tumultuous storm that threatened to undo me at any moment and I fisted my hands, my fingernails digging into my palms.
I could do this.
“Now, come on. It’s time for you to meet the Murphy family,” he said quietly, and he reached for me, taking my hand in his. He led me inside as I took a deep breath, lifted my chin and called on whatever confidence I had left.
The air in Murphy’s Pub was thick with the hearty aroma of Irish stout, and the familiar scene of lively chatter met my eyes as we walked through the door. Liam guided me through the crowded tables towards a secluded corner in the back where the Murphys waited.
Seated in a dimly lit corner, they exuded an air of authority that starkly contrasted the pub’s warm, rustic ambiance.
Kieran’s knowing gaze commanded my rapt attention with his quiet confidence. Piercing blue eyes met mine, and he nodded subtly, acknowledging our presence.
Beside Kieran was Cormac, who seemed quiet, yet radiated protective energy as his gaze scanned the room with watchful eyes. Aidan lounged nearby, nursing a drink, his calm demeanor making me a little nervous, but there was a sparkle in his gaze that told me there was more to him than meets the eye. The twins, Connor and Caden, were a bit more lighthearted than the rest, their laughter ringing out through the pub at some shared joke between them.
Ada stood beside them, her signature red lips turned up in a smile as she sipped at a glass of whiskey. Her green eyes appraised me, and I wilted a little bit on the inside, hoping she didn’t see right through me.
I couldn’t let them find out who I was. Putting my best foot forward, I smiled and squeezed Liam’s hand a bit tighter.
“Liam, good to see you,” Kieran greeted. His voice carried a subtle declaration of power.
“Kieran, this is Kelsey,” Liam introduced, and I offered a polite smile.
Kieran’s assessing gaze lingered on me for a moment before he spoke, “Welcome, Kelsey. Liam has spoken highly of you.”
Cormac inclined his head, a silent acknowledgment of our presence. Aidan raised his glass in a casual salute, a small smirk playing on his lips.
“Hi, Kelsey!” chimed in the twins simultaneously, their playful camaraderie evident in their body language to each other.
“Nice to meet you all,” I replied, my voice betraying a hint of nerves.
Liam pulled out a chair for me, and I sat, acutely aware of the family’s scrutiny. The atmosphere shifted, the pub walls seemingly closing in, but the Murphys exuded a familial unity that both intrigued and unnerved me.
Aidan, breaking the tension first, flashed a wry grin. “So, Liam, why did it take you so long to introduce us to your lovely lady?”
Liam chuckled, his arm casually draped around my shoulders. “Just making sure she could handle your kind of chaos, Aidan.”
Cormac grinned and spoke up. “Chaos is our specialty.”
Connor and Caden exchanged mischievous glances, “I was wondering when he’d share you with us. Liam’s kept you hidden away, hasn’t he? Why? What’s your story?” Connor teased.
Liam shot the twins a mock glare. “You two behave. She’s not here for an interrogation.”
I smiled politely, my gaze flicking between each one of them.
“You know who we are, don’t you?” Kieran said softly, his blue eyes searching mine.
“I’ve heard a lot,” I replied, maintaining my polite smile. “Liam has filled me in on some family business, but I’m sure there’s more to discover.”
Cormac’s eyes, ever watchful, softened with a hint of curiosity. “And what does Liam say about us, then?”
I met Cormac’s gaze, a glimmer of mystery in my own eyes. “That the Murphys are a force to be reckoned with, but also a family that fiercely protects their own.”
Connor leaned forward, his playful demeanor giving way to a more serious expression. “What else?”
“That you’re a family with a lot of complex layers,” I added carefully, my gaze shifting to Kieran.
Kieran’s piercing gaze held mine, his expression inscrutable. “And what do you make of those layers, Kelsey?”
I swallowed heavily, his eyes never wavering.
“I’d like to hide beneath them, maybe even find a place of my own here with you, by Liam’s side,” I said. Liam’s arm tightened around my shoulders in silent reassurance.
Kieran’s eyes, still locked on mine, betrayed a flicker of something beneath his controlled exterior. “Being with us can be dangerous, Kelsey. It’s not a place for the faint of heart.”
I met Kieran’s challenge with a determined gaze. “I’ve never been one to shy away from danger.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear,” Kieran grinned and all at once, the tension amongst the group dissipated.
“Welcome to the family, Kelsey,” Ada declared, her face bright. I took a nervous breath and let it out.
I’d done it.
I’d infiltrated the Murphys enough for them to accept me as one of their own, and that made me breathe easier. I grinned, and Aidan cleared his throat.
“Now for the real test, what will you have to drink?” he asked, his gaze twinkling with amusement.
“A tequila sunrise,” I quipped. I loved tequila, and I bet they had some good bottles here.
The entire family groaned.
“What?” I asked, feeling a flush creep over my cheeks.
“Should have gone with the whiskey,” Ada winked, and Liam laughed beside me.
Yeah. Maybe I should have.
* * *
After a few hours, I excused myself to go to the restroom, a bit desperate to get a little time by myself to breathe. After Kieran’s questions, the family had accepted me with ease, but it was still taxing to keep my cover, and I needed a break.
Once safely inside, the restroom offered a momentary sanctuary as I pretended to check my reflection in the mirror. It was quiet in here and I took a minute to enjoy it.
The soft murmur of Liam’s and Kieran’s voices reached me, their conversation unfolding in hushed tones just outside the restroom in the hallway. I started, freezing where I stood. Slowly, I reached my hand inside my pocket, discreetly pulling out my cell phone. Without pause, I started recording.
“I don’t trust Zhong Wei Ling, Liam,” Kieran’s voice carried through the air, laced with concern. My eyes widened. I knew that name. He was the kingpin of the local branch of the Chinese triad. Cunning and especially dangerous, he’d been on the FBI’s most wanted list for years, and nothing we pinned against him ever stuck.
Liam’s response was measured, his words tinged with a hint of frustration. “I don’t like it. He has his eyes on Southie.”
“His presence is bringing us unwanted attention,” Kieran said.
“We’ve dealt with threats before, but Zhong Wei Ling is a different breed: calculating, ambitious, and ruthless.” Liam answered thoughtfully, sighing, the weight of the situation evident in his tone. “We can’t let him gain a foothold here. It could jeopardize everything we’ve built.”
“We might need to organize a hit, Liam. It could be the only way to send the triad a message, to ensure they don’t see our turf as their own personal playground,” Kieran offered, his voice lowering at the implication.
“I’ll gather information. See if there are any weaknesses to exploit,” Liam answered.
The hushed voices faded, and I drew my lip back through my teeth. This was the evidence I’d been waiting for, and it had fallen right into my lap.