O’Sheeran’s Gifted Angels (25 Days of Christmas: Bikers & Mobsters)

Chapter 1

The entire family was gathered, as was tradition, not at our compound in Florida, in the States, but at our home in Ireland.

Although various family members might visit at different times throughout the year, we all made sure to spend at least a few days together here over Christmas.

There was something magical about being back in éireann, Ireland, the country where our parents were born and from which they immigrated before we were born.

Despite not having been born here, our identities were firmly Irish. We never forgot where we came from.

I liked to think that by coming here, we recharged not only our souls, but our bond as a family.

It brought us even closer. Many would question the need for that, seeing as we were so close-knit that all my children, plus my two brothers’ children, all lived on a compound, or the Commune as Kynedi, my nephew Tiernan’s wife, called it.

She’d been embarrassed and ready to kill Tiernan when he told us she had nicknamed it that.

However, the entire family thought it was hilarious and apt, so we began calling it that.

We knew that our family situation was unique, especially in the Irish Mafia world.

Of course, we were technically now out of the illegal businesses that made us the Mafia during our father’s time and many years of our time.

Well, except for the whole Hounds of Justice deal.

That was the arm of ourselves that still participated in illegal activities.

But the Hounds were there to right wrongs that harmed the innocent and our loved ones.

It was vigilante justice with a conscience.

Despite our less tarnished selves, our reputation as the most prominent, strongest, and most feared Irish Mafia family in the States remained. And it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most of the time, it kept the other families in check, and outsiders feared messing with us.

We were about to gather in the great room of our home for the night.

It would be lively and loud when you added the fifteen adult children my brothers and I had between us, the six spouses so far, other family members, and we couldn’t forget the seven plus one on the way, children, and our màthair, mother.

Thankfully, we had a massive home that accommodated everyone.

The Aran Islands were a beautiful place, and our athair, father, Conall, had bought the land and had our home built here many years ago.

He wanted a place where his family could soak up their heritage.

Both of our parents were fiercely proud Irish.

They might’ve had to go to America to find a way to live, but they loved their homeland.

The landscaping was lush and beautiful. Athair had even had a manmade lake created, as if there wasn’t enough water around. He’d had a thing for water, and every property we owned was near it in one shape or another.

December wasn’t in most people’s minds the ideal time to visit the Aran Islands due to the chilly weather and rainfall.

However, we dressed warmly if needed, and the sight of storms, rain, or even violent seas was a welcome sight.

Due to the chilly weather, we had a fire going in the great room.

Our mam, mom, Saoirse, or Seerie, as she asked friends and family to call her, was wrapped up and seated closest to the fire.

At ninety-one, she deserved the most comfortable and warmest spot in the house.

My brothers, Cormac and Patrick, and I ensured our mam never wanted for anything.

She was the strongest woman we knew. We not only loved but respected her.

Our wives, children, their spouses, and their children were the same.

Seerie O’Sheeran was the matriarch and backbone of the family.

At the moment, several were hovering around her, making sure she didn’t need anything.

I smiled. She hated it when people fussed, but we did it anyway.

“What put that smile on your face?” Cormac asked from behind me.

My senses told me someone had walked up, though in this house, I knew it wasn’t an enemy.

It was why, though I was armed, I hadn’t reacted.

No matter how secure we may have believed the house was, all the men in this room and several of the ladies were armed.

Danger was still a daily concern for us.

Hence, we had bodyguards and knew how to protect ourselves.

During this trip, only a few guards came with us. They were staying in the guesthouse next door. We did this annually, so they rotated who came. As a token of appreciation for their sacrifice in being away from family and friends during the holiday, we always paid them a bonus.

“I was recalling how Daid, Dad, and Mam bought this house years ago. She’s the glue that holds this family together. I love seeing her surrounded by another generation, who are learning to dote on her. I love our life, Cormac.”

“I do too. It was hard-won, and at times I wondered if we’d ever make it to this point. Hell, I thought we’d be dead years ago. What we’ve achieved is nothing short of a miracle. We need to celebrate and cherish every day we have.”

I nodded in agreement. There were no words for me to add. I watched as more of our kids joined us. It would soon be time for one of the activities everyone loved. I couldn’t wait to see what was asked this year.