Brenda Chapter #2
I held my breath waiting to hear what he would say.
I wasn’t sure what I’d do if he said yes that he was.
Would it change how I felt about him? If he wanted me despite my humble roots, what would it mean for me, us, if he were a mobster?
And what exactly did he do as one? What kind of illegal activities was his family involved in?
“Brenda, the answer is yes, my family is an Irish Mafia family. When my daid came to America, he was offered work by a mobster family. It was the only work he could get. No one wanted to hire him. As time passed, he rose through the organization. He was well-liked by others in it. His reputation for fair dealings with people became well-known. However, he didn’t agree with everything they did, though he followed orders.
Not to do so meant death not only for the offender but also for their family.
“When the leadership in that family went too far, some of the members mutinied. The leader and his top men were killed. That meant a new leader was necessary. To Daid’s shock, they wanted him.
A vote made him the new head of the family.
That was how the O’Sheeran Mafia came to be.
He grew it, implementing his rules and beliefs, and he raised his sons to do the same. ”
His reveal wasn’t a total surprise, but I was more curious.
What were the rules and beliefs? How were they different from the dangerous Mafia I heard and read about in the news?
The ones ordering murders of whole families and selling drugs and people to make money.
The thought that Sean was involved in such activities made me sick to my stomach.
I hadn’t realized I’d put my hand up to my mouth until he tugged it away.
“Brenda, say something. I feel your distress.” Concern was evident in his tone.
“Sean, I… this… I mean.” I paused to gather my words.
“What you told me scares me, if I’m being honest. I hoped the rumors were untrue.
Knowing you’re like those families we hear about that are responsible for so much pain and suffering, all to make you richer, makes me ill.
I’m sorry. I can’t do this. Please take me home. ”
My voice was a mere whisper by the end. I went to stand, but Sean grabbed my waist and pulled me back down on the chaise.
His face was tight. Oh God, what had I done?
I should’ve found a way to lie and end the evening, and then, after I was safely home, told him we couldn’t see each other anymore.
The thought of doing it, ending us, made my chest hurt, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. It was agony.
“Tell me exactly what pain and suffering you think my family is responsible for. What things can’t you handle?” he asked, stunning me.
“What difference does it make?”
“If it will end us, a great deal. I hope that after spending all this time with me this past week, you know the kind of man I am. I have blood on my hands, I admit, but I’m not the devil you think I am.”
“Then tell me what you do,” I demanded, though not as forcefully as I liked.
“We’ve been involved in what the law refers to as racketeering activities. Typically, those are along the lines of actual or threat of gambling, murder, kidnapping, bribery, robbery, arson, dealing in controlled substances, and other serious crimes,” he stated boldly. My stomach knotted.
“You kill people? Kidnap them? Sell drugs?” I half-moaned.
“I won’t say Daid didn’t do all those when he had no choice. However, after he took power, changes were made. We don’t hire out to kidnap or murder people. I won’t lie and say we don’t ever do those things, but the circumstances are different.”
God, it was growing worse. Before I could say more or attempt to escape, Sean leaned closer.
“I’m telling you things that you can never tell another soul, Brenda. Even if you leave me, you have to keep your mouth shut,” he warned.
“Or you’ll have to kill me and anyone I love,” I whispered.
“No! I won’t harm you or your loved ones.
I won’t do that, and Patrick won’t order it.
Whether you accept me or not, you’re my anamchara, my soulmate.
You are sacred to my family, whether or not you marry me.
You’re an innocent. We don’t do that, even to save ourselves.
That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t be bribing officials to make it go away.
“My family makes its money from illegal gambling, loan sharking, and laundering money, but only for ourselves. We smuggle in items considered contraband in the United States and sell those. Guns are among that contraband. We stipulate that these items aren’t sold to minors.
If we discover they are, there are immediate and painful consequences.
The only arson committed is when it comes to organizations bleeding innocent people dry or making threats.
Those are the people whom we may have to kidnap and persuade to stop, if it’s minor.
We kill them if it’s egregious, such as rape or murder.
We don’t deal in selling hard drugs, merely marijuana.
People aren’t forced into prostitution, though we sell sex at our strip clubs.
Anyone doing it is there voluntarily. We don’t do rape.
And we sure the fuck don’t sell humans for any reason. ”
His explanation left me speechless. I sat there for a while, going over the things he named in my mind and examining how I felt about each of them.
Finally, he came to his feet to pace the length of the bedroom.
He ran his hand through his hair, his face screwed up in a look that resembled anguish.
Watching him and knowing it was the thought of losing me that had him so upset settled my fears.
I stood and caught him mid-pace. He stared at me as I placed my hands on his chest. His heart was beating fast.
“Sean, I can’t say I’m thrilled by all the things your family is involved in.” He tensed, so I hurried to continue before he interrupted.
“But that being said, I am happy to hear that you have boundaries and that harming those who are innocent isn’t something you do.
That you’re not involved in heinous crimes such as rape, murder for hire, hard drugs, and selling people.
Do I wish that you’d one day get away from the others?
Yes, but I know that’s easier said than done.
If you can swear to me that those things mentioned we both believe are horrible will never become part of your business, then I’ll stay. ”
His stunned expression stood out as he hoarsely whispered, “You’ll stay with me? Why?”
“Because the reason I asked in the first place is I’m falling for you, Sean. It’s crazy, and most people would say I need my head examined, but I can’t help it. I want to be your girlfriend and see where it leads us.”
I barely finished my confession before he scooped me up and carried me to the bed.
He lay me down and then lay next to me. He brought me to him, and he kissed me.
It was exactly what I hoped he’d do and what I wanted.
Or at least the place I wanted to start.
If I were to be his, then I needed to commit and do so more than in words. Deeds spoke volumes.