Cyndi Chapter 9
We walked into my apartment twenty minutes later. Eoin and Frank were left to do whatever they did when they weren’t needed. The place was quiet with Brenda and Sean in St. Augustine. I briefly wondered how long we’d have the place to ourselves. I wished it would be all night.
Removing my coat and heels and tossing my purse on the coffee table, I watched Cormac get comfortable.
He knew what to do. He helped me with my coat, then removed his, hung it up, and took off his shoes.
When he was finished, I offered to get him something to drink, but he declined.
Knowing I’d made him wait long enough, I held out my hand.
Cormac took it, allowing me to lead him to the loveseat.
He made sure I was seated before he sat right next to me.
Our thighs and knees were touching. He twisted his head, and so did I, so that we could look at each other. I noted the tension on his face.
“Dia, Cyndi, you’re killing me. Please, tell me what’s on your mind.
You thought about it the whole way home.
Did my confession at the restaurant scare you?
Or don’t you feel the same as I do? If you don’t feel that way, will you please give it time?
I know you’re attracted to me. Feelings of love can grow.
Just give us a chance.” He was sincerely pleading.
A man like Cormac O’Sheeran wasn’t one to beg. I knew it without him telling me.
On one hand, it showed me he spoke the truth. On the other hand, I was kinda delighted that I made such a powerful, alpha man like him feel that way. However, I would no longer make him wait or beg more. I took his hand in mine. I gazed into his eyes.
“Cormac, what you said to Maureen did surprise me. I loved how you stood up for me, even though I can do that myself. When you said what you did, my heart leaped. I did wonder if it was to scare her off until you told me otherwise. So many emotions filled me when you told me that. Fear, joy, anxiety, disbelief, and more. That’s why I was quiet on the ride home. ”
“So what conclusion did you come to?”
“We’ve known each other for barely a week.
We’ve spent a considerable amount of time getting to know each other.
And I know there’s more to learn. Despite that, and the fact that it hasn’t been long enough, I’m elated that you want to introduce me to the rest of your family, even though I’m scared spitless, too.
As for you wanting to marry me, that is the most tremendous shock of all.
Maureen is right. I’m of a completely different social class than you.
“You effortlessly ignore the people who stare and whisper about you. The ones that openly follow you sometimes, you don’t pay attention to either.
The fact that you have a bodyguard shadowing you everywhere and a driver is unreal.
The money you have isn’t what matters to me, but it does to others.
What if your family thinks I’m a gold-digger?
Or that my humble roots make me not a match for you?
What if one day you grow tired of me or are ashamed you’re with me?
Regret that you married me, if we get that far?
” All my insecurities rolled out of me. When I paused to breathe, Cormac spoke.
“Time is but a number. Some people can know someone for years and know very little about them. I tried to share the real me with you, Cyndi. There’s more to me than the outer trappings.
Yes, I ignore those people you mentioned and don’t think about having Eoin or a driver with me.
It’s due to how I’ve been raised since I was a young child.
However, it doesn’t mean I don’t wish they weren’t there.
I hate having so many eyes on us, especially since it bothers you.
“Regarding my family, you have nothing to worry about. They’ll love you.
And remember, Sean will want to introduce Brenda to our family, too.
He’s as crazy about her as I am about you.
Now, about your concerns that your social status is so much lower than mine.
Well, let me tell you about where I come from and what I do.
I pray to God you don’t decide to leave me after you hear it.
I know I’m not good enough for you, Cyn, but I’m willing to work the rest of my life to become better. ”
“Cormac, how can you say you’re not good enough!?” I exclaimed.
“You’ll see. Let me ask you this. What have you heard about my family?”
His question made me uncomfortable. Sure, I knew what was said. I’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard the stories. But I hadn’t had the guts to ask him yet what he did for work or if those rumors were true. Knowing he was waiting for an answer, I went for it.
“People say that your family is part of the Mafia. That you make all your money through illegal and immoral means. The O’Sheeran family has been investigated by law enforcement more than a few times, but the police can never prove your family is guilty.
You’re wealthy and powerful. People don’t want to offend your family.
I’ve seen that when we’re out. They walk softly around you and Sean.
I assume it’s the same with your parents and Patrick. ”
“It’s more so with Daid and Patrick, since one is the former leader of the family and the latter has taken over that responsibility.
I need you to know that what I’m about to tell you must remain between us.
If it were ever to get out, my entire family would be destroyed.
We have enemies inside and outside law enforcement.
So, even if you leave me, you need to keep this to yourself.
” He was gripping my hands tightly as he said it. I saw the stress on his face.
“What would happen if I didn’t?” I asked, though I shouldn’t. My heart pounded, and a lump formed in my throat.
Cormac’s hand came up to cup my throat. I gasped.
But he didn’t tighten his hold. “Nothing would happen to you. Do you hear me? Nothing. I know what you’re inferring, and my family and I would never harm you, Cyn.
Whether you accept that you’re the woman I want to marry, that you’re my anamchara, my soulmate, it doesn’t change the fact that you are.
And as such, you will be protected not only from outsiders, but from those within the family, not that they’d try to hurt you. ”
“Soulmate? You think I’m your soulmate?” I whispered in disbelief. His hand moved, then his fingers caressed my face and neck.
“Yes, without a doubt, you’re my soulmate.
I love you, Cyndi. And you can say it’s too soon all you want, but I know.
Daid knew the moment he met Mam that she was the only woman for him.
Patrick was the same with Maeve, though there was some misunderstanding at first. I can guarantee you, Sean sees Brenda the same way.
We love fast and hard, but it’s forever.
I know, that’s a lot to hit you with, but I’m telling you the truth.
“Now, back to my roots and family. Yes, we’re officially part of a group of Irish mafia families who live here in the States.
Our parents came over at various times to establish themselves because living in Ireland was too hard.
My daid was one of those Irish immigrants who flocked here but couldn’t find work.
People didn’t like or trust them. Because of that prejudice, he ended up only able to get a job with an Irish family that had already established itself as one dealing in various illegal activities. They were up-and-coming gangsters.
“Daid had to survive, so he did as he was told, even though there were things he detested. But once you were in, you were in for life unless you wanted to be killed. Over time, he established himself with his peers and those above him as someone of honor, staying true to his word. When the leader and his top men went too far, the rest of their ‘family’ revolted. There was a bloody battle that left the leaders and their top people dead. When they were, it left a vacuum at the top. A new leader, Ceannaire, had to be found. To Daid’s shock, he was put forth as a candidate.
When the voting ended, he was the new head of the family.
“He appointed those he trusted most to be his top men and changed the name to the O’Sheeran Family.
He laid out the new rules that everyone had to abide by.
Daid was bloody in enforcing them because some people didn’t agree with the changes made.
We’ve done just about everything you can imagine to make money, Cyndi.
And I won’t lie and say people haven’t been killed.
However, we don’t just whack people for silly reasons.
You have to be a terrible, evil person to warrant that.
For example, rapists, child molesters, those who abuse innocents, or those who sell others are never tolerated.
My family removes them with extreme prejudice when it’s proven that they are guilty.
We don’t do those things, and we don’t sell hard drugs or do forced prostitution. We do have some morals.
“So, you can see that no matter how much money I have, you are far better than I am. I pray that you can overlook the blood on my hands. I’ve never harmed anyone who didn’t truly deserve it. Have I scared you? Destroyed us?”
When he stopped, I sat there with his words racing around my head.
I’d heard a lot of this whispered about them.
To have him confirm it was shocking. To find out that there were things they refused to do had been a relief.
Though relying on illegal means to make a living still wasn’t something I liked.
However, was it enough for me to walk away and never see him again?
As I kept asking myself that over and over, the answer came to me.