Page 64 of Taken By the Mobster

Olivia squeezed Declan’s hand so hard, her nails dug into the palm. She shifted in her seat, glanced at the door, then down at the menu on the table in front of her.

“Hey,” Declan said. “Look at me.”

Olivia looked up, her lower lip caught between her teeth, and her eyes wide and frightened.

“It’s okay. Everything will be fine,” he said.

Olivia grimaced. “You don’t know my father, Declan. He’s a hard man. And that’s on a good day.”

“Liv!”

A tall, blonde girl with an athletic build burst through the door of the café and raced toward their table. Olivia moved just as quickly, climbing to her feet to meet the girl halfway. They embraced, both crying.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were away at school,” Olivia asked.

“When I found out Daddy was meeting you here, I had to come,” the blonde explained. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Olivia peered around the blonde. “Where’s Daddy?”

“He’s coming. Grady wouldn’t let them out of the car until he checked things out. I didn’t care.” The girl rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I’ll hear about it later.”

Declan cleared his throat. Olivia swung around, a blush coloring her cheeks.

“Shit, sorry,” Olivia said. “Declan, this is my little sister, Caitlin. Caitlin, this is Declan Quinn.”

Declan rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Caitlin.”

Caitlin looked him up and down as she shook his hand. “Handsome, Liv. Nice job.”

Olivia punched her sister on the shoulder and giggled. They both sat down, and Declan couldn’t help but notice how alike the sisters were. They didn’t look alike; Caitlin was tall, blonde, thin, and athletic, while Olivia was a few inches shorter than Caitlin, with dark hair and a more voluptuous body. Their mannerisms gave them away—the identical laughter, the way they sat, and the way they spoke.

Out of the corner of his eye, Declan saw Grady McCarthy stalk through the café door. He stopped as the door swung closed and looked around. Once he saw the sisters, he opened the door and held it open.

Sean O’Reilly entered. No one looked in his direction, not because they didn’t know he was there, but because they were keenly aware of his presence. No one looked at him because they didn’t want to draw his attention or his ire.

A gorgeous, regal woman followed O’Reilly through the door. As soon as she saw Liv and Caitlin, she pushed past O’Reilly and rushed across the room.

“Olivia!” she cried.

“Mom!”

The family reunion went on for several minutes. Declan sat at the table, out of the way, with no intention of disturbing Olivia’s joyous return to the O’Reilly family. He didn’t move until Sean O’Reilly reached out to shake his hand.

“Thank you for bringing my daughter home, Mr. Quinn.”

Declan jumped to his feet and shook the mobster’s hand. “My pleasure, sir.”

“Let’s have a seat,” he said. “I understand they have made some changes in the Muldoon family hierarchy, and we need to talk.”

“Yes, sir, you are correct.” Declan cleared his throat. “We need to talk.”

Chapter 30

Olivia

An hour after her parents and sister arrived, Declan and her father moved to the other side of the restaurant. Olivia knew they were talking about the recent changes to the Muldoon hierarchy and, most likely, her. She itched to get out of her seat and join them; after all, they were discussing her life. But she knew her father wouldn’t approve, and it might stop any negotiations. She would wait and join them when the time was right.

That time came close to midnight. Grady approached the table where she sat with her mother and sister.

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