Page 15 of Finn

“Language, Eoghan. And turn off the damn game. Alessia and her parents are here.” She shakes her head in disappointment when she looks at Finn. “I told you to meet us at the door, and instead, you’re in here turning your brain to mush with your brother.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Finn stands and offers her a sheepish look. “But Eoghan was crying like a baby about how I never play him anymore because he’s such a sore loser, and I didn’t hear you.”

“You’re a damn liar,” Eoghan says.

“Boy, if I have to tell you one more time to watch your mouth…” Maeve lets the threat trail off, and Eoghan shoots Finn a scathing glare.

“Sorry, Mom,” the younger Monaghan concedes.

Finn walks around the couch and greets me with a kiss on both cheeks before saying hello to my mother and shaking my father’s hand.

Eoghan approaches me with an outstretched hand and introduces himself. “Nice to meet you, Alessia. Listen, if at any point you want to run away with the more attractive brother who’s a hell of a lot more fun than this sorry sack, you just let me know.”

Finn walks up to Eoghan and smacks him on the back of the head, just like his mother did moments ago.

“Stop trying to flirt with my fiancée.”

“What the hell is with this family and hitting me in the head today?” Eoghan says, rubbing his abused skull. “And I wasn’t trying. I was simply letting her know she’s got other options and doesn’t have to be stuck with your boring ass for the rest of her life.”

“From what I hear, your brother is anything but boring.” Why am I bringing this up?

Finn’s brows quirk up. “You've been checking up on me, sweetheart?” That damn smirk has made its appearance again.

“I like to know who I’m going into business with.”

“Well, don’t believe all the rumors unless, of course, they tell you I never leave any woman in my bed unsatisfied.”

“You’re getting a little ahead of yourself there, sweetheart. No one has said anything about me ever being in your bed. We’re married on paper for the good of both of our families, not because I find you irresistible and can’t wait to fall into a bed that countless women have been in before me.”

Yes, I’m aware I’m being a bitch, but seriously? He’s crossing so many lines no man would ever dream of crossing with me at the moment, and I don’t find it particularly amusing or charming.

At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

“I wouldn’t say countless,” Finn counters, completely ignoring the rest of my statement.

I roll my eyes and turn away from Finn and Eoghan to face my parents and my future in-laws, who have walked outside to the patio. Thankfully, the French doors were left open, allowing the breeze to cool my heated skin. There’s something about this man that lights a fire in the pit of my stomach, and I’m not entirely sure I hate it.

“You have a lovely home, Maeve. Thank you so much for inviting us,” I say, walking outside to the seating area that overlooks an expansive backyard with a pool and an entire outdoor kitchen and bar setup.

Cormac rises from his seat and offers to pour me a glass of wine, which I accept with an appreciative smile. Finn and his brother join us outside with beers in their hands as though this is a relaxed dinner between old family friends instead of being the first time the Amattos and Monaghans have shared the same space without being heavily armed.

As I’m finishing my wine, a stout woman who looks to be in her sixties comes out to the patio and announces dinner is ready. Cormac is the first to stand, ushering my parents to the dining room as Maeve loops her arm through mine. “I know my boys can be a bit…much. But can I just say how happy I am to have a daughter after all the testosterone I’ve had to deal with for the last thirty or so years?”

I smile, wondering if she knows the context of my marriage to her son.

“It may not be what you had planned when you were a little girl, but Finn is a good man with a fierce heart, and I can tell you have the same.” Her warm smile succeeds in putting me at ease, even though this situation is anything but comfortable. “Just a word of advice, if I may?”

I nod, and she leans in closer, as though we’re sharing a secret. “Don’t let him push you around. He’s used to people following his orders, but I think we both know who’s the real head of a family.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I reply, mirroring the conspiratorial gleam in her eye.

“No, I don’t suppose I will.”

Chapter five

Finn

Aweek and a half later, I’m standing in the small makeshift locker room in the basement of one of our bars we use for the fight nights Eoghan puts together. The room is sparse, with concrete floors and a metal bench sitting in front of a couple beat-to-hell lockers. It’s not fancy, and the room smells like old mildew and sweat, but Eoghan says it adds to the authentic grittiness of these types of underground fights. I can’t argue his logic considering they bring in a pretty penny for the family, and my brother thrives in this kind of environment. It’s not often I participate in the fights, but with all this shit with Cataldi and my wedding, which is going to be taking place tomorrow, I need to blow off steam.

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