Page 128 of Mob Princess

“Where’s Stuart now? Can’t you get him to make Justin back off?”

I look out the window as I shake my head.

“He died at the warehouse ambush.”

The one Finn led a few months ago.

“Lina, I’m so sorry. I?—”

“From what Ewan told me right after it happened, it was either you or Shane. You guys look so much alike, and my guess is you cover your hair. There’s no way anyone could tell any of you apart from a distance. Maybe Seamus and Cormac from the rest of you, but not them apart from each other. You, Shane, Finn, and Dillan could be quadruplets from a distance.”

“Mo stór, I wish I could have seen into the future.”

“What does that mean?”

“My treasure.”

Other than little girl, that’s the only Irish term of affection he’s used with me.

“Daddy, you couldn’t have possibly known. I don’t hold it against you. You and Stuart were there to do jobs. It wasn’t some stupid bar fight. It wasn’t some random drive by. You both knew what you faced going there. I doubt either of you had much choice, but you went anyway. I wish it hadn’t happened. Stuart was the only person who warned me over and over about Colt. It nearly ruined our friendship, but he stood his ground. Justin tried, but he gave up after I told him to stop. When things went up in flames, I turned to him.”

“And your closeness to Stuart didn’t bother Justin?”

I close my eyes. It’s a reasonable question, and I could give a short answer. But I don’t want to hide the truth.

“Remember what I said to Colt about when we broke up?”

“I will never forget that. I doubt my brother will either.”

I wince. “There weren’t four guys. There were three. Stuart, Justin, and another guy.”

“Justin and Stuart shared you?”

“It’s not like their swords crossed.”

“I love Shane and Finn and would give them the last of everything I have. Except for you. There is no way I would share you with them. I won’t share you with anyone.”

“Because you and I are in a committed emotional and romantic relationship. I wasn’t with them. I was so angry and so hurt. I needed an outlet for all of that, and I trusted those three guys. When I said Justin watched me, it was that night. Some things were collective. Others were not.”

I don’t think Sean wants me to go into more detail. I sure as fucking shit wouldn’t want to hear any of this if he were describing his past with Lucy or any other woman.

“Sean, that was the one and only time I was with either of them. We agreed upon that before we walked into the club that night. It was never brought up until I threw it back in his face today.”

We’re pulling up to the restaurant. We’re late, but I don’t care. Let Justin wonder.

“Daddy, he’s over there. You can’t get out with me.”

“I know.”

“It won’t take long.”

“It’s already taken too long.” He kisses me.

I wish this could go on and on, and somehow we magically arrive in his bed. He controls this kiss, and it’s unrelenting. It makes me want to forget anyone other than Sean exists. I want this to be the prelude to something even more exciting.

“Daddy, when this is done, can we go home?”

“Home?”

---