Page 61 of Mob Princess

“No. I don’t need nor want a babysitter. Thank you for the offer. The best you can do right now is carry this and my roll aboard downstairs for me, please.”

I get out a soft-sided carry on and start collecting the few personal touches I have in here before going into the en suite bathroom to collect my toiletries. When I hear Ewan moving down the stairs, I dash back to my purse and pull out a burner.

Me

I’m leaving tonight. I’m fine but it’s time.

Now I just have to figure out what to tell Seamus and Cormac when they spot me walking out with suitcases.

Chapter Twelve

Lina

Things went smoothly with Seamus and Cormac. I know they saw Ewan load my car with my luggage. Colt stood beside my brother while I didn’t bother looking back before driving away. I pulled off about a quarter of a mile from Ewan’s house, into a supermarket parking lot. Cormac and Seamus walked over to the car and got in.

I told them what happened, and it took five minutes of arguing before they agreed to leave Ewan and Colt alone. They wanted to arrange for my brother and his best friend to get in a fender bender that would wind up with them beaten up when they got out of the car to exchange information. I don’t need that shit added to my plate right now. I warned them that hurting Ewan would just put me in a position to help him again.

I gave them the directions to my new place, so they’d know I have an end plan. Or at least a middle plan. I wouldn’t mind seeing Sean as part of the end plan. For now, I told them I’m headed to a friend’s place in Belchertown, which is an hour and a half outside Boston. Nowadays, it’s as much fun to say as it is to live there. I wish it were fall because the foliage is as amazing as people claim about New England.

“Hey, stay inside when I get there. I’ve got bodyguards with me, and I don’t want to explain why I’m staying at a guy’s place.” I have my phone connected to my car’s Bluetooth.

“I thought you left Ewan, so why do you have security?” Jesse’s a guy I met while in college.

He’s a semi-pro bodybuilder and gorgeous. He’s also gay. I don’t for a moment think Seamus or Cormac would object to that. It’s the part about them seeing Jesse before I can explain I’m only into Sean. I know I could have told them while we were talking earlier, but shit’s more complicated than him just being a man I’m staying with.

“It’s a story better told in person. I’ll use the hidden key and let myself in. They’ll park on the street at opposite ends. They won’t get out of the car unless they perceive I’m in danger.”

“And they think I’m a threat?”

“No, because they won’t see you. I’ll explain what I can once I’m there. It’ll be about twenty minutes.”

“Fine.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“I know you do. That’s why you have an open invitation to stay as long as you want.”

“Just a couple days, but you’re awesome.”

“I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Bye.”

We hang up, and I think back to when I met Jesse. I was in Boston visiting Ewan during summer break, and I still had friends I’d made during my visits as a kid. We’d hang out, so I could escape my family. They’re all mob daughters, so they know my brother. They knew my dad, so they understood why I liked to get away. Jesse worked at a male strip club, and one of my friends thought he was so hot. He is. But when she tried to get his number, he declined.

About three weeks later, the same group of friends and I went to a drag show brunch. Best brunch I’ve ever had. I had this niggling feeling I knew a performer. It took me the entire meal to figure it out. Jesse came by our table during a song. When I smiled and gave him a slight nod, he knew I’d recognized him. We talked after the show and hit it off. We’ve been friends ever since.

You’d never in a million years believe he owned a company that has three hundred vending machines throughout five counties and make him a very lucrative income. He’s never been flashy about his wealth. He started stripping in college for the money and stays because he loves to dance. The drag shows are a creative outlet for him.

I pull into the driveway and pop the trunk. I’m certain Seamus and Cormac want to sweep the entire area before I get out. I open my door before either of them can approach me. I step out and nod as Cormac drives past. I’m pretty sure I can see his scowl. I grab my luggage from the car and wheel it to the front door. I know Jesse hides the key under some mulch, beneath a rock.

“Jesse, get out of the way!” Fuck me.

He’s standing just inside the door, and I’m certain Seamus just spotted him since he drove past. He came from the opposite direction from his brother.

“Nice to see you too, sweet cheeks.”

I get my suitcases through the door, and he helps roll them into the living room. I kicked the door closed behind me. I give him a hug, and it’s as reassuring as it’s always been. Jesse’s who I turned to when my dad died. He was one of the few people I could confide in that I felt nothing about his death, but I felt guilty because I believed that made me a shitty person. My mom was the only other person. In front of everyone else, I didn’t lie about my lack of feelings. I was evasive.

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