Page 57 of Fractured Heart

“I think we all did. Laiken is our family and it seemed only right that he has a place here with his cousin.” I drop my gaze to the ground in shame. “Xander?” I slowly lift my gaze back to hers. “I believe that you did what you did that night for a reason.” I reel back.

“What?”

“I believe that my baby wasn't meant to be here with us because he or she was meant to be waiting for Laiken at those pearly gates.” Fuck, I can’t stop the tear that breaks free from rolling down my cheek.

Waverly

Three months later…

Xander, Trevante, Kimber, Anna, Nano, Calvin and Brett all stand there, staring at me like I have lost my fucking mind.

“Say that shit one more fucking time for me, Doxy?” Xander grits out through clenched teeth.

I pin him a warning glare. “Don’t fucking push me, Grayson. I want all the clubs reopened but not as strip clubs. I want them to be normal night clubs that the girls can work in. They are to have security manning inside and outside at all times, all of the girls will be escorted to their cars after each shift.”

“You want to reopen the clubs that were targeted by enemies of Karl’s?” Trey barks at me. I shoot him a scathing look that has him narrowing his eyes.

“If any of those soft cocks want to come after us, then let them. I run Ireland not them. My girls need jobs and I won’t have them turning tricks on a fucking corner. Get it done now. Anna and Kimber will be overseeing the everyday operations while Nano runs the rest of the business while we are back in Canada.” At the mention of why I am doing this, both my guys relent and nod their heads. We have been playing clean up since we got back here months ago. We've had old enemies of Karl’s trying to push me out but the moment I was appointed as the head of the Irish at the meeting in Switzerland two months ago by the other head families, the attacks have died down.

“When do you leave, Doxy?” Brett asks.

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll be gone for two weeks,” I answer.

“What do you want done with the pigs?” We no longer call Karl or the other’s by their names, they are just known as the pigs. Every day they are visited by men who have loved destroying them, it’s a beautiful sight to see.

“I want pictures of them taken and emailed to Ian. I want him to know that this is how we treat anyone who deals in the skin trade and if he doesn’t want to make an enemy of me he will hand over a list of girls he has sold or we will take England from him.” Pride shines in Nano’s eyes as he smiles and nods.

“On it, Doxy,” he says as he, Brett and Calvin leave but not before wishing me, Trey and Xan good luck. Only Kimber, Anna, the three of them and William know why we are going back to Canada.

“I’ll call Davis in the morning and have him send through a report of the damages to the clubs from when we took them down and figure out the cost of the repairs.”

“Thanks, Kimber.”

“Also, Taylan and I were talking about a new business venture if you are interested?” I purse my lips and fight not to roll my eyes. Since they met, Kimber and Tay have become close and I worry his stupid ass tendencies will rub off on her.

“What is it?” I ask.

“How would you feel about setting up arenas here and in other countries for MMA fights?” I reel back in shock.

“Who came up with that idea?” Xan asks.

She shrugs and nibbles on the corner of her lip. Anna sighs and answers for her. “Kimber did, she talked it over with Tay who thought it was a fucking great idea and if you didn’t jump on it he would take it to Knox.” My jaw unhinges.

“That slimy motherfucker!” I growl. “Change of plans, Anna you take over meeting with Davis. Kimber make some calls and figure out what we need to do for these arenas. Pick the most profitable countries and send me a list. I’ll bring it to the heads of the families when we meet next. We’d have to give them kickbacks but I’m good with that as long as it brings in a large profit.” Kimber beams and nods her head eagerly. Anna shakes her head and waves us off as she leaves. The minute she’s gone, I look at Kimber. “Any luck with the search?”

The happiness melts off her face as she shakes her head. “Not yet,” she mutters. I reach into my back pocket and pull the slip of paper out and hand it to her. “What’s this?” she asks as she takes it.

“The number on that paper is for Chaos Murdoch, he’s good friends with my brother. He’s part of the Memento Mori and they are said to be the best trackers. Chaos has even offered to call in his uncle who is known as the Bloodhound to help search for your daughter. Vincent Murelo is the best at his job and if we have any hope of finding your daughter, these people are the ones who are going to be able to do it.” Her bottom lip trembles as tears fill her eyes.

“Thank you!” she chokes out before launching herself at me and crushing me in a hug that I return. “I mean it, Doxy, thank you.” I tighten my hold on her as I answer.

“I gave you my word I would never give up and I meant it.” She pulls back and smiles.

“I’m so proud of you, Dede,” she mutters before placing a kiss to my cheek and leaving. I stand here shocked and feeling slightly weird over her being so emotional. Kimber is like me, she’s cold and constantly in bitch mode so this is weird. I snap out of it when Trey comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, then places a kiss to the top of my head.

“We’re proud of you as well.” I tilt my head back and smile up at him.

“Thanks,” I breathe out a second before he kisses me. I melt into him groaning at the taste of him on my tongue.

---