Page 24 of Dublin Devil

“Why those things?”

“That was what our father believed we could dominate, while still keeping the streets of Dublin safe. This city was his life, and he believed its citizens were his to protect regardless of us living outside the law. He drew up the truce agreement with your father in a way that allowed both territories to thrive and not to compete overtly with one another.”

I don’t remember life before the truce with the Quinns, but I’ve heard my older brothers talk about it sometimes. It was a violent and scary time.

“And my father chose what he wanted to control?”

“Aye, he did.”

“And he chose sex trafficking?”

Sean frowns and I can tell what he thinks of that decision. “I suppose there’s a lot of money in it, but our father had no interest in the exploitation of innocents.”

“But your family has prostitution. I’ve heard my brothers talk about how your brothels are bad for business.”

Sean scoffs. “Bad for McGuire business, maybe.”

“So you admit that you do have prostitution. Isn’t that exploiting innocent women?”

Sean shakes his head. “Not even a little. We own several gentlemen’s clubs where women are free to work. We provide a safe location, security, and access to all medical needs to ensure the girls are clean and able to care for themselves. They run their business. They choose their clients. And yes, they pay us for the use of the space and the services we provide, but they keep the lion’s share of their earnings. We’re only there to assist. It’s good business.”

I draw in a deep breath. That’s not at all how my brothers talk about the ‘whores’ they run. They laugh at the Quinn Laws and say how stupid they are. But I don’t think they’re stupid. I think they’re commendable.

In a violent, criminal world, they’re trying to do right by the people as they make their money.

“My father only cares about power and profit.”

The mattress dips as he sits on the edge of the bed. He sends me a compassionate smile and then he gives my hand a squeeze. “You can’t help the family you were born into and aren’t responsible for the choices they make. You are your own person.”

“Am I? I’ve always been a McGuire. I was proud of being from a powerful family, but if my reality is sex trafficking and a father who offers my virginity to Bratva brutes, what is there to be proud of?”

Saying it aloud makes the horror of it too much to bear. Another round of tears falls, and I clench my eyes shut to stop from falling apart. “I hate this. I hate all of it. All I wanted was to be valued by my father and to be given the same respect my brothers have. Now I feel like I’m about to shatter into a million pieces.”

Sean brushes a finger beneath my chin and lifts my teary gaze to meet his. “I won’t let you shatter, Piper. And if you do, I’ll pick up every wee piece and help you pull yourself together again. I promise.”

Man…why does he have to say things like that?

I can’t fall for a Quinn.

Sean tugs me forward and wraps his arms around me. His embrace is strong and warm, and the scent of his leather MC vest fills my senses.

I don’t care why he’s being so kind to me. At least there’s one person who cares if I’m holding it together after the worst night of my life.

Sean’s hand brushes up my spine and clasps the back of my head, holding me against him. There’s nothing tentative about the way he handles me. He’s confident in how he touches a woman. How many women would it take to be this comfortable with this kind of closeness?

A dozen? A hundred? More?

He’s almost ten years older than me, so there’s no telling what experiences he’s had.

And I’ve had none.

Still, his arms are around me tonight and not another woman. That’s all I need to focus on. That and how safe and cherished he makes me feel, despite the situation.

“Now that you know the truth about your father, you can make your own choices—informed choices—about what you want your life to look like going forward.”

I don’t want to go forward. Sitting here, wrapped in his arms, I want to stay like this forever. When was the last time anyone hugged me like this?

Has anyoneeverhugged me like this?

---