Page 114 of Shadow Dance

We knock fists. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Thanksfor coming by,” he says, sitting on the edge of his desk. “You’re probably up to your eyeballs in wedding prep.”

“There’s not that much more to do, actually,” I say. “Maeve was lying down for a nap when I left.”

“Good, good.”

“So, what’s up?” I ask, glancing at the other men. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s great.” Lucky pauses, rubbing his chin. “But we’ve been wanting to talk to you about something.”

“I’m listening.”

“You know I had my doubts when we first met, but you’ve proved me wrong. You treat my sister well?—”

“You treat her extremely well,” Owen interrupts.

“Yes.” Lucky smiles, canting his head. “You do. You work hard, you don’t complain, and you keep your mouth shut about the Red Sox even though I know you have opinions.”

I shrug. “Well, I’m more of a basketball fan. Don’t shit on the Knicks, and we’re good.”

They all chuckle.

“All right, all right. Once you and Maeve are married, you’ll officially and legally be a part of this family.” He smiles a little. “There are responsibilities that come with that. A reputation to uphold.”

I wish I could say I didn’t see this coming, but I did.

When I moved to Boston, I was starting over. Again. And because I had no one in this city except for the Kellys, they became my people. Maeve and I moved into an apartment blocks away from Lucky and Bria, and I joined the crew at Kelly Logistics. I even started working out at Callaghan’s with Tristan and going to Mass with everyone on Sundays.

Family dinners. Birthdays. Anniversaries. One day, at brunch after church, I looked around the table and realized that the Kellys had become my family. They’d accepted me when Maeve chose me, giving me a sense of unconditional belonging I hadn’t felt in years.

But marrying Maeve means I’m going to be closer than close, so I knew the day was coming when Lucky would ask me to choose. Am I in, or am I out? I know he trusts me, but he wants to know if he has my loyalty.

“We look out for our own, and we protect what’s ours. I need to know that if push comes to shove, you’ll have our backs. Because we have yours.” I know what he’s asking of me. It’s not just about being a good husband to Maeve or not making waves. It’s about committing to the Kellys’ way of life.

It’s about Saoirse.

“I understand,” I say with a brief nod. The me of ten years ago never would have believed what I’m about to say. “Maeve means everything to me, and by extension, so do you guys. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Are you sure about that?” asks Lucky, his voice deceptively soft. “You can take time to think about it if you need, because once you go down the rabbit hole, there’s no coming out.”

“Trust me, I know.”

“Would you pledge your life?”

This is it. My heart skips a beat as memories of the oath I once took as a police officer flash through my mind. I’d been so young then, so sure of myself. Everything was clear cut. But like I told Maeve, good people exist on both sides of the spectrum.

The Kellys might engage in morally gray and even illegal activities to protect their interests, but they do so with a sense of honor. I’ve watched them protect each other, and often their community, in ways the law can’t or won’t.

There’s nothing else out there for me. Nothing else I want.

I look Lucky in the eye, unblinking. “I would.”

“We’re bound by loyalty, not the law, Cruz. Will you keep Saoirse’s secrets and uphold the code?”

“Yes.”

“Do you promise never to betray us?”

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