Page 3 of Safe and Sound

“Like she isn’t aware,” I grumbled.

Callum snatched my cigarette away and took a long drag. “But the least we can do is not throw it in her face.”

My father’s notorious womanizing was a well-known fact. It sent my blood boiling that our saint of a mother was forced to turn a blind eye to his activities. Fear of losing her children kept her silent and trapped.

Tilting his head at me, Callum asked, “Why aren’t you with your new lady tonight?”

“I can’t get her to answer her phone.”

Quinn’s eyes shot wide. “Don’t tell me she’s dodging your calls?”

When I opened my mouth to respond, Callum smirked as he said, “That’s why he’s mooning about.”

With a scowl, I replied, “Something must’ve happened to her because she’s never dodged my calls before.”

“There’s always a first time for dodging.”

Callum’s chuckle sent rage coursing through me. “Fuck. Off,” I

“Sounds like you’re getting a taste of your own medicine with your conquests.”

I couldn’t argue with him there. At seventeen, I’d never had a relationship that lasted beyond a month. I was far more love em’ and leave em’. I loved the chase but grew bored when I caught them.

But Shannon was different.

Although she had a body for sin, it was her personality that truly won me over. She didn’t give two shites that I was Hugh Kavanuagh’s son. My future position in the clan didn’t intimidate her. She wanted no part of a future life as a soldier’swife. More than anything, she wanted to finish school and get the hell away from the clan life and out of Boston.

Before I could argue with Callum that Shannon wasn’t ditching me, Gibson, one of our father’s men, walked through the doorway. Ignoring Callum and Quinn, his gaze fell on me. “Your father has requested your presence in the barn.”

With a snort, I turned my back to him and flopped down on the couch, “You can tell him to go fuck himself, boyo.”

At the click of a gun at my temple, I jerked my head around. Smirking, Gibson pointed the pistol at me. “Your father anticipated your response and told me how to react.”

As Quinn shot out of his chair, Callum demanded, “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

“A loyal soldier following instructions,” Gibson bit out.

“A fucking lapdog is more like it,” Quinn countered.

With a sneer, Gibson said, “You and I both know your father doesn’t give a shite what I say or do to any of you. He only asks for obedience.” Jabbing the gun at me, he said, “So be a good boy and do as you’re told.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled as I rose off the couch.

When Callum and Quinn started to follow me, Gibson shook his head. “OnlyDarragh.”

Apprehension prickled over me. Nothing good could come from my father wanting to see only me. That meant I was well and truly fucked.

But I wouldn’t show fear.

Not to Gibson or my brothers or least of all my fucking father.

Plastering on my usual cocky grin, I replied, “Let’s go and see what’s so damn important.”

To my surprise, Gibson didn’t put his gun away when we got outside. I rolled my eyes at his small dick energy. Two of my father’s men stood flanking the doors to the barn. When theyrefused to meet my eye, I swallowed down my rising anxiety. After inhaling a sharp breath, I opened the door.

When I stepped inside, the lights were dimmed, casting ominous shadows on the walls. “Da?” I called.

“Over here,” he instructed.

---