Page 11 of Liam

“Get your arses in here,” Da hollers, “we’re waiting for you.”

Sera’s girls squad laughs but seems to relax further after Da’s interruption.

“Guess you didn’t know you had a fan club,” I tease Tommy as we enter the kitchen.

“Fuck no, I didn’t,” he sighs, stopping to bend and kiss Lana on the lips before we continue to the table.

Da’s taking charge and introducing everyone. Jeanie’s explaining the table rules about women and children eating first as everyone starts dishing up. I slip into the chair on Da’s right, opposite Adam, and settle my hand on Sera’s thigh. Relaxing as I take a look around the table at all the people, I’m amazed at how much our family has grown in the last months. I can’t help but think my mum would have loved this.

Sera’s hand grips my hand resting on her thigh, and she squeezes it gently, asking me softly—not that anyone would hear anything with the amount of chatter around the table, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,mo chroí,I am,” I reply honestly, because for the first time since Rhett was sent down, I’m content.

CHAPTER 5

SERA

The O’Shea dinner table was loud, happy, and a little chaotic, and I loved it. Liam’s dad, Colm, lorded over the table, a happy, proud look on his face as he watched the shenanigans going on. My girls fit right in, which made me relax a bit. I’d had a feeling they would, but I’d wanted to be sure. Johnny and Maya were just telling us about the night they’d met, and we were in stitches when she got to how he’d been slapped.

For me, it showed what good men the O’Sheas were. Many would have retaliated, but he’d taken it in his stride, and now they were a family of five, having added to Maya’s two children from her first relationship with a gorgeous little boy of their own. Although if you didn’t know better, you’d say that Johnny was Jackson and Emy’s father the way he doted on them, and they loved him in return.

There was no feeling of being uncomfortable, as you’d expect when meeting new people. Instead, there was a deep knowledge that this was my place; these were my people, and instinct told me I’d found my home, and it wasn’t just a place.

No, my home was a slightly broody, if gorgeous-looking, blond Irishman with soulful eyes and a demeanour that came across as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. And he more than likely did if he was in charge of all decisions pertaining to his family and the crews that worked for them, no matter howmuch his brothers helped. I knew this because until a week ago, that had been me. Dad had run the company, and we’d left it in his name while I was enlisted, but all big decisions pertaining to the company had been made by me. This was not something my brother was aware of. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he realised how hard it was to keep the goose golden.

“Johnny, Liam, and I had a meeting this afternoon about what you and I discussed,” Adam interjects, breaking my train of thought. Turning my attention to him, I waited for him to continue, which he did in due course.

“We’d like to offer you the partnership. If you come into the office tomorrow morning, we’ll get the paperwork sorted so you can have your solicitor look it over. And before you worry about the money side, we’ll sit down with you tomorrow and go through everything.”

Suddenly, Adam grins at me, and it lightens his entire serious demeanour he had going on. I could see why Tilly had fallen for him. All the O’Shea men were good-looking men, and by the amount of muscle they were packing, they worked out on the regular. “And don’t worry, I’ve banned Liam from the office until further notice.”

His words set the whole table laughing. Slanting my eyes towards Liam, I see he’s grinning, taking the teasing with good humour. “I seem to recall you not being much different when Tilly came along, brother, and as for Johnny and Tommy, they don’t seem to have grown out of the phase, so I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Liam smirks at Adam.

“Ah Jaysus, is it hot in here,” Billie mutters, fanning her face. “Yous lot need to stop with the accent; this half-Irish lass is getting homesick for some hot Irishmen, and as yous lot are taken, I’m going to have to go hunting.”

Evie, JoJo, and Ange snorts with laughter. “What the hell, Billie? That was broad even for you. Don’t worry, girl; it seems Sera’s man and Maya’s man both own clubs. We’ll go hunting this weekend.”

“If it’s nice Irish lads you’re after, we can help with that,” Colm smiles at Billie. I wasn’t sure what the gleam in his eyes meant, but I’d be watching out if the girls weren’t careful. I had a feeling that Colm, under that gruffness, was a romantic.

“Not for me,” JoJo declares, holding her hand up, “I’m not ready yet.”

“Fair enough, lass. I’ll just wait until you are,” Colm nods, as that decided that. Choking back my laughter at the gobsmacked look on JoJo’s face, I buried my head against Liam’s shoulder. I’d have to fill them in on JoJo’s history, but I had a feeling this move was going to be good for all of us.

Evie, Ange, and Billie caught my eye, their eyes alight with amusement. Supper ended not long after that, and I had to smile when the men got up to clear the table and clean up while Maya sat nursing little Ronan and Tilly had her feet up on Adam’s chair.

“Uncle Liam’s going to take us to the Crows this weekend for Trunk and Treat,” Ally tells me quietly. “Do you want to come with?”

Somehow, I had a feeling this question was a test, and it was one I hope I pass because in the short few hours I’d been in this house, I’d seen how close and tight-knit this family was. It didn’t seem to matter to them that not one ounce of O’Shea blood pumped through the girls’ veins; as far as they were concerned, when Adam and Tilly got married, the girls automatically became O’Sheas, and I can’t say that I hated that idea. In fact, I loved it.

“I’d love to come with, but only if it’s okay with you and Jeanie. I can help Molly and the rest of the Old Ladies while you two escort your uncle around. How does that sound?” I reply.

Jeanie tilts her head to the side, “Do you know the Crows?”

Nodding with a little smile playing around my lips, I tell them, “I was in the same unit as Draco when we were in the Army. Although we met all of them at one time or another, so yes, I know them well.”

“Does that mean you knew our father?” Ally wants to know. Immediately, the tension in the room ratchets up as the men tense and stop talking. Both Maya and Tilly sit up straight. My eyes dart to my girls to see if they’ve noticed, which, of course, they have.

“That depends, darling. Who was your father?” Evie asks gently.

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