Page 270 of Lodestar

CONOR

“Why’smy place becoming the center of operations?”

I shot Finn a tired half-grin. “Yours is the biggestplusyou have the house next door.”

He grunted as he rocked back in an armchair. “You look like shit.”

“I look like an engaged man,” I retorted, my weariness fading at the thought of the ring on Star’s finger.

His brows lifted. “Only you’d propose in the middle of a siege.”

“Technically, it wasafterthe siege, and it was a good moment.”

Finn shook his head. “I gave Aoife the shittiest courtship in history, but I think I still beat you.”

“The shittiest? Has to be better than Da’s.”

“Thanks for making me feel worse, Conor, because I don’t even know now.”

My lips curved. “You’ve got a lifetime to make it better.”

“Already fucked up too many times. I know I’m on my last chance,” he admitted, “and I don’t mind. I deserve that becauseshedeserves the world.”

“She does.” I nodded. “Aoife’s the best. I love how she takes everything in stride.”

“Had to. Back before we got married, one day, Eoghan comes into the apartment with… Jesus, I don’t even remember who it was now. But he’d been stabbed. She offers to start sewing him up because of her training at culinary school. She’s a born mob wife. Just didn’t realize it.”

“Shame we’re turning legit then, isn’t it?” I mocked.

“That’s not guaranteed. Plus, it’ll always be there. Buried deep under the rug. Our ties weak. We need a good front and Aoife’s bakery will provide that.”

“How’s it going on convincing her to let us help her expand?”

“She’s driving a hard bargain.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning she wants royalties.”

“On her recipes?”

“Yup.” His eyes twinkled. “So fucking proud of her. I told Aidan that she’ll fuck him up the ass and he needs to thank her if he wants Shay in the White House.”

“What did he say?” I asked around a yawn.

“He said she’d be gentler than Savannah, so he’s good with it.”

Lips quirking, I sighed as I took a sip of coffee. “Tell her to add ten percent to whatever her royalties are.”

“I did.” He smirked again before, concerned, asking, “How did it go today?”

“They had it under control. Pussy patrol for the win.” At his snort, I continued, “How about with Dagda?”

“He could be better. He’s in one of our ‘hospitals.’”

I nodded. “Aoife didn’t want to see him?”

“I think she’s considering it.”

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