Page 6 of Twisted Contract

As shitty as yesterday was, nothing compared to when my little brother John had been taken. Maybe that’s why I have no chill with the governor. Fuck him. I still wonder if he was involved in my brother’s abduction.

I’m in the middle of sending O’Neill an email about the club when my brother calls. What the fuck is he doing calling at this ungodly hour? “Fuck.” Whatever he has to say can’t be good at this time of the day. He’s busy with John and his woman, so he doesn’t call for no reason.

“What’s up?” I grumble, with my throat still a little hoarse.

“Connor, I know you’re busy, but can you do me a favor and go to the bakery for me?” Did he just ask me that? A silly fucking chore like I’m an errand boy. Can’t he send one of his men to pick up a cake or dessert?

“What? I’m kind of busy. I’ve been dealing with the shit you’ve been letting slide over the past three weeks.” While he’s been raising our little brother and playing kissy face with his bride, I’ve had to endure the brunt of the business, meaning no fucking sleep and crazy-as-hell problems.

I’ve managed to get everything under control, even after last night’s bullshit with the governor. That prick was probably pissed because his latest mistress was sucking some other guy’s dick in our club. Not my fucking problem that he can’t keep his whores in their place. Hell, he can’t even keep his wife in line. She left his ass last year.

“I’m sorry, but something has come up and Nora will be upset if I ruin the baker appointment. Apparently, she’s super famous, and she made this fabulous cake that caught Nora’s eye while I left her trapped in the house.” Oh, this isn’t just a treat. This is for the big-ass wedding cake. A thought comes to mind, and I picture the bride and groom topper. I should have them put a leprechaun on there because Jack’s a lucky bastard that Nora would marry his old ass.

Nora’s a sweet woman who did an amazing thing last year by raising John and helping him grow in a way none of us could have imagined. “Is she still pissed about you going out of town?” I chuckled, enjoying his misery because we had to do the babysitting. I actually like Nora, but it is fun busting my brother’s chops.

“No. I made it up to her several times.” I can just picture the jerk grinning on the other end of the phone because he’sgetting off all the time, while I’m too tired to even get my hand on my dick let alone find someone to get off with.

“Lucky fucker,” I grumble.

“Damn right, I am. I want to have a word or two with her family today.” Instantly, my body stiffens, and I’m out of my playful mood. Who knows what arrangement they had with my father for Nora’s hand, and they aren’t happy that Jack and Nora fell in love and they get nothing. I’ve never liked the Fieris, and for good reason. They’re our enemies.

“You sure you don’t want backup?” I don’t like the idea of Jack being around her father. He’s a piece of shit, just like ours. I still haven’t acquitted our father of the kidnapping of my brother. Even if all the evidence points to Espinosa, I can’t shake the feeling that my father was involved. And Fieri’s no better. He wanted to pawn his daughter off on us years ago. He forced Nora to flee instead of letting her live her own life.

“I’m taking Ian with me for this one.” Good. Ian is nuts and always ready to work.

“That’s what I was going to suggest. There’s no damn way I’m in the mood for it. I’m already tired.”

“Too much partying?” I fucking wish that was the problem. Having fun hasn’t been part of my vocabulary in years, thanks to my father and the loss of my mother. My hands are in too many pots to be relaxed enough to enjoy the good life.

“No, I had a run-in with that dickhead governor,” I grunt.

“And you didn’t tell me?” he snarls. I should have called him after they showed up, but for as much as I bitch, he needs peace.

“You’re in your own happy little world and have enough on your plate. Besides, I’m a big boy. Dad hates that prick and keeps picking fights with him, so Saunders’s people pulled a raidon the club last night and had it shut down for no reason. I was able to get it taken care of, but it cost us closer to ten grand. I’m going to sue them, but it will probably cost as much as we lost in just the legal fees alone.” It’s more about principle than anything.

“That prick knows what he’s doing. We need to have a talk with Dad again and tell him to quit it with the asshole. The war has to end because it serves no purpose. Two old bastards going head-to-head, and the only ones paying for it are us.” They need to fight it out. It would be a pathetic match because they are both out of shape and old.

“So damn true. Send me the address, and I’ll take care of it.”

“I owe you one, Connor.”

“That you do, but I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for my favorite sister-in-law. I owe her,” I say, knowing he’s going to ask questions. The smile on my face grows, and I look up at the camera for my backyard just in case he can see me. He has access to all of the cameras on the family compound.

“Why do you owe her?” Jack asks, his jealousy on full display. I wish I could see his face.

“You’re not an asshole anymore,” I chuckle, enjoying my own little petty torments.

“Fuck off.”

“You know…maybe I don’t owe her.” I’m sure he wishes he was in front of me right now so he could deck me one, but he’s not, so he’ll have to settle for getting all red in the face. As kids and young men, we enjoyed taking our frustrations and training out on each other, sparring and wrestling until we were too damn sore to move. It worked to make us strong and tough enough to deal with the hard times. Our bond as siblings isunshakeable, so despite being exhausted, I still plan on running the errand for him, or rather, for Nora.

“Just do it for us,” Jack snarls, getting worked up, which amuses me so damn much. That’s what the asshole gets for working me to the bone lately.

I find amusement in his aggravation as I end the call. I’m happy for my brother, even if I like to tease him. It’s part of my job as his brother and he knows it, even if he doesn’t like it.

“Come on, Cain.” He looks up from his spot where he’s digging a nice hole. “Time to go in. Paws,” I tell him as we reach the pad by the door. He wipes his feet before coming in so his ass doesn’t track mud everywhere. I walk into the kitchen and speak with my housekeeper. “Good morning, Anna.”

“Good morning, Mr. MacNamara. I have Cain’s food ready, and your coffee has just finished.” She has worked for me over the past four years. I think she’s in her late twenties, but I haven’t asked because it’s not my business. My father always told us to keep our female employees at arm’s length because they could get the idea that we want more than just their paid services, which I was sure to be true for some. I wouldn’t know personally because I’ve always kept to that policy.

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