Page 32 of Stolen Rival
“Darragh told me.”
“Fucking snitch.” He shovels a piece of black puddinginto his mouth. “If he got laid a bit more often, it might stop him poking his nose into my sex life.”
“I think he gets laid plenty.”
“Yeah.” A shit-eating grin spreads across his face. “It’s only you who doesn’t.”
He isn’t wrong. It’s been months since I got my dick wet. Too busy making sure this deal with Dylan goes ahead and preparing for consolidation with the O’Sullivans—a waste of time as it turned out. From the minute Dylan shared the news three months ago that he was terminal, I’ve been on maneuvers making sure it’s me who inherits his territory.
Just one final piece of the puzzle, and I’ll triple the size of my domain, including the unexpected takeover of the McCarthy turf. And that’s just the start. Once I’ve got a foothold in the United States, I’ll expand.
“Although,” Liam continues, scarfing down the last bite of sausage. “That’s about to change, right?” He flashes another white-toothed smile. “Bet she’s a scrappy little thing in bed. Might have to tape oven gloves to her hands so you get to keep your eyes.”
“I can handle her.”
“I guess we’ll soon see.” He rises from the table and stacks his plate and cutlery in the dishwasher, then dusts off his hands. “Later, brother. Good luck.” Laughing, he disappears into the hallway, and the front door slams shut.
I check my watch. Five minutes have passed since I gave Sorcha a two-minute warning.Fuck’s sake.I’ve got one foot on the stairs when she appears, bundled up in a coat, hat, and a scarf that hides half her face.
“We’re not going to the north pole.”
“I like to be prepared,” she says haughtily, picking her waydown the stairs. As she passes me, she barges into my shoulder. “Where are you taking me, anyway?”
“To a rugby game.” I never miss my local team playing, especially as I’m a major sponsor. I like to lend my support in person.
She pivots. “Rugby? Great. Giant men with cauliflower ears and broken noses pointlessly running about a pitch holding a ball as everyone else chases them. Every girl’s dream date.”
I suppress a smile at her clichéd opinion of me. Although it’s unsurprising given she doesn’t know a single thing about me other than what I’ve chosen to show her. “It isn’t a date.”
“Oh, I know. It’s another test, right?”
Huffing, I check my watch. “We’re late. Let’s go.”
As I press my palm to her lower back, she shoots forward as though I’d Tasered her. If she doesn’t behave herself and keep her pretty little mouth shut, I’ll do worse than that. One of my soldiers holds the car door open for us. Sorcha gets in, and he shuts it behind her. I round the car, climbing into the other side.
“A word of warning,” I say as Gerard points the car toward the electrified gates to my property. “If you try anything stupid, it will displease me.”
“Ooh, big words.” She fake shivers. “Am I supposed to curl up into a ball and cry? Quiver in my shiny new designer trainers? What reaction would best please you?”
Her disrespect should not bring me nearly as much enjoyment as it is. But I won’t have her displaying this level of impudence in public. Snapping out a hand, I grip her chin like a vise.
“If anything other than deference and politeness come out of your mouth, I will nail itshut.”
“You don’t scare me,” she whispers, her wide eyes telling the opposite story.
“Yes, I do. Now behave, or you will discover another head on a spike in my garden.” I release her chin and capture a lock of her hair, winding it around my forefinger. “That of your only living relative.”
She gasps, but my idle threat works because she pulls her gaze from mine and lowers her eyes. “I’ll behave.”
“Good girl.” I let the ringlet go, and she shuffles as far away from me as the confined space will allow, turning her back for good measure.
My phone vibrates. I reach into my inside pocket and withdraw it.
Cillian: On your way?
Me: Yep. Be there in fifteen.
Cillian: Is she with you?
