Page 51 of Stolen Rival
That evening, I hold a brief meeting with Dylan’s captains to introduce Fionn who will run the U.S. operations. As he speaks, I scan the room, watching for signs of defiance, but there are none. Maybe Dylan smoothed the way, and this won’t be a difficult transition of leadership after all. Taking Andrew out of the picture will only help to cement the change. Fionn will do a grand job, a highly capable, fucking scary man who knows our business inside and out.
Silence hangs in the air after everyone has left, exhaustion washing over me. I sink onto the couch and rest my head on the plump cushion. The last twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind, and I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath. The coming days won’t be any less tiring either. Integrating two businesses an ocean apart won’t be easy, but will be necessary.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were in here.”
I lift my head, crooking my finger at my wife. “Come in. Sit.”
She approaches warily, as though she’s unsure whether I’llkneel at her feet or snap her neck. When she chooses the chair adjacent to the couch, I shake my head and pat the spare seat beside me.
Without question, she rises and sits beside me. “You must be wrecked.”
I hold out my hand, palm up. There’s no hesitation before her hand touches mine. I wrap my fingers around hers, squeezing slightly.
“You did well.”
“It’s been a difficult day for everyone. Death is so final, and grief is soul crushing.”
Guilt, slick and hot, courses through me. I’ll never regret what I did to her father and brothers. Those fuckers had it coming after slaughtering the O’Sullivans and several other guests doing nothing more than attending a wedding. But Sorcha is different from her family. Softer, when she isn’t battling with me that is. It could be because she wasn’t drawn into the brutality of our life, allowing her to maintain… her humanity, I guess.
I didn’t even allow her to bury them. To mourn them. To have the closure standing around a graveside provides to those who’ve lost people they love.
“We’re flying home in the morning.”
“So soon?”
“Yes. There’s no point in staying on now.”
“You got what you wanted?”
I nod.
“Does that mean you’ll let me go?” Her voice lifts in what sounds like hope. I crush it underneath my boot.
“Sorry,mo mhuirnín.Dylan’s will ties us together for life. If we divorce, or you meet a… an unexpected death, the entire business reverts to Andrew.” I lift her hand to my mouth, my eyes on hers as I press my lips to her knuckles. “You’re stuck with me.”
She holds my gaze for as long as she’s able, then looks away. “I see.”
“I meant what I said yesterday. You played your part, and as a reward, I will extend certain privileges to you on our return.” I grip her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. “But make no mistake. Step out of line and those privileges will turn into punishments faster than you can blink.”
“I won’t step out of line,” she murmurs, her eyes dropping to my mouth, and lingering there.
The temptation to lift her onto my lap and have her grind on me is difficult to dismiss, but I do. She’s emotional, today’s funeral no doubt bringing back memories of her own crushing loss. I should fuck her, get it over with, but I like the idea of her pleading for it a little too much.
“It’s getting late, and we’ve an early start.” I release her hand and get to my feet, waiting until she joins me. We trudge up the stairs together, and as we reach her room, she hesitates.
Go on. Beg me.
“I-I.” She shakes her head, hand on the doorknob. “Goodnight, Patrick.”
Not quite ready yet, mo mhuirnín. That’s fine. I can wait.
“Goodnight.” I leave her standing outside her bedroom door and enter mine, firmly closing the door behind me.
Chapter 26
SORCHA
The urge toscream is so all-consuming that I almost give in and let rip. But if Patrick hears me raging at the top of my lungs, at least half a dozen burly guys with no concept of personal space will burst through my door ready to shoot a non-existent intruder.
