Page 17 of Cowboy
5
COWBOY
ONE YEAR AGO
“You good?” Tank questions as he takes a seat beside me. “You’ve been quiet these past couple of days.”
I grit my teeth, not wanting to talk about it. “I’m grand,” I lie. “Are you working tonight?”
It’s been three and a half years since I last saw Caoimhe. She ran from me, managed to slip into the crowd. She blended in seamlessly, which meant she’d been doing it for a while. I fucked up by grabbing her the way I did. I was just so fucking relieved that I found her. But since then, there’s been no word, no sighting, despite Travis having his men and women, everyone who works for The Agency, keeping an eye out for her. She’s managed to keep to the shadows. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. It could mean that she’s dead. Fuck, I won’t think that. I can’t. She has to be alive.
The leads on the trafficking ring have gone. They died down around two years ago, and nothing has resurfaced since. Those who were involved in purchasing the women and children who were trafficked have died over the past four years. Everyone involved seems to have gone, meaning there’s nowhere else to look. Dylan’s death is still unsolved, and I hate that those fuckers have gotten away with it.
“Damn, Cowboy, are you sure you’re okay? You just spaced out,” Tank says, his gaze focused on me.
Almost a year ago, I met him when we both were recruited to prospect for the Fury Vipers MC here in Dublin. It wasn’t something I had ever considered, but when I met Pyro, the president, along with Wrath, Raptor, and Preacher, I was intrigued. I found a family here, and I like being part of the Fury Vipers. The club has four other chapters, all of which are in the US. This chapter is the only one in Europe, and that was due to Pryo and his old lady being together. Chloe Gallagher is the daughter of Denis Gallagher—the Mafia boss—and there was no way she was going to be anywhere but here in Dublin, so the Fury Vipers took a vote and they voted in favor of opening a new chapter here in Dublin. Now, there are three new members who have joined them: me, Tank, and Connor.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about some old shit."
Tank nods, not pushing further. He knows I don't like to talk about my past much. "Well, if you need to talk, you know I'm here, brother."
"Thanks," I say, appreciating his support. "Will you also be working tonight at the club?" I ask again, as I had spaced out.
The Fury Vipers MC owns a strip club, along with a custom build shop. I work in both. Tonight, I’m in the club as a bouncer to ensure the women on stage, as well as on the floor, don’t get any hassle.
"Same here." Tank grins. "Should be a good night. I heard Jer’s going to be around."
I raise an eyebrow. "Jerry Houlihan? Damn, that man has his pies in everyone’s business. Didn’t realize he was in with the Vipers. How long have they been working with one another?"
Tank shrugs. "Not sure. Pyro just mentioned he’d be in this evening. I think Jer’s close as he’s Chloe’s uncle. You know how it is with family."
I nod, understanding all too well. I still have Ma, but I lost Dylan and then Caoimhe disappeared. The Vipers became my family, and being a part of the brotherhood gave me a sense of belonging I desperately needed.
As we head into the club to start our shift, I can't shake the thoughts of Caoimhe. I've not stopped thinking about her. I’m always wondering where she is and if she’s doing okay.
As Tank and I enter the club, the familiar pulsing beat of music and flashing lights greet us. We nod to a few of our brothers as we make our way to our positions. I take my usual spot near the main stage, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd.
The night progresses as usual, a mixture of rowdy patrons, drunk businessmen, and the occasional troublemaker that needs to be escorted out. But my mind keeps drifting back to Caoimhe. Where is she now? Is she safe? The questions that have haunted me for years resurface, and I have to force myself to focus on the job at hand.
Around midnight, I spot Jerry Houlihan entering the club, flanked by two of his men, Stephen Maguire and Maverick O’Hara, Chloe’s uncle. He nods in my direction as he passes, heading toward the VIP section, where I know Pyro is waiting. There's something about Jerry that sets me on edge. Maybe it's the way his eyes seem to take in everything, calculating and cold.
A commotion near the bar pulls my attention away. A drunk patron is getting handsy with one of the waitresses. I move quickly, grabbing the man's arm and pulling him away.
"Time to go," I say firmly, steering him toward the exit.
He struggles briefly, but one look at my face and he thinks better of it. As I'm escorting him out, I catch a glimpse of something that makes my heart stop.
A flash of familiar auburn hair and a pair of green eyes I'd recognize anywhere.
Caoimhe.
She's here, in the club. Our eyes lock for a split second before she disappears into the crowd. I'm frozen in place, my mind reeling. After all this time, she's here?
I barely register the drunk patron stumbling away as I scan the crowd desperately, trying to spot her again. But she's gone, vanished like a ghost.
"Cowboy!" Tank's voice snaps me back to reality. "Everything alright?"
I blink, trying to compose myself. "Yeah, just... thought I saw someone I knew."
