Page 45 of Cowboy
"You'll feel better knowing there's an entire floor between us and I'll feel better knowing I'm here if anything were to happen."
I stay seated as Caoimhe and Saoirse make their way upstairs. It takes everything in me not to move, especially when Caoimhe sways on her feet, but right now the girls need time to adjust to me being around. I'm more than willing to give it to them, because I'm not going anywhere. When all is said and done, I know that Caoimhe's going to be my old lady.
But first, I need to know who the fuck took her and what the hell happened to her while she was gone.
I need her safe. I have a feeling that her brother's behind this, and if that's true, there's no hole in which Dylan can hide from me, because when I find him, I won’t hesitate to kill him.
15
COWBOY
“You good?” Jer asks as he joins me on the porch. Caoimhe and Saoirse are fast asleep. Both of them were exhausted. I hate to think about what they’ve been through, but now that Jer’s here, I need to know every detail.
“Tell me,” I urge him, my voice tight.
Jer sighs heavily, his expression grim. "It's bad, Cowboy. Really bad. From what we've gathered, Caoimhe and Saoirse were part of a high-end trafficking ring. They weren't just snatched off the street—they were specifically targeted and sold to wealthy buyers."
I clench my fists, rage boiling inside me. "Who?" I growl. "Who did this to them?"
"We don't have all the names yet," Jer says, shaking his head. "But we're working on it. What we do know is that Caoimhe was initially taken to a private island owned by a man named Blackwood. He's dead now, heart attack a few months back. After that, they moved around a lot before ending up here in Dublin."
I try to process this information, my mind reeling. "And Saoirse? How did she end up with Caoimhe?"
Jer's face darkens. "Saoirse was sold by her own mother. Can you believe that? Sold to these monsters. Caoimhe's been protecting her ever since. A woman named Maria has spoken to me. She was at the Blackwood home, taken much like Caoimhe was. She gave me an insight as to what had gone on. She escaped when they were taken. One of my guys heard someone asking questions about Caoimhe and Saoirse, and it was Maria."
I feel sick to my stomach. How could anyone do that to a child? "Jesus Christ," I mutter.
"There's more," Jer continues, his voice low. "Gráinne, was the doctor who examined them... she's worried about Caoimhe's health. Long-term malnutrition, signs of physical abuse. She wants Caoimhe to go to the hospital for a full workup."
I nod, understanding the necessity but knowing how difficult it will be to convince Caoimhe. "I'll talk to her about it," I say. "But, Jer, I need to know, how deep does this go? Are they still in danger?"
Jer meets my eyes, his gaze steady. "We're doing everything we can to dismantle this ring, but yeah, there's still a risk. These people have connections, money. They won't give up easily."
I straighten up, determination setting in. "Then we'll just have to make sure they can't get to them. I'm not letting anyone hurt Caoimhe or Saoirse ever again."
Jer nods, clapping me on the shoulder. "I know you won't, son. And you've got all of us behind you. Whatever you need."
As Jer leaves, I stand on the porch for a long moment, staring out into the night. My mind is racing with everything I've learned, with all the horrors Caoimhe and Saoirse have endured. But one thing is clear, I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe, to help them heal.
I turn and head back inside, locking the door securely behind me. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, but for now, I take comfort in knowing that Caoimhe and Saoirse are here, safe under my roof. It's a start.
I hear the rumble of engines in the distance. My brothers are on their way.
As the engines grow louder, I step out onto the porch to greet my brothers. Pyro pulls up first, followed closely by Tank and Bozo. They cut their engines and dismount, their faces grim.
"How are they?" Pyro asks as he approaches.
I run a hand through my hair, exhaustion hitting me suddenly. "Sleeping. They're... they're pretty messed up, Py. It's bad."
Bozo nods, his expression dark. "Grá filled me in on some of it. Jesus Christ, what those bastards did to them..."
"We'll make them pay," Tank growls, his fists clenching at his sides.
I nod, grateful for their support. "Yeah, we will. But right now, Caoimhe and Saoirse need to feel safe. They need time to heal."
"Whatever you need, brother," Pyro says, clapping me on the shoulder. "We're here for you. All of us."
Just then, I hear a small sound from inside the house. Turning, I see Caoimhe standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear as she takes in the sight of my brothers.
