Page 21 of Kissin Irish by Morgan
“Pagan has a lot on his plate, Cece. He has to keep things running around here. Keep Kingpin’s head on straight.”
“That’s bullshit. And it’s no excuse for you to be there when you’ve been hired to take care of me.”
“Your brother needs me, too. He can’t leave Kara, and he can’t go home.”
“You’re such a fool. He can leave Kara at any time. He just won’t because it’ll hurt Dasha.”
“No, Kara has connections you don’t know about. Your brother’s in deep.”
I had no idea what she was on about now. My brother lied his ass off to have his cake and eat it too. “Well, while you were gone, a woman came barging in here. Scared me to death.”
“Oh, Cece. I’m sorry. Don’t tell Pagan, please.”
“What? Are you afraid he’s going to beat your ass?”
“No, he doesn’t hurt me like that. Not without me asking for it.”
Ugh. My brother and her were so sick.
“The door was unlocked, and I could’ve been killed,” I said, making it seem worse. “I won’t tell him. If you can do something for me. Tell him to throw the match with Irish this Friday.”
“Oh, no. I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Irish and him made a bet last night.”
“What? When?”
“After Church they got in a big fight. That’s one reason I stayed with him last night. He’s pretty banged up.”
Bullshit. I wasn’t worried about my brother. “Well, is Irish okay?”
“It was about even. They both are worse for wear.”
“The bet?”
“Pagan said that Irish said if he beats him on Friday, Pagan has to let him take you out on a date, away from Royal Road. And that he won’t complain if things go farther. Pagan agreed to it, saying Irish won’t make it out of the fight with his life. Kingpin’s fit to be tied. Pagan can’t throw the fight now. Truthfully, before those terms, Pagan had no choice but to let Irish win. I don’t see how he can now.”
Chapter 10
Irish
After Pagan and I went round and round Saturday night, I slept clear through Sunday. Cece said she took the morning off on Sunday anyhow. Sunday night, I spotted her behind the bar with Paisley. I wasn’t about to, as my brothers say, open up that can of worms, by going to talk to her in front of Paisley. I was sure she already heard about my bet with her brother. I was sure both her and Paisley had heard about it. Part of me worried about what Paisley would do to her.
My brother Hallow joined me and Payday around one of the many pool tables. We’d had a game going, but Payday was running the table as I nursed a beer.
“Haven’t seen you in donkey’s years, man,” I said to Hallow.
“Boy’s flying with the eagles now. How come when you get a woman, you’re allowed to skirt your responsibilities around here?” Payday crooned.
“I’ve been recovering from a couple gunshot wounds, dipshit.” Hallow’s eyes were on the pretty little filly he was engaged to. She swayed on stage singing a country tune. Not my cup of tea. A real problem for me here in Nashville.
Payday complained about the lack of strippers tonight.
I hadn’t noticed.
“I blame Hallow’s girl. She’s won over our President with that voice of hers.” Payday sank the eight ball, ending our game.
