Page 74 of Fragile Union

“How is he going to do that, you’ve killed everyone that was involved,” I say, hoping it’s true and they have.

“Yeah, that’s why he’s pissed,” she says with a heavy sigh.

I understand why he feels that way. He’s lost so much and he has no one to blame for it.

“Let’s have breakfast,” Rome says, “then we’ll go see Finn.” He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to him.

I rest my head against him and breathe easy. I’m happy, safe, and loved. There’s nothing more I want in this world.

HOLLY

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“Did you have a good birthday, baby girl?” Da asks as we exit the car.

I nod, “I did, I’m glad everyone was here.” It had been a long time since all of my brothers and sisters were together. But finally, we’re all under one roof for the past two days.

The past four months have been pretty uneventful. The Russians and the Ortega gang haven’t retaliated, but that doesn’t mean security around us has loosened. In fact, Romero’s insisted on more for us. He’s waiting for the other foot to drop and for a war to start.

Finn is out of hospital and slowly on the road to recovery. He’s changed a lot since the day we lost Seamus. He’s no longer the man I knew. Who was always there with a quick smile and a stupid joke. Instead, he's withdrawn and distant. Hell, he doesn’t want to be around anyone. I can’t blame him, but I miss my uncle.

Jade has refused to see anyone since she went to prison. She won’t even see Hayden, which has put everyone on edge as no one knows if she’s okay or not. Finn has said he’ll try to see her, that he’d take the time to fly out and go to the prison, if she agrees to see him just to give everyone a piece of mind.

Romero’s arm slides around my waist. “So, what’s this event for?” he questions as he helps me up the stairs.

I’m finally healed after what happened, my leg is back to normal, although I do get some twinges now and then, but nothing too bad. My shoulder has recovered well, and I have full range of movement in it. Yet, Romero treats me as though I’m still injured. When I said it to him, he told me he can’t get the image of me in the hospital bed out of his mind and it’s going to take a while before he can forget I was hurt. So, I let him do whatever he needs to. As long as it eases him, I’m not going to kick up a fuss.

“It’s a birthday party for a friend of Mal’s...” The way Da sneers friend has Mal shooting him a look.

“Okay, what the hell am I missing?” I ask, glancing at Danny and Lissa and seeing them have the same confused look as I’m no doubt sporting.

“I found out who my biological father is and Da’s not happy,” Mal tells us. “I understand he’s pissed, but I’m not choosing Jerry over him. I’d never do that, as far as I’m concerned, Denis is my father.”

I smile, my brother is the fucking best.

“Wait…” Danny says, “Jerry, as in Jerry Houlihan?”

Mal nods, smirking. “Yep, Ma’s a fucking bitch.”

I glance at my husband who’s as confused as I am.

“Jerry Houlihan is the head of the Houlihan gang, baby girl,” Da explains. “The shootings and shit around Dublin, that’s done by his gang.”

Oh fuck. I heard about him, he’s flashy and unstable. “Ma has a type, I see,” I comment.

Romero’s body shakes next to mine, his laughter silent, whereas Melissa giggles loudly.

“Okay, so both your da’s are psychos.” I shrug. “They should get along like a house on fire, don’t you think?” I send Mal a wicked grin, one he returns.

“Yeah, I agree,” Danny says. “Da, you’re pissed, I get it, but push aside your anger at Jer, he didn’t know.”

Da sighs. “Fine, I don’t have to like it, but whatever.”

We’re greeted by a beautiful woman who’s about Da’s age, and she gives Malcolm a fond smile as she shows us to our seats. “You’ll finally get to meet your cousin’s this evening,” she tells him, “Maverick, is happy there’s another man in the family. My son is anything but tactile.” The smile she has on her face is very telling, she has a lot of affection for Malcolm, which I love. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude. I’m Nicola, I’m Jerry’s sister,” she walks over to Da and shakes his hand. “I can’t begin to understand how difficult this must be for you. But I’m grateful you’re here. You’re all family now.”

She walks away, her smile wide and pure.

“I like her,” I say as I glance around the room, it’s huge, like a ballroom. “Whose house is this?”

---