Page 13 of Demanding Mob Boss

The pub owner greets Cian effusively and insists on seating us himself. People tend to treat Cian with respect. I like it.

"You weren't kidding when you said being around your boss turns the volume down for you." Ini bumps my shoulder with hers. "I've never seen you so calm around so many people."

"Shh…" I say, embarrassed, hoping no one overheard her.

We are in the pub, sitting in a U-shaped booth. Ini sits on one side of me, and Cian is on the other. He's on the outside. Shea is sitting next to Ini with Connor beside her. Lachlan is across from Cian, seated next to the opening on the other side of the table.

Once again it doesn't bother me to have Cian blocking my easiest exit. I feel safe, like he'll make sure nothing bad can get to me. I don't know why I feel that way, I just do. I'm glad the Greek deli wasn't a fluke. Having Cian nearby allows me to focus on him instead of everything else playing like the fractals of a kaleidoscope in my brain.

It's too bad he's my boss and not my boyfriend, or even a friend really. I think I'd like to be his friend. Considering how few people I place in that category, I’m a little surprised at myself.

Chapter 5

CIAN

Ma insists I come for dinner. I can tell by her tone that she's worried about something. When I ask, she says she just wants to see me.

When I arrive at the house I grew up in, I find out that Shea is out with friends tonight. Usually, my mom would invite my driver and bodyguard to share dinner with us in the kitchen, but she's set the table in the dining room for just me and her.

"There's plenty of stew and potato bread, boys. Help yerselves," she tells Finn and Malone as she bustles around the warm kitchen. "Sully is trailing after Shea tonight."

"Where's Gulliver?" I ask.

"It's his night off."

And he left my mother alone? "Did he know Sully would be leaving with Shea?"

"No. You know your sister. She made plans at the last minute."

"Where's your temporary guard then?" When both Sully and Gulliver are gone, my mom is supposed to call Connor so he can send someone over to watch her.

"Och, don't be worrying yer head boyo. I knew you were coming over. And I don't need protecting every minute of every day. I'm no longer the boss's wife."

"But you are my mother. Next time you will call Connor."

"Don't you take that tone with me, boyo. You're still my son, even if you are a mob boss."

Finn tries to hide his grin behind his hand, but Malone frowns. "I'll clear the house," he says.

I nod, approving his vigilance. Who knows how long Ma has been here alone? I don't feel softer emotions, not even for my mom and sisters, but I need them to be safe. Always.

"I will assign additional soldiers to you and the girls." I send a text to Lachlan, since this will be a permanent assignment.

"They consider themselves women, son, and don't you forget it." She shakes her spoon at me. "Or you'll be hearing an earful. Especially from Shea."

After Malone has cleared the house and Ma has made sure he and Finn have plenty to eat, she shoos me into the dining room. I always find it odd the way my mother treats me. Like I'm just another man. She acts like she's got no idea that I torture and kill men when I need to. That my bodyguard is for appearance's sake, not because I need one.

The most hardened criminals in Chicago fear me, but not this tiny woman.

Anna is not afraid of me either. I don't find that odd though. I find it necessary.

"You made my favorite dinner," I observe. No one makes Irish stew like my mother.

"We don't see you often enough for dinner," she says, but she's got a nervous look about her.

"You know I don't do subtly," I can usually read emotions in others because I've studied them so carefully, but what causes those emotions often eludes me. "If you've got something to say, say it."

She puts her spoon down and sighs. "Lachlan told me you've got a young lady working for you."

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