CHAPTER 10

Adam

The fucker had finally raised his head. We’d wondered if he would; we’d certainly left enough clues once we’d had plans in place to ensure that Tilly, Maya, and the children were safe. It made me wonder which one he’d fallen for.

However, in all our planning, neither Johnny nor I had planned on how utterly terrified the women would be or how we’d feel seeing them that way. I’d been ready to head out and get rid of him straight away. It was only Colin’s calmness that held me back.

He was right. We had a plan and we needed to stick with it. I’d relaxed slightly when Tilly had walked in the door and straight into my arms but not by much. Then having to send her and Maya out without Johnny and me had been just about more than either of us could bear. We’d counted down the hours until we could leave so that Troy didn’t realise that we knew he was here.

“Do you think he came alone?” Johnny asked me, running his hand through his hair, making it stand up even more with the number of times he’d done that.

“I don’t know. The boys say there was no-one in the car he was driving other than him. They’ll be tailing him, though; let me call Colin quickly.”

It didn’t take long for him to answer, “Boss?”

“We need to make sure he’s alone. Can the boys that are tailing him check it out?”

“Sure thing, boss. Leave it with us.”

“Thanks, man.”

“No thanks necessary, boss. Tilly’s good people, plus she’s family and we look after ours.”

Fuck, who’d have thought that was how my crew felt about her. We were a close group, having come up through the ranks together, doing shit that would have got us many years behind bars if we’d been caught. That we hadn’t was a fucking miracle, and then that they’d stuck with me when we went legit meant a lot, but I hadn’t realised until this moment the loyalty they felt for our family.

“I appreciate the help that you and the boys have given us to keep our families safe. I know I don’t often say it, but I’m fucking happy my crew stayed with me. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else with my girls.”

“Ah, fuck, boss, don’t get soft on me now. I need you to kick arse and take names,” he hesitated before continuing, “you were a fair boss before we went legit, and what happened to Rhett should never have happened. You also have never expected us to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself, and you weren’t afraid to get your hands dirty when needed. That went a long way to earning our loyalty.

“Plus, when we went legit, you somehow managed to make sure our pay didn’t get impacted, even if we all know you went without for months until we were back to making a profit. The difference in you since Tilly and her girls have come into your life makes us happy, and she’s a fantastic woman. We’re kind of hoping that your luck might wear off on us,” he chuckled. “We’ve got this, boss, you just make sure everything is ready for tonight.”

“I will,” I assured him, ending the call before we could get any more mushy.

“All good?” Johnny queried. “You look like you’ve been hit by a two-by-four.”

“It’s just hit me how loyal my crew is.”

“Of course they are,” Johnny replied, looking confused that I didn’t seem to know this. “You were a great boss to your crew before we went legit, and you did everything you could to make sure they didn’t lose out with us going straight. You’re a good man, Adam, and a good brother. I’m sorry if we haven’t made that clear to you.”

“Ah, fuck, man. We need to blow shit up or something. I’m not liking all these feelings I’ve got going on,” I grumbled.

Johnny laughed, “Now there’s the brother we know and love. How many more hours until we can leave?”

“At least three more. Come on, let’s go and have a look at the map one more time and make sure we’ve memorised where all the snares, booby traps, and landmines are. We don’t need one of us stepping into one. Tommy texted to say he’s got Tilly, Maya, and Da for now. Lana’s catching a lift with Liam and the kids. They’ll be home soon.”

The three hours took forever, but eventually, Johnny and I were on our way home. We’d have to wait for dark anyway before we could do anything. Colin had let us know that it was Troy and one other older guy with him that we assumed was Troy’s sperm donor. They’d keep watch and let us know when they left the hotel they were staying in.

We tried to keep things normal for the kids over supper, and Emy and Jackson were oblivious, but Ally and Jeanie weren’t. I knew we would have to let them know at least some of what was going to happen tonight, especially as Liam had to take them out of school early.

Once supper was done, Maya and Johnny took Emy and Jackson out of the kitchen to bathe and get ready for bed. Not wanting Ally and Jeanie to wait any longer, I got up from my chair and moved around the table so that I could look at both of them, which I couldn’t do with them sat next to me. I needed to see their faces and gauge their reactions on the news we were about to share.

“Your mum and I need to talk to you girls about something,” I told them.

“He’s here, isn’t he?” Ally guessed straight away. Well, I guess there was no pussyfooting around with these two then. They wanted it straight, then I’d give it to them straight.

“He is,” I answered, reaching my hands across the table so I could take each of their hands in mine, “but I don’t want you girls to worry. We have a plan, and we’re going to keep you safe. But to do that, you girls need to do exactly as we ask, okay?”

They both nodded.

They’d turned pale as soon as I’d confirmed that their father was here. Their blue eyes were huge and terrified. Shaking their hands a little to get their attention, I said, “You girls don’t have to worry, okay? He’s not going to get to any of you.”

“What do you need us to do?” Jeanie asked. There’s my brave girl, always ready to do what she must.

“Before we get into that, I want you girls to know how much I love you and your mum. Once this is all over, we’re going to talk about getting everything done legally so you girls will always be O’Sheas, and your mum and I are going to get married.”

“We are, are we?” Tilly interrupts, an eyebrow raised at me.

“We are,” I informed her firmly. “You’re my stór mo chroí , and you always will be.” Digging in my pocket, I take out a box, opening it, I hold it out to Tilly. “This wasn’t how I was going to propose,” I apologised, “I was going to take you away for a romantic weekend; instead, I’m proposing with all our family watching,” I say, waving my hand around the kitchen where my Da sat at the head of the table, watching and listening with a little smile playing across his face. Liam, leaning against the kitchen cabinets, was grinning at us. Tommy, with Lana wrapped in his arms, was standing in the doorway to the kitchen and both looked happy for us. The only ones missing were Johnny, Maya, and their children.

“I think it’s perfect,” Tilly breathes, wiping at tears. “All our family is here. I don’t need a weekend away; this right here is perfect to me.”

“That’s good,” I reply with a small chuckle. “I’m not good at romance.” Taking the ring from the box, I slip it onto her finger, pressing a kiss to her hand, “Tilly Rhodes, will you marry me?”

“I will,” she sobs, standing and leaning over the table to take my face in her hands and kiss me.

“Yes,” both Jeanie and Ally cry out, rushing around the table to get to me. Throwing their arms around me as I wrap mine around them to hug them tight.

Where this night could have been all about worry and anger, instead it turned into a celebration. Which, to me, was a great ‘Fuck you’ to Troy and his dad. My girls were strong. All three of them, and with me, my family, and my crew at their backs, I’d see they never had to worry about him again.

Tonight, we’d be serving justice O’Shea style!