Chapter 24

Laine

It's late by the time Tag and I make it down to breakfast, but I don't have it in me to be embarrassed. Tag certainly isn't. I'm spent and he knows it, the cocky jerk. My arms and legs are rubbery and shaky, my throat needed a silk scarf to hide the marks of our sex-play, and my girl parts are tender in all the right ways.

I always knew my sex life with Marco was run-of-the-mill, but I never imagined what it could be.

Never have I been devoured before.

In fact, having spent the past hour and a half being thoroughly railed by Tag Quinn, I can honestly say I've never been properly fucked—until today.

"Good, you're here." Finn closes his book at the far end of the table as we enter the dining room.

"Where are Bryan and Brendan?"

Finn shrugs. "Something about live promotion for the fight this weekend. They said they'll be a few hours."

"Aye, that's fine. With everything that's gone on over the past week, it's good that they represent."

"Aye, they will," Finn says. "You know Bryan is still sore about coming second last year."

Tag hands me a plate and pushes back the metal lids of the warming bins, chuckling. "I know."

I select a few slices of ham and some seasoned potatoes. "What is the fight about? You said it's a charity event?"

Tag nods. "Aye. Years ago, Da started a charity fight to raise awareness for the problem of street kids getting drawn into violence in the city. It's a black-tie event and raises enough to sponsor after-school training and self-defense for boys and girls who need it."

"Oh, I love that idea."

"It's a favorite of Brendan and Bryan's, too. Da made sure we were each involved in giving back in one way or another. This is their thing."

"It's the tenth anniversary this year," Finn adds.

"And it's on Saturday night?" I ask.

Tag waits until I've made my selections and then recovers the food that's left. "Aye. As long as the McGuires don't do anything to ruin it."

What a shame that would be. "But you're bumping up security, right? You're going to try to make sure it goes off as planned?"

Tag grins and gives me a wink. "Aye, Sean and the entire MC will be on hand. We'll not leave anything to chance."

Good. That's good. "And are you going?"

"Aye, I will be."

I continue gathering food onto my plate, wondering if him not mentioning it or asking me if I want to go is a sign that he doesn't want me to be his date.

Maybe the fight is a family thing he does with his brothers.

Maybe he doesn't want to put me in the public eye as his plus one.

Whatever the reason, it's too new for me to expect an invitation. He's known me less than a week, so it makes perfect sense that he might not alter his plans around his new girl.

"Speaking of the McGuires," Finn says, "Are you still planning on attending the funerals for the three boys the McGuire drugs killed?"

"Aye. I've blocked off the day for it."

I take in the black on black he's wearing with new understanding. "People the McGuires killed at the pub?"

"No, luv." Tag picks up a country biscuit and, when I nod, sets one on my plate as well. "Before the attack on the pub, we'd dealt with one of McGuire's drug dealers who came onto our side of the river. The poison he was peddling killed three local lads before we caught up to him."

I swallow. "And what happened when you caught up to him?"

Tag meets my gaze with nothing but the bold truth. "We injected him with his own poison, and he died the same violent death as the innocents under my protection."

He says no more, and I know this is a test. He's showing me the realities of his life and waiting for my reaction. After years of being left out of conversations, I appreciate that he's honest with me. "That seems poetically just."

He dips his chin. "I thought so. The lad knew the laws, and he chose to ignore them."

I take my plate to the table and sit. "I'd like to learn about your laws. How does one go about finding them?"

Tag sets his plate down at the head of the table and then strides out of the room. He returns a moment later with a framed picture he's taken off the wall. "Da hung this up in the living room years ago."

Finn laughs. "I forgot all about that."

Tag hands it to me and then takes his seat to dig into his breakfast. I hold the frame in front of myself and read the fine script.

The Quinn Laws

No Killing in Dublin Streets:

As Quinns, we must strive to keep the public spaces safe and to avoid turning the city into a battleground. Always work to maintain a peaceful fa?ade and ensure civilians are not caught in crossfires or used as pawns in mafia wars.

No Drugs, Guns, or Violence Will Impact the Innocents:

Ensure that illegal activities do not harm innocent people. This underscores strict control over where and how arms and drugs are traded and ensures that violent acts are kept away from civilian areas.

Protection of Local Businesses:

The Quinn family pledges to protect local businesses from extortion and vandalism, unlike other mafia families that use such tactics for income. This law garners support and loyalty from the community and fosters a stable economic environment.

No Recruitment of Minors:

There will be no involving minors in any criminal activities. As Quinns, we stand against the exploitation of young people, aiming to preserve their potential for a better future outside of organized crime.

Support Community Initiatives:

A portion of the family's profits must be funneled into local projects and charities. This law ensures that the family contributes positively to the community, helping improve public facilities, funding local sports teams, or supporting arts and education.

Fair Treatment of All Under Quinn Control:

Anyone who works for or with the Quinn family, regardless of their role or level, gender or circumstance, will be treated fairly and with respect. This includes fair pay, reasonable working conditions, and protection from abuse.

I finish reading and brush my fingers over the glass. "Your father came up with these?"

Tag finishes chewing and swallows. "We helped a little. My brothers and I were young when he was shaping our world, but we had input."

Finn snorts. "I think Bryan is still mad that his ‘Quinns always get the hottest girls and the coolest cars' didn't make the final list."

Tag laughs. "Aye, Sean had a couple ideas that got tossed as well."

I set the frame on the table and return my attention to my breakfast. "Still. I think it's amazing that he built up your family using a code of ethics that keeps the city's citizens in mind. I've never heard of anything like it in Chicago."

Tag uses his fingers to pull his biscuit apart. "I'm glad you approve. Now, eat up. While I go to the funerals and pay our respect, Finn has agreed to help you get set up with a new computer and phone. We've kept him waiting long enough for one morning, don't you think?"

What? Was Finn down here waiting for us the whole time Tag and I were getting naked upstairs?

My cheeks burn hot, and I adjust the silk scarf at my neck to hide the rising tide of embarrassment on my skin. "Uh…yes, of course. Sorry we kept you waiting."

Finn meets my gaze and bursts out laughing. "Oh, Laine, you're way too cute. Too cute for Tag, anyway."

Tag chuckles. "Don't get any ideas, brother. I've laid my claim. Miss O'Neill is mine."