Chapter 29

Tag

I'm sitting behind my father's desk, the sturdy wood surface familiar and solid beneath my fingers. The late afternoon light slants through the blinds, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor.

I wonder how often Da sat in here, wishing he was somewhere else.

I've found myself wondering that more and more often over the past three days.

I know exactly where I'd be, given the choice: naked with Laine, making her cry out my name as I coax out the wickedness that she hides so well.

Laine is a true wildcat.

The leather of my desk chair creaks as I lean back and reminisce about our morning triste. She was so trusting and willing, her body so responsive to my demands.

It's like she was made for me.

And since Laine confided her truths, the two of us have grown closer day by day and night by night.

With the blessings of my brothers, I moved into my father's suite and the heartache of that transition was tempered with the passions of having my wildcat joining me.

It's time for the next generation to grab the reins and I'll do my best to make Da proud.

"What's that look?" Sean pegs me with a scowl from across the room.

I blink out of my daydream and meet my brother's scowl. "What look?"

He closes the door behind him and takes a seat opposite me. "It was either you lost in a lovestruck moment, or your bowels are turning on you. Hard to tell which."

I flash him my middle finger. "Says the man known across the Emerald Isle for his sunshiny disposition."

He shrugs and leans back in his seat. "You and Finn can be the charmers. There's something to be said for the broody, bad boys ready to throw elbows."

"Aye, well, you, Brendan, and Bryan have that category nailed down, then."

"Are they ready for Saturday night? They aren't going to embarrass us or anything, are they?" He laughs as he asks the question, but we both know that helping street kids while pommeling the shit out of someone is pretty much Bryan's and Brendan's dream opportunity.

"I'm sure they'll do us proud."

"So, you're planning on going?"

"Of course. I've never missed the event yet, and with the McGuires causing trouble, it'll be more important than ever to make our appearances."

"Will you be there stag or have a brunette American on your arm?"

I sit back and consider that. "I'm not sure. I'd love for Laine to be there on my arm but I'm not sure she'd enjoy the brutality of it, or that it's a good idea to show her off so publicly, given the current climate of things."

He pegs me with a look and frowns. "You'd only care about that if things are getting serious between you two."

"You know I don't do serious."

He tents his fingers. "Right. So, let me ask you this. If her husband showed up tomorrow to reclaim her, what would you do?"

Burning fury rushes through my bloodstream and ignites something dark inside me. I grab the letter opener from the top of my blotter and then catch Sean's grin widening. "You're right. Nothing serious going on here."

"You're an arse."

"You're a pussy."

Whatever.

"Still, you need to consider the Mister coming here at some point."

"If he's alive."

Sean arches a brow. "Hasn't Finn figured that out yet? I'm surprised. Our baby brother is usually much more efficient in these matters."

I set the letter opener back into its place. "Aye, well, we're trying to skirt any potential notice. There was a news article about the home invasion and the death of the father, Milton, but no mention of the husband or Laine."

"And Finn is working on unweaving the threads of that complicated tapestry without tugging anything that might set off alarms."

"Exactly. She's safe here and unknown by others for the time being. No sense setting off ripples across the pond."

Sean shrugs. "Seems to me you could've picked an easier woman to fall for."

I laugh. "As if I had anything to do with it. I blame Saint Brigid herself."

"You think an Irish goddess is messing with you?"

Is it really so ridiculous? "You know how Mam used to say Brigid loves to play matchmaker and have her fun."

Sean laughs. "Well then, I'll keep my opinions about that to myself, lest the fairy queen set her sights on me next."

"Wise man." And though I'm joking, there is a part of me that believes Laine and I were drawn together by some higher power.

And I intend to honor that.

"Now, tell me the good news."

Sean dips his chin, and we shift gears to the business at hand. "Your efforts in reaching out to the families has taken hold and the manpower support for the McGuires is thinning out."

"The other clans are pulling back their muscle?"

"Aye, it seems they'll wait to see how things pan out before they decide where their loyalties lie."

A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth. "Cowardly, but I get it. Fine, let them see what happens next. What about our plans?"

A flicker of satisfaction lights Sean's eyes. "We intercepted the shipment of girls last week and then took down a second run for Galway last night."

"And you played it the same way?"

"We did. The girls were surrendered to the people who can help them, the McGuire men were killed and disposed of, and Mattie has been left swinging in the wind."

"What about his holding warehouse or safehouses? Are we any closer to discovering where they gather the girls?"

"The girls last night told us about the house they were in. Based on the time they were shoved in the truck and the fact that they were traveling across countryside and not city or highways, we're narrowing it down."

"Good. I want to shut down their entire trafficking operation."

"We'll keep up the pressure, and make sure the McGuires feel the heat without any relief from their usual allies."

"Good. And what of the morale of the Devils? Is everything good there?"

Sean nods. "The men love fucking up the McGuires. They're solid."

"Excellent. Then considering we're ahead of the game, let's assume Mattie is pissed and will be trying something soon. Double up surveillance on the bridges and along the riverfront. I don't want any McGuire retaliation falling on our people. Especially with the fight on Saturday night."

"Got it." Sean stands and buttons up his leather MC vest. "And despite my teasing, you've really grabbed hold of things lately, T. If it's being back here, it looks good on you. If it's the woman, then keep doing what you're doing."

I stand and reach across the desk to bump knuckles with my brother. "Safe home, Sean. Watch your back."

"Always."