CHAPTER 4

JOHNNY

Three weeks, it's been three fucking weeks since I saw Maya and the children. If Andy wasn't family, I'd have beaten the crap out of him for the stunt he pulled. Instead, I'd had to smooth over all the shit he'd caused. The only silver lining was that he wouldn't be going anywhere for a while, not with two broken legs and no wheels.

I'd made it clear the family wouldn't be cleaning up after him anymore. From now on, he was on his own. I'd ensured that my Uncle Sean and the rest of the family knew it, too. No more allowing him to behave like a spoilt child. He was twenty-three years old, for fuck's sake, and should have grown up long before now. I knew teenagers that were more mature than him.

It was our fault—we'd spoilt him from the day he was born. Well, no more. Da, Adam, and Liam were in agreement. Da had given him a lambasting that lasted so long that I'm sure Andy would be replaying it over and over in his head over the next few weeks.

It had been my intention to spend time with Maya and get to know her slowly to build up her trust. Knowing her background, I knew I'd have my work cut out for me. She'd not trust easily, especially when it came to her two little ones.

Because of the fuck up with Andy, I'd had to make other plans. I'd dragged Adam into it because how else was I going to ensure Maya didn't forget about me while I was gone. And I wanted to spoil her a little. Something told me she'd never been spoilt in her entire life.

Before I left for Ireland for what felt like a never-ending three weeks, I'd arranged everything that I could to make sure Maya knew I was thinking of her, even if I wasn't in the country.

First, I'd gone to Maggie, explaining what I wanted and why. Her smile had softened when I'd explained, but she'd still given me her five pence before agreeing to have a daily breakfast sandwich and a flask of coffee ready for Adam to pick up and leave at The Lounge for me, along with the notes I'd written .

Maggie had studied me with narrowed eyes, making me feel like I was ten years old again and she could see straight through me, "What are you up to, Johnny O'Shea? You'd best not be messing with our girl."

"I'm not, Maggie, I swear. There's something there. From the moment I saw her. I know you lot are always saying that when a Crow knows, they know. Well, I think this O'Shea knows. But I also know that I have to go slow, and now Andy has fucked up yet again, and I have to go to Ireland tonight to see if I can sort his problems out. I can't do this by myself. I'm asking for help so that she knows I'm thinking of her, even if I'm not physically here."

Maggie considered me with a shrewd gaze. Whatever she saw in my face had her smiling and agreeing to my scheme, "Okay, I'll help you. Have Adam pick the orders up at six-thirty every morning. Just remember if you mess this up, it won't just be Reaper and the boys you have to worry about. The Old Ladies have come to love Maya and her little ones."

"I'm going to do my best not to mess up, Maggie, but I'm a guy. I'm bound to do something to piss her off. But I promise I'll be careful with her and the children. "

With Maggie on board, I now had to persuade Adam to get up earlier so he could get to the café and back to The Lounge before Maya got there at eight to clean.

Taking my phone from my pocket as I left the café, I dialled his number.

"Johnny, what's up?"

"Where are you?" I ask him.

"Liam and I are at my office, why?"

"I'm heading your way. Don't leave, I have a favour to ask before I fly out to Ireland tonight."

"Sure, no problem, we'll be here. I'll order us some lunch."

"Thanks," I mutter, ending the call and getting into my vehicle to make the drive to O'Shea Security.

O'Shea Security was in the industrial area of our small town in a black warehouse with green trim. It was cold and austere, but I guess that Adam didn't need it looking pretty. Adam's vehicle with the O'Shea Security logo was parked outside, along with Liam's four-by-four. Maybe Liam and I should look into adding logos to our vehicles. ‘It was free advertising,' I mused as I got out of my car, locked it, and walked to the office door. Inputting my code into the keypad, I waited for the buzz that lets me know the door had opened before pushing my way into the office.

Shaking my head at how Adam hadn't bothered to make it look welcoming at all, the first thing you saw when you entered was the empty reception desk and grey filing cabinets. Not that Adam had a receptionist, even if he could do with one. He was putting it off because if he got one, that meant he'd actually have to talk to someone. And that was one thing he hated, how he managed to keep his clients, I'd never know as he rarely spoke to them. He was my complete opposite, surly and quiet, only speaking when he needed to.

I could smell the fish and chips before I got to Adam's office. I should have known that's what they'd order. It was Liam's favourite.

"Hey, motherfuckers," I call out as I enter the office. A grin spread over my face as they rolled their eyes at me.

"Why do you always feel the need to announce yourself?" Adam grumbled, scowling at me.

"Because I can," I smirked at the grumpy gus before throwing myself down into the spare chair that I pulled up to Adam's desk. Opening up the package he pushed towards me and inhaling the smell of battered cod and chips. None of us spoke while I doctored mine with salt and tucked in. All manners our mother had tried to instil in us while she'd been alive long forgotten as we ate like this was our last meal.

When I was done, I sat back and sipped at the drink that had come with the meal while I waited for them to finish.

"Jesus, Johnny, do you even chew?" Adam muttered. "How have you finished already?"

"I've not eaten since last night, that's how. I was fucking starving. Knowing you, you've already had breakfast while I haven't even been to bed yet."

Liam shook his head, "I thought you hadn't been home. What kept you? Was it the woman you left with?"

Shaking my head, "Nope, it was a woman but not her."

"Fuck's sake," Adam rolls his eyes at me. "Your cock's going to fall off if you keep sticking it in strange, Johnny."

"I didn't stick my cock anywhere, brother. He stayed tucked up nice and tight all night. "

Liam finished and sat back, eyeing me, "Okay, what gives? Why are you so perky considering Andy's fucked up and they need the silver tongued one to go and sort his shit out? And you didn't get laid."

"I met the woman I'm going to marry."

The silence was deafening. "What the fuck, you're not marrying that skank you picked up last night," Liam declared.

"I wholeheartedly agree, brother. It's not her."

Liam looked puzzled, "When did you meet this other woman? I know you work fast but not usually this fast."

Smiling at the memory, I told them about how I met Maya and what she'd done. I then went on to ask my favour of Adam.

"You have to be careful with this one, Johnny, she's been hurt. Don't be messing around if you're not serious," Adam cautioned.

Frowning at him, I demanded, "Did you not hear me say I'm going to marry her? Now, are you going to help me or not?"

Adam rubbed his hand across his chin as he inspected me, before he sighed and threw up his hands, "Of course I'm going to help. I like Maya and if it's her and her children you want, then I'm not going to stand in your way."

While my plan wasn't perfect, it would have to do until I could come back and woo her in person. I handed Adam my notes and told him that Maggie would expect him every morning.

I'd done what I could to ensure that Maya would know I was thinking of her. Still fuming that I had to leave just when I'd met her.

As soon as I saw Andy, I made sure he knew just how fucking mad I was with him.

Now that I was finally back home, the first thing I planned to do was go to the Crawan Gym. Carly was bound to be there, and I needed to arrange a babysitter for tomorrow night. Plus, I may as well get the chat with Reaper out of the way at the same time. Maya hadn't realised it, but she had an entire family at her back now that the Crows had taken her in. And while she might not realise it, I certainly did. I'd kill two birds with one stone. Book Carly and get my arse beat for wanting to take out one of the Crow ladies.

Pushing open the doors to the gym, I straight away spotted Carly at the desk and moseyed on over, waiting patiently while she finished up with her client .

A look of surprise flashed across her face when she found me waiting for her, "Hi, Johnny, what can I help you with?"

No point in beating around the bush, so straight up, I asked, "Do you think you, Bren, and Bella are able to do some babysitting tomorrow night?"

"Um, sure," Carly picked up a pen and pulled a writing pad towards her, "where and when."

"Crow Manor, Maya's cottage and about six, so that it gives her time to get ready."

Carly's eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled, "Maya. Really, that's so awesome and yes, I can absolutely babysit. I'm sure the others will be happy to help, but if not, I can manage Jackson and Emy on my own."

Letting out a relieved breath, I thanked her. Taking my wallet out, I paid her up front even though she protested that she'd be happy to do it as a favour.

"Thank you for offering, Carly, but I know you could be doing something more fun on a Friday night, and I appreciate that you'll babysit for me instead."

Carly threw her head back and laughed, "Johnny, I'm not sure what you think I do on weekends but going out isn't it. More than likely, I'd be at the café with the rest of the Crow crew for an early supper, then a movie and bed. I'm looking forward to spending the night with Jackson and Emy.

"I'm guessing now that you have me sorted as babysitter, you're going to pull up your big boy shorts and go and speak to Reaper about taking Maya out," Carly grinned at me. "It's like running a gauntlet of brothers that she doesn't even know she has."

"I know," I sigh, tapping the top of her desk with my fist, I turn towards the gym. I can see Reaper standing at the ring shouting encouragement to a couple of guys I don't recognise. Dragon and Rogue are alongside him. "Wish me luck," I say to Carly as I walk away to the sound of her laughter.

Dragon nods at me when I walk up to them and Rogue gives me a chin lift, "Hey, Johnny, what's up?"

Stopping next to them, I reply, "I came to speak to Reaper," I hesitate before continuing, "well, all of you, actually."

Dragon looks at me curiously, arms folded across his chest. I'd known the Crows since I was a boy, we were the same age and when Noni had married into our family, it had brought us closer together. I had to admit to myself, though, that I was a little nervous about letting them know that I wanted to take Maya out.

Carly came up next to me and waved at Reaper to get his attention. "I've got this," she waved at the two fighters in the ring. "Johnny wants a word."

"Thanks," I muttered at her, making her giggle. "It's going to be fine," she assured me.

Reaper walked around the ring, his hand held out to greet me, "Hey, Johnny, what brings you here? I thought you were in Ireland."

"I was; I got back this morning. Can I speak to you three in the breakroom?"

"Sure, man, come on," Reaper said, walking towards the back of the gym and the small break room they had back there. Dragon and Rogue fell into step behind us.

Once we'd all found seats, I took a sip from the water bottle that Reaper handed me, wetting my dry mouth.

"What can we do for you?" Reaper asked when I didn't say anything.

Jesus, why the fuck was I so nervous? I was the one they sent into situations just like this to smooth things over, joke a little to put everyone at ease. It was a different story when it was your own heart involved. Well, there was nothing for it. I was just going to have to tell them and hope for the best. Either way, I was taking Maya out whether they liked it or not. It would just be a little easier if they didn't give me a hard time.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm going to ask Maya to come out with me tomorrow night."

That certainly got their attention. Dragon had been leaning back in his chair, balancing on its back legs. The chair dropped back to the ground with an audible thunk as he sat up. Rogue had been sitting on the counter, but at my words, he slid off and to his feet. The only one that still seemed relaxed was Reaper, but I knew he wasn't, not with the way he was eyeing me.

"Uh huh, and what makes you think that you're good enough to take her out?"

"Oh, I know I'm not," I informed Reaper. Surprise flashed across his face at my words. "I'd still like to take her out, though."

"You know what she's been through?" Dragon growled.

Nodding in acknowledgement, "I do. "

"What's your plans for her?" Rogue demands. "She's not the type you can mess around with, and she's got little ones."

Steadily, I gazed at them, "You're not telling me anything that I don't know. I'll tell you what I told my brothers. She's the one for me. I'll marry her when she's ready, and you know that her children will be mine no matter their surname."

"Just like that?" Reaper asks.

"Just like that," I agreed. "I know that she's the right one for me and I hate that she's had to go through what she has, but selfishly, I'm also happy because it brought her here. Now, am I going to mess up? Probably. But it will never be with the intention to hurt her or the children."

Reaper was silent as he considered me. He nodded, "Okay, I appreciate you coming to us. You didn't need to. Maya's a grown woman and can make up her own mind, but it's appreciated, anyway. Doesn't mean we won't give you some shit, though."

Smirking at him, I tell him, "I'd expect nothing less. And thanks."

Rogue laughed, "We were expecting you. Aunt Maggie told us what you've been doing."

"For fuck's sake. You made me sweat for nothing," I muttered, throwing my empty water bottle at him.

"Sure, as fuck did," Dragon grinned. "If you had sisters, you'd get it."

Relieved to have it over, I left them and walked down to the beauty spa that was Bren's brainchild and booked Maya in for the works. I'd bought her dress while I was in Ireland. I'd told my aunt about her and had spent an afternoon being dragged from shop to shop. It had been hell, but when Maya opened her door, I saw how gorgeous she looked. The afternoon of hell had been well worth it.

She was everything I'd dreamed of, and I couldn't wait to prove it to her.