16. Paisley

16

PAISLEY

W here are they? How is this happening? I know I prepared the documents the Callahans requested. We're supposed to meet first thing tomorrow morning for them to sign everything for the final transfer of their assets to Boldt Financial.

I flip through the ream for the hundredth time, knowing they're not in there but hoping for a miracle. It wouldn't be such a huge deal if we weren't having IT issues in the office. I haven't been able to access any of my files all day, so I've been working primarily by hand.

Slumping back in my office chair, I pinch the bridge of my nose and squeeze my eyes shut.

"Everything okay, Paisley?"

Not really. But instead of saying that, I plaster on a smile for Chuck. He's leaning against my door. "Everything's great. Just have a bit of a headache, is all."

He nods and looks around, sliding his pudgy hands into his pockets as he rocks back and forth. "Got the final meeting with the Callahans tomorrow, eh? Want Adam to sit in on it with you? He's available. He'd be a great asset. You two would be the dream team of Boldt Financial."

Narrowing my eyes, I stand and straighten my spine. "No. I don't want or need Adam to sit in on the meeting. The Callahans and I work together fantastically without anyone else butting in. Like I told you before, I'm not sharing this account. If you keep pressing me, I will take the issue to HR."

For just a second, surprise flashes in his eyes but is quickly replaced with anger as he glares down at me. "Careful who you're speaking to, Paisley. That's fine if you don't want Adam to be part of it with you, but if you screw up this account, you're fired."

He storms off down the hall, leaving me shocked and freaking out. If this were any other account, I'd laugh in his face, but with a billion-dollar portfolio, John Boldt would probably agree with Chuck. Which means I'm going to be working late to replace those documents.

I pull up my phone, find Kieran's name, and then freeze. Why is my first reaction to staying at work late to let him know? I've never answered to anyone before, but it happened so naturally. Shoot. Am I getting too comfortable? We had a deep discussion on Saturday night. I told him my darkest secrets. He said we were a serious thing. I believe he meant it. Kieran would never say anything he didn't mean. But just because he felt that way at the time doesn't mean it's forever.

He could change his mind about me. After what he went through with his horrible ex, he might because he doesn't want to risk getting hurt again. When he told me about that woman using him and cheating on him, his eyes gave away just how badly it affected him. It broke a piece of me for him. It also ignited a fire of hatred for her. Kieran is a good man. He's a lot of things, and he's done a lot of bad shit, but in his core, he's pure.

Am I in love with him? Oh my God. I'm in love with him. Shit. This is what I was worried about. I'm already addicted to the beast. I need to talk to Chloe. She'll know what I should do. I quickly switch to her name in my phone.

"Hey, girl!"

I pace my office. As much as I can anyway. Eight steps in one direction, eight back. I need more space. Outside. It's a nice day, I can walk and talk out my panic at the same time.

"I'm in love with your brother," I blurt as I make my way toward the exit.

Chloe goes silent. Then, she starts laughing while I head for the private path.

"Why are you laughing? It's not funny, Chloe. I'm freaking out here. A week ago, I hated the guy, and now, I'm in love with him. That's not normal. There's something wrong with me. Right? Maybe I hit my head. Maybe when he was fucking me, it rattled my brain and now I'm confused about how I feel."

She snorts. "First of all, ew. Can we take talking about sex with my brother off the table? I can't think about that. Second, fucking breathe, Paisley."

I take a quick glance over my shoulder as I suck in a breath. "Do you think there are wild animals in the city, Chloe?"

"What? Paisley, what the hell? Have you been kidnapped? Are you talking in code? I don't understand what's happening."

Shaking my head, I keep moving. "Nothing. I just thought I heard something behind me. I'm on the walking path by work. That's not why I called, though."

"I know. You called because you're in love with Kieran and you're panicking, and I'm going to talk you down from it," Chloe says confidently.

A smile spreads on my lips. I knew talking to Chloe would help calm me. "How did this happen?" I ask quietly.

"Well, let's see. You and I went to a club to shake our asses. Bash and Kieran showed up. Then they went all overprotective and bossy on us, and you told Kieran to shove it. I'm pretty sure that's when he first fell in love with you. I think you first fell for him when he fussed over you about freezing to death because you didn't have any pants on."

Calm settles over me as I remember that night. I was so pissed at Kieran. He was lecturing me and acted like a total jerk. I acted appalled, but later that night, after they dropped me off at home, I used my vibrator while thinking about him.

"He was a real ass," I murmur. "He's an ass a lot, actually."

"But…"

I sigh and slow down. "But he's also pretty amazing too. I'm scared, Chloe. What if?—"

"You can what-if it to death, Pais. You're worrying about something that may or may not happen. The real question is, do you want to live your life wondering about what could've been, or do you want to pull up your big girl panties and see how wonderfully it could turn out?"

"I don't have big girl panties," I answer.

She snorts again. "Me either, but you know what I mean."

"I don't want to wonder what could've been."

"Then take a chance and give it your all. My brother cares about you. I'm pretty sure he's madly in love with you, and Kieran isn't the type to do anything lightly."

I turn and look behind me again, goosebumps rising along my arms. "I'm going to head back to the office. I'll be working late."

"Okay. I love you, Pais."

My heart squeezes. "I love you too."

As soon as we end the call, I head in the direction I came from at a much faster pace. I startle at the sound of a branch breaking. There's definitely someone or something out here with me, and I still can't see the start of the path.

"I have a gun," I call out. "I'll shoot you."

Not that an animal would understand what I'm saying.

I scream as a tall, broad figure steps out from the brush, my hand flying up to my pounding chest. "Oh my God! Patrick! What the fuck are you doing here? You scared the daylights out of me."

Patrick holds up his hands, his expression concerned. "I'm sorry, lass. I didn't mean to scare you. Please don't shoot me, though. I've had enough bullets in my body lately."

"Shoot you? Oh, I don't have a gun; I was just trying to scare away what I thought was a predator or something," I ramble. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He smiles sheepishly. "I'm part of your security detail, lass."

Okay, now I really do think I'm losing it. "I don't have a security detail. I don't need a bodyguard."

"Uh, well," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "Declan, Bash, and Kieran feel differently. They knew you wouldn't be happy about it, so they asked me to keep my distance. Going on these walks out here is dangerous, though; I couldn't let you wander alone."

Warmth spreads through me. I should be angry those overbearing, controlling, stubborn men went behind my back and did something, even though they knew I wouldn't like it. I should call them and curse them all out. Maybe not Declan, though. He's kinda scary, plus he's the boss, so I should probably stay on his good side. The other two, I should give them a piece of my mind.

Instead of doing that, I stare at Patrick and try to control my trembling lip. They wanted me to be safe. They cared. These people I've only known for a short time cared enough to put a secret detail on me. Like they consider me family. I've never felt like I had a family before.

Taking a deep breath, I smile at Patrick and head back toward the office. "Come on, big guy. You don't have to stay invisible anymore."

Patrick hesitates just briefly before he starts following behind me. I'm glad he can't see the wide smile on my face.

By the time I finish redoing the paperwork for my meeting in the morning and get home, it's nearly eight, and I'm dying to see Kieran. I'm also ready to give him and Bash a piece of my mind over having Patrick following me around. I'm not angry, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to give them shit for it. For a bunch of big, scary mafia guys, they're certainly afraid to upset any of us women. It's kind of cute.

Kieran's car is parked at Bash's when I pull up. I'm sure he's waiting for me so he can take me to his house like he has the past couple of nights. The man doesn't like to be away from me, and he's made it clear that we aren't going to sleep apart ever again. We'll see about that.

The guys are yelling at the TV when I enter the living room. Almost as if he has a sixth sense, Kieran turns before Bash or Chloe notice me. Warmth spreads low in my tummy. He licks his lips appreciatively.

Smiling shyly, I set my bag on the floor against the wall.

"There's my girl," he says, his voice low and velvety.

I want to go to him and crawl onto his lap so I can absorb his warmth and comfort, but I stop myself since we're not alone.

"Paisley!" Chloe jumps up from where she was sitting next to Bash and rushes over to hug me. "How was your day?"

"It was long. I found out something today," I say.

Kieran hasn't taken his attention off me since I walked in, but now Bash has turned to look at me, too, the three of them waiting for me to keep going.

I nod and smile at the men. "I went for a walk near my work to get some fresh air, and I nearly peed myself because I kept hearing noises like someone was behind me. But every time I turned around, there wasn't anyone there."

Both Kieran and Bash stand, their faces serious and deadly as they stalk toward me. I nod and stretch the silence for longer than necessary.

"Paisley, what the fuck happened?" Kieran demands.

Huffing out a laugh, I raise an eyebrow. "What happened? Well, I started shouting that I had a gun so if there was someone lurking in the bushes, they wouldn't attack me. Luckily, it wasn't an attacker. It was my damn bodyguard."

Bash and Kieran let out deep breaths, then glance at each other and back at me.

"Uh," Bash starts.

I wave my hand in the air to stop him. His look of surprise is comical. He wasn't expecting me to sass him.

"Both of you are overbearing, stubborn, bossy assholes. You assigned me a bodyguard behind my back because you thought I wouldn't want one. Well, gee, if I didn't want one, did it occur to you to maybe not give me one?"

Bash shakes his head. "No. You're our family, lass. We protect you whether you like it or not. Get used to it. We're not risking anyone we love. Have a fit about it, and I'll ground you to the estate."

Now it's my turn to be shocked. Did he? Did Bash Gilroy just threaten to ground me? Seriously?

I look to Kieran to see his reaction, but he's crossed his arms over his chest and lets out a grunt in agreement. These unapologetic assholes. Who do they think they are?

Bash called me family. Is that what they consider me? These men don't just let anyone into their circle, but for whatever reason, they've welcomed me right in. I'm not sure how to process this. They're being high-handed, but they're doing it to protect me.

My bottom lip trembles slightly as I glance at my best friend. She's smiling at me. She gives me a subtle nod and a wink. I have a family. People who care about me.

I sniff, unable to make eye contact with Kieran or Bash because otherwise, I might burst into tears.

Bash steps forward and hooks a finger under my chin, his expression soft. "You're with us, now. We've got you, Little one. Forever."

Kieran circles me and pulls my back against his front as he lowers his mouth to my ear. "Forever, baby."

My heart swells, and all I can do is nod as I try to swallow the baseball-sized lump in my throat. I guess having them go behind my back and assign me a bodyguard isn't the worst thing in the world.