Chapter 27

I hated leavingher with Rogue. But if push comes to shove, I know he would put her life before his, and that's what matters.

Tynan told me Patrick was back, and I wanted to speak to him in person. This is a face-to-face type of conversation.

Parking in one of the garages at Patrick's estate, I grab my cell and check on a recent bank transaction. Three million dollars has been successfully sent from one of my offshore accounts into Konstantin's. I already paid him the five K I owed him for the membership. At least that shite is over with.

Getting out of my car, I head up the cobble steps, and the doors immediately open, two guards stationed on both sides greeting me with a tilt of their heads.

The smell of garlic and tomatoes permeates my nostrils. It's either Patrick cooking or one of his staff. The man is a damn good cook.

As soon as I head toward the stairs, up to his study, Tynan walks down and greets me.

He slaps a palm against my back. "He's waiting for you."

"Does he know what I'm here to say?"

"That you wanna marry my sister? Nah." Tynan smirks a fragment. "I thought the news would be best coming from you."

"Do you think he'll take it well?"

"I don't know. My father is…well, you know how he is." He shrugs. "You're on your own."

"Mm-hmm."

I don't know how Patrick will take the news. But I can't pretend that I can live without her anymore.

Heading up the stairs, I knock on the door, ready to get this over with.

"Come in," he says, reading through some papers on his desk.

The Quinns own a lot of property and businesses, most of them involving gambling. Patrick is constantly busy. But he's tired lately, and I think that's why he's pushing Tynan to marry. He wants his sons and daughters to pass his legacy on to the future generations.

"So, tell me…" He swivels back in the chair, eyes centered on me. "What did you have to discuss that was so urgent?"

Gripping the back of my neck, I figure out a place to start. "I can't let Eriu marry Mason."

"Oh? Why not?" He leans back in his swivel chair, rolling back and forth, brows set in a tense stare.

"Because…"

Just bloody say it, already.

He waits for me to continue, but my mouth won't move. No matter how many times I've rehearsed this shite in my head, it's not enough.

"I've never seen you look this terrified." Patrick laughs. "Just spit it out, son, or we'll be sitting here all damn day."

"Aye." I choke on an inhale and just blurt it out. "I can't let her marry him because I want to be the one to marry her. Sir."

Feckin' hell, I did it.

When his eyes widen and he freezes in the chair, I'm no longer sure if I should shut the hell up and leave or continue.

But I've gotta tell him how I feel. It's the only way.

"I know our age difference is big, and I know I've disappointed you in the past, failed her in the past. Feck, I've failed more people than I can count. But I love her, sir. I love her with all my heart and soul, and I need that to be enough. I need you to tell me that's enough. Because she's enough for me, and I wanna take care of her for the rest of my life."

At first, his mouth thins and thick brows tug, but then he breaks into a grin.

"Bloody finally!" He bangs a fist on the desk and shakes his head on a chuckle. "I've been waiting for you to man up and admit your feelings for my daughter since you got your arse out of prison."

"What? You knew? How?"

"You all must think I'm some idiot, not realizing when a man has feelings for my daughters. I mean, okay, fine…." He throws a hand in the air. "I was blind for a bit with Iseult and Gio, but they hid it well. You, on the other hand?" He snickers. "Son, I saw it the moment you stormed into my home, looking all bent out of shape after she was saved from the kidnapping. I saw it the moment you laid eyes on her. The relief. The love. I see it all. But I would never let my daughter marry a man who couldn't admit his own feelings. Because if you can't do that, how can you love her? So I was waiting patiently. Wanting to see what you'd do if she were to marry the likes of Mason feckin' Reynolds."

I almost collapse. But instead, I take a seat across from him, my elbows on my knees, unable to speak.

"You played us into believing she was gonna marry him?"

"Well, at first, I was considering it. For a second. The opportunity for our families was decent. But he was too much of a slimebag. Instead of telling his father the engagement was off, I let it continue. I needed you to finally man up and marry my daughter because there's no one in this world who can love and care for her the way you do. I know that in my gut. I just needed you to know that too."

Emotions punch in my throat, and I blink faster to hide it all, too consumed with it. He actually believes I'm right for her. That I, Devlin McHale, am right for his daughter.

"I have to admit, son, I was losing faith in you, but then I heard about poor Mason's accident." He smirks and shakes his head. "You know, the one where he lost his hand?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, sir." The corner of my mouth jerks.

"Of course not." He feigns a serious expression.

"Mason, of course, told his father there was a burglary. The cameras were all conveniently disconnected too. No witnesses except good old Mason."

"How's he doing?" Mirth sets in my tone. "Must be terrible not to be able to use his right hand."

"Poor lad. Must've done something to deserve it."

"Aye." I glare. "He won't be touching my wife again."

"Again?" Patrick presses a fist to the edge of the desk, a glare tight on his face. "Bet your arse he won't. I shoulda killed him just for being a shite."

"It's over now." I nod. "But speaking of Mason, there's something else you need to know."

I rehash the stuff with the Palmers, the name Camora found on the bank account, and its connection to Mason.

"How the hell did we miss this snake in the grass? What could he be up to with them?"

"I have no clue. Not yet. It might have something to do with Eriu. But Grant's still looking."

"What are we gonna do with him in the meantime?"

"Let's wait before we get rid of him. We tell him the marriage is off and see what he does and who he talks to, then we see if the money continues. I wanna catch Palmer. I want to kill him and his sons. And anyone who works for him. Until they stop coming."

Patrick angles in close. "I'm on board with that. I will make the call to Mason's father."

"No." I incline my chin. "How about I do the honors? I'll even bring him a get well soon card."

Patrick chuckles, shaking his head. "You crazy son of a bitch. Alright. Do it. Then tell me all about it."

"Aye." I start to rise, heading for the door.

"And, Devlin?" he calls, and I turn back to him.

"Yeah?"

"I always saw you as one of my sons. Now it's gonna be official."

Feckin' hell. I can't bloody cry in front of this man.

"Thank you."

"Does she know yet?"

"No, but I intend to go home after talking to that prick and tell her. But I was thinking, and maybe this is stupid, but can we have the wedding here? And maybe it can be a surprise?"

His eyes soften. "Well, I assumed you'd have it here. Of course. And the surprise? I like it! I'll speak to Fernanda. She's gonna have this place turned into a fancy wedding in a week. Think you can handle that?"

A week. Hell, what's a week when I'll get to spend the rest of my life with her?

"Yeah, I think I can."

"How are we gonna get her here and all dressed up?" he asks.

"I have no idea. But I'm thinkin' maybe Iseult can somehow help with that."

"Aye. My daughter has a creative imagination." He chuckles. "Man, I love weddings. Don't you?"

I shrug. "Never had a reason to. Not until now."

"Yeah, these women, they just have a way of doing that, don't they?"

"Thank you, sir."

"You don't have to thank me. I know you will do right by my daughter. You always have."

And I always will.

As soon as I get past Mason's security—again—and knock on his door, his eyes bug out. I almost feel sorry for him, standing there behind a flimsy glass door, trembling and backing away, holding out that one good hand, the other wrapped in thick gauze.

Nah, don't feel bad at all. He had it coming.

I fire a bullet into the doorknob, destroying the lock and stepping over one of his guards as I walk in.

"Hey, how's the hand?"

"P-please. I—I haven't called her! I haven't seen her. So get out!"

I shut the door behind me with my foot and lean against it. "How did you hurt your hand there?"

His brows snap, and he swallows thickly. "Burglary. That's what I said to everyone. I won't talk. I swear!"

"That's good. Wouldn't want whoever did that to come back and take more. It'd be a real shame to lose another fine hand. Don't you think?"

He starts crying, really crying. Ask me if I care.

"I came to tell you that Patrick is calling off the engagement. It's over. You're not to come near my wife, you understand me?"

"Your what?"

"You heard me. I'm marrying her."

He has the balls to laugh. "Oh man, I knew it! You wanted to fuck her the whole time, didn't you? I told her I had a feeling about you."

It's like he's asking for a bullet in his head.

"Did you fuck her already? Was she as tight as I imagined?"

That's it.

Feck it.

My tight fist lands square into his nose, and I swear I hear a crack.

"Shit!" he yells, holding on to it with his left hand, blood dripping in between his fingers.

With a dry chuckle, I open the door and start to head out.

"You seem to attract a lot of burglaries," I tell him over my shoulder. "I'd maybe switch up my security." I glance down at the dead guard. "Doesn't look like they do a good job."

I leave him behind, but I know I'll see him again soon, and he will tell me everything he knows about the Palmers.

Back in my car, I can't wait until I'm with her and she's in my arms. Just the thought of her lying in my bed, with my shirt on, does a whole lot of things to me. I never thought I'd have this: a woman like her, a life together. But it's right there, waiting for us.

When I put my phone on speaker, it rings as I head on the highway.

"What do you want?" Iseult answers in her usual polite tone.

"Hello to you too. I need a favor."

"What is it?"

"Promise not to ask too many questions?"

"I promise no such thing. Now tell me what you need."

"I'm gonna marry your sister in a week at your father's place, and we need to come up with a plan to get her all dressed up for it."

"Wait, WHAT?!"

I laugh at the shock in her voice.

"I don't understand what's happening exactly, but I approve. Good job, McHale. You finally got that stick out of your ass enough to see my sister has been crazy in love with you probably her whole life."

"Okay. Yeah, thanks. Now will you help me?"

"For Eriu? Of course I will. Leave it to me. I'm gonna have her looking like she's about to walk into her own wedding."

"Well…that's exactly what's happening."

"Whatever. Shut up." She snorts. "When a woman says she can help you, don't go pushing her buttons. But I have to know, how the hell did you convince my father?"

"Apparently he wasn't all that sold on Mason either. He's been waiting for me to tell him how I felt about her."

"Wow. Go Dad. I didn't think the old man had it in him to be this level of deceiving, but he is my father, after all. Oh, does Mason know yet? Please tell me he does and he's miserable."

"He's plenty miserable already. Did you not hear he lost a hand?"

"Keep going. This is getting exciting."

She's crazy, and it's why I like her. Iseult is one of the most skilled enforcers I have ever met. Sure, she's a little unhinged and has some anger issues here or there, but who doesn't? Her heart's always in the right place, and her love for her family and her sister is something to witness.

"Bastard had it coming."

"What did he do?"

"He put his hands on your sister."

"Excuse me? And he's still alive?! Are you fucking kidding me?"

"He won't be for long. Don't worry. But we need him alive for now. I found out he's being paid by the same people I was once connected to, so we're gonna have him followed to see what we can find."

"Fine." She huffs. "But you'd better make it quick, because he needs to go."

"Aye."

"Keep me informed. And promise me that when you do kill him, I get a front-row seat."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ugh. Don't ever call me that."

"Fine, the devil it is."

"Now you're speaking my language. And, McHale?"

"Yeah?"

"You know what happens if you break my baby sister's heart, right?"

"Let me guess. You're gonna break mine."

"Yeah, but your heart is the last thing I'll break. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, congrats!"

"Yeah, thanks. A man has got to be crazy to have you as his sister-in-law."

She laughs while my pulse beats faster, unsure if I can even pull this wedding off.

"Do you think my plan of surprising her is stupid?" I ask. "Because you can tell me, you know. You won't hurt my feelings. I mean, it's shite, right? Women don't like that? Ugh, I should just propose like a normal guy and let her plan a wedding and do all that girly crap."

She bursts with thick laughter. "Aww, nervous Devlin is adorable. I can see why she's in love with you."

"Shut up. I'm not adorable."

But she doesn't. She keeps laughing while I mutter a Gaelic curse under my breath.

When she finally stops laughing, she says, "No, the surprise isn't stupid. Eriu doesn't care about fancy weddings and all that stuff. She just wants you, and I think surprising her is gonna give her the biggest shock of her life. So, this is what we're gonna do…"