2. Chapter Two

2

Chapter Two

Clara

W hat the actual fuck did I just walk in on? After finishing up lunch ten minutes early I came to catch Mr. O'Brien. The one time I forget to knock on a door. I swear if I didn't have bad luck I'd have no luck at all. Now I'm standing in a room with three terrifying but impeccably dressed men. All of them are staring at me like I'm the issue. They don't even blink at the man who just had a GUN pointed at my head. No, apparently that's normal and I'm the weirdo.

As if that's not embarrassing enough, all I could think while a gun was pointed at my head was the episode of that doctor show where they say to start telling facts about yourself so the shooter sees you as a human instead of an object. Studying the man I now know as Nolan O'Connor, he's about six foot four with hair so dark it may be black, whiskey eyes, and looks like he's never missed a day at the gym. Which I guess if he's someone's security that makes sense. He looks menacing like he wouldn't blink twice if his boss told him to pull the trigger.

I pull my gaze from him and focus on Rowan Byrne. He's the same height as Nolan but just a little trimmer. Even so his arms are still barely contained in his dress shirt and jacket. As I continue taking him in, my eyes scan his trim waist and long strong legs, his trousers look like they fit him like a glove. Moving my eyes up to his face, my teeth lock around my bottom lip. He's smirking at me, busted. I'm already mortified at this point so I'll just continue taking him in. Tattoos snake out from the collar of his dress shirt, his light brown hair is short on the sides but longer on top, his strong square jaw has a dusting of reddish brown hair like he hasn't shaved in a few days. Finally making my way to his eyes, oh those eyes, dark green like the forest after a rainstorm, they're reserved, stoic almost, and look like they hold a million secrets, but they dance with amusement too. They stay on mine as he tilts his head almost like he's trying to figure me out, good luck buddy.

His words filter through my brain "Everything's okay. I'm sorry we scared you."

I let out an awkward squeak, "Oh, it's okay. I should have knocked." It's definitely not okay and I'll be bolting out of here to lock myself in the bathroom and panic as soon as I can.

Mr. O'Brien clears his throat, "Umm Clara, did you need something?"

My eyes snap to his blue ones and my face heats, "Oh, um yes, uh it's fine, I didn't realize your appointment was here already. I'm so sorry. It's just about my schedule, we can talk later."

Turning on my heels I practically race out of the office, questions swirling through my mind. Who is Rowan Byrne? Why does he need security? And the most pressing question of the moment is why do I care? My hands continue to shake as I fumble to open the bathroom door and flip the lock. Taking deep breaths, I run the underside of my wrist under cold water. My heart rate finally starts to slow. My breathing isn't as erratic, my hands steady, and the panic gripping my throat begins to ease. Looking at myself in the mirror I note my splotchy skin and red eyes. Deciding there's no way I'll be able to go back out there and act like everything is okay for the rest of the day, I'm definitely leaving early. No way am I taking the chance of running into Rowan or his lackey again. Talk of my hours will have to wait until Monday.

* * *

The buzz of my phone pulls me out of my dreams. Springing up I snatch up my phone in a panic. How long have I been asleep? Looking to the other end of the couch where Rhett is still passed out, I'm trying to guess the time based on how much sun is shining through the window. After I picked him up early from Liv we played hard, then crashed even harder. Pushing my now wild hair out of my face, my finger swipes to answer without looking. Bringing it up to my ear, I'm unable to contain my yawn as I answer, "Hello?"

A deep voice that just starred in my dream answers, "Is this Clara?"

I don't dare confirm who I am for fear that this is a trick, and we've been found, "Who is this? "

I can hear the amusement clear in his tone, "This is Rowan. We uh, met earlier." Okay so his voice is just as gravely and sexy as I remember.

Why's he calling me though? And most importantly, "How'd you get my number?" I blurt out.

"I got it from Kellum. I just wanted to make sure that you're okay. When I came to check on you, you were gone." That's actually kind of sweet if you forget that his friend pointed a loaded gun at me.

"Oh, yeah I'm fine. Just finished up my work then decided to go get my son and spend the rest of the day together."

Rowan's curious voice cuts through the line, "Gotcha. Okay, well I guess I won't keep you."

"Rowan?" I rush out before he can hang up.

"Yes, Clara?" I can hear the smirk in his voice.

"Thank you. For calling, I mean. That's really kind."

"kind…" he trails off like he's trying the word out for the first time.

"I don't think I've ever been called that, but it sounded pleasant coming from you." I smile and shake my head even though he can't see me.

"Goodbye, Rowan."

"Have a good evening, Pretty Girl." I'm taken aback by the sweet name when the call cuts.

Pretty Girl? We don't know each other so why did he throw that out there? Even as I think it my traitorous heart skips a beat. Looking over to Rhett I'm instantly reminded why my heart doesn't get to skip anymore. I don't get the privilege of looking a little too long, or having an occasional overnight guest. No, I lost those rights when I chose his father years ago. It's just the two of us, and that's how it has to stay to keep us safe.

* * *

Rowan

I'm walking into my living room the day after my run in, and later phone call, with the most stunning girl I've ever laid eyes on. I can't get her out of my head. I thought I just needed to jerk off in the shower this morning to the fantasy of her on her knees in front of me with those big dark brown eyes looking up at me, but nope, that just made it worse. I discreetly adjust my thickening cock in my jeans as the image flashes through my head again. When we talked yesterday she sounded like she'd just woken up from a nap. I wanted to keep her on the phone, to convince her to let me come over, to see where she lives, to meet her son. I want it all.

I wonder if this is what Da felt like the first time he met Ma. I wish there was a way I could ask him. I'm the oldest of six boys, and now I'm somehow the leader of the entire Irish crime family as well as the leader of my brothers, and also the legal guardian to the twins since they're still underage. Our parents died two years ago. At twenty-seven years old I should still be the clan chief for my father. Working alongside him and learning everything I can so when he is in his seventies and he retired I'd be ready to take over.

Unfortunately that's not the cards we were dealt. My Ma and Da were on their way to a musical in the city. My Ma loved musicals, and my Da loved the amazement that would shine in her eyes when she watched them. I'm pretty sure he spent more time watching her than he did watching it himself. He lived to love her and make her happy. A lot of times this life will harden you, it makes you mean, and most men don't even know what the word faithful means. Not Da, he was ruthless when handling business, and he taught all of us to be the same way. But he loved, he loved her and he loved us.

They were almost there when the Russians attacked. They took them both. I can't even talk about what they did to my Ma and made Da watch before they took them both from us. I was twenty-five at the time with five brothers between the ages of twenty-three and fifteen, everyone was looking to me so I figured it out. We took out the Bratva scum responsible and have been cordial when necessary with the remainder of them ever since.

I can barely steer my thoughts from my parents and Clara long enough to realize my three youngest brothers are at each other's throats. Mac stands on one end of the coffee table. He turned twenty not too long ago, and now thinks he's so far separated from the twins who are only three years younger than him. His shaggy medium brown hair falls over his forehead, and his green eyes the same exact color as mine are lit with rage. The twins are on the other side standing in front of the couch. Their expressions match his intensity. They stand a couple inches shorter than Mac's six foot two, but they haven't finished growing yet either. No doubt they'll be as tall as our other brother Kieran by the time they're my age .

I hate getting in the middle of their bickering; however, I'm somehow always in the middle of it. Mac is the most quiet out of all of us. If he's fired up it's serious. I decide to cut in because they look like they're going to start swinging, and two versus one doesn't fly here. With your brothers, you fight fair or not at all. "Anyone want to fill me in? If you're going to start swinging go outside. If you break my shit I'll be pissed."

A sarcastic smirk takes over Mac's face, "Go on, tell Roe what we're fighting over." Sully rolls his light green eyes and clenches his fists at his sides. He looks to his identical twin. In sync they both start talking a hundred miles an hour and I can't understand a damn thing. Throwing my hand up to silence them. Looking to Flynn, solely because he looks the least murderous of the two I declare, "Flynn, you're the speaker of the clones today. What the FUCK is happening?" Flynn pushes Sully back onto the couch and makes a zip motion across his mouth at him. A lock of Sully's dirty blonde hair falls across his forehead as he makes a "oomph" when he lands.

All of us look just alike except for the slight hair and eye color difference. Sul and Flynn have the lightest of both between the six of us. Looking straight at me Flynn starts, "Roe, it's not a big deal. We skipped school, the system sent some alert to Mac because apparently he's not above hacking into a high school attendance record and setting up alarms." He flings his arm in Mac's direction. "You guys act like you were scholars. I KNOW you skipped school more often than you'll ever admit."

Pinching the bridge of my nose and closing my eyes to try to compose myself, Mac decides it's the perfect time to throw in, "Don't forget to tell him you didn't skip alone."

My eyes pop open, "Oh, great there's more. Who?" Sully looks everywhere but me, found my target. I narrow my eyes, " Who was it, Sullivan?" We lock eyes, but he doesn't say a word. That's okay- we can do this all day. Flynn tries to cut in but I raise my hand silencing him.

Sully finally huffs out a breath, "Fine! It was Elle!!" Of fucking course it was, because who else would it be? Elle, or Elena, is the twins best friend. They're a trio of terror, who have been making dumb ass decisions since they met in third grade. My issue with it? Elle is the daughter of Theo Rossi, the current Capo of the Italian family. Huffing out an exasperated, "Why?", the twins look at each other then look at me, refusing to speak.

Mac rolls his eyes, "And now you're brought up to speed. They won't say a word."

Finally Flynn spits out, "And we won't. It's not our story to tell." What the fuck?

Kieran struts in from the home gym and tosses an empty water bottle at Flynn's head, "Can y'all not give Roe five seconds of peace? Let the man breathe." He smiles at me like he just solved all life's problems, and continues into the kitchen. I turn to continue questioning the twins because no shot I'm letting this go. Declan chooses that moment to stumble through the front door in yesterday's clothes and red eyes. I shoot him a glare, "Go take a shower and meet me in the office. We have shit to do." Looking at my three youngest brothers I grunt out, "This isn't over."

Twenty minutes later Dec walks in freshly showered popping four ibuprofen and immediately starting in, "Okay, so the Bratva are getting real twitchy. I'm not sure what's going on. But I went out with Natasha last night."

I cut him off as I bellow, "You went out with the Pakhan's daughter? Are you fucking stupid Declan? Nikolai's going to have your balls and I'm going to have to let him! What the FUCK is wrong with all you guys today?" They're going to get me killed.

Declan rolls his eyes, "Chill out Roe it's fine, he'll never find out. We were on our territory, Nolan was with me, no harm no foul. So, like I was saying after a few drinks Natasha started talking about her dad losing his ever loving shit, he thinks the Italians are working with someone to wipe them out. His logic is flawed, but regardless I waited until she passed out and had Mac hack her phone, if it gets too wild we'll know."

Declan is my second in command. My "Clan Chief'' on official business he's also the second oldest of us. Only under me by two years. He's about my height, and we have the same light brown hair color. His eyes are darker though, almost an emerald. We have the same build. Tall and stocky from the amount of time we put in at the gym. Kieran is the third oldest at twenty-three and our Enforcer, he gets the answers we need. He's a few inches taller than I am and stands at about six and a half feet. His hair is so dark it's almost black, but not quite.

His eyes are lighter than mine, but hold so much rage it's like he's constantly hanging on by a thread. He's one of the best Enforcers I've ever met, and he enjoys it like no one I've ever seen. I appreciate a good meeting every now and then, I'll even get my hands dirty to get the information I need. However, Kieran lives for the violence, the torture. I think it keeps his demons at bay. He doesn't talk about it, but I know my brother. Then that brings us to Mac, he's our tech guy. He's so good the government tried to recruit him at the ripe old age of sixteen. Obviously he said no, and now he makes sure we're safe and secure at all times.

"So Mac planted a bug on her, but what good is that going to do? She's his daughter Dec, not his under boss."

Declan smiles like the Cheshire cat, "Correct, but all she has to do is get her cell within five feet of his and BAM, we have him bugged too."

I huff and wave him off, "Okay, lets see what Mac can get for us. Until then stay away from the mother fucking Pakhan's spawn." Dec rolls his eyes and mock salutes me "Yes, Boss" then walks out of my office. Pulling out my phone I shoot off a text to Mac.

Rowan: You got any info on that name I gave you last night?

His reply is immediate

Mac: Yeah, I got something but it isn't much. Why do you want info on some single mom who lives in a shitty apartment?

Rowan: None of your business, MacQuillian. Send it over

Mac: Oh shut the fuck up *eye roll* Here, now leave me alone. *document attached*