“Darragh…” His name sounded like a plea.
“Put on your uniform. Leave everything else where you found it.” Slowly, he moved from the bed and further away from me. I mourned the loss immediately. “Breathe a word of what happened here or where you’ve been for the last two days, and there will be consequences.”
Ticktock.
Ticktock.
Ticktock.
We were both counting down the time in our heads. There were things that needed to be said, things that couldn’t wait.
“Darrah.” I exhaled, sorrow washing over me. “I wish you love in your future.”
He answered with his back turned. “And I wish you money, Otelia Mae.”
And that was all.
CHAPTER 17
MacCabe
Three Weeks Later
“SO, YOU’RE REALLY not going to tell me about this mystery woman you kidnapped and held against her will for two days?” Ferdi asked.
“Nope,” I replied for the third time. “And I would appreciate it if you would stop calling it a kidnapping, fucker. It was an invitation to enjoy my company while you were away.”
“Riigghhttt…you expect me to believe that shit? Conner already told me she was drop-dead gorgeous, said the bitch was built like a brick shit house with a mouth and ass made for handling big cock. I’ll believe his word over yours right about now.”
“Hey, believe whatever the fuck you want. Gave you my answer, not going to repeat myself.”
“Damn, bruh, seems to me if she meant nothing…” Enough of this shit.
“You wanna fill me in on what you were doing down in Columbia?” I snapped, knowing full well he wouldn’t. It was enough to shut him the hell up, though, and that was all I needed.
My second-in-command returned from Cartagena two days after the match with the Japanese champion. We’d been discussing plans for our expansion to the West Coast when he decided it was schoolgirl gossip time. I wondered why I even bothered to try and keep secrets around here. Between my father putting his nose where it didn’t belong and the interwoven intricacies between the family and my own personal business, it was like living in a vacuum. Nothing was sacred or off limits; everyone knew everything, especially if it affected the bottom line. Otelia was different. Our time alone together was my own.
I wouldn’t share that…not with anyone.
I’d thought about her over the last few weeks. Wouldn’t lie and say I hadn’t, especially at night when everything was quiet and peaceful. Her sweet scent permeated the room she’d vacated, a staunch reminder that she’d once inhabited the now empty space. Everything was as she’d left it—all the shoes, clothes, toiletries, even the bed remained unmade per my instruction. She’d gone back to her life at the diner. I smiled fondly to myself thinking about those first few hours of her being gone and waiting for the police to show up at my door with a farfetched tale of kidnapping. Deep down I knew she wouldn’t do it, not after everything that had happened between us, but there was still that off chance I’d been wrong about her.
I wasn’t.
She was everything I thought and more.
“Are you listening to me, Darragh?” Ferdi barked, tugging me out of my head. “If you could wipe that shit-eating grin off your face for half a fucking second…”
“Take it easy.” I sobered. “Run it by me again.”
Ferdi took a deep breath, his patience wearing thin with me. Whatever was on his mind must’ve been damn important for him to switch gears so quickly. Never known the man to lose his cool while discussing business.
“We’re being infiltrated,” he snapped through gritted teeth. “Unknown source making moves.”
All movement stopped.
My hands balled into tight fists.
“Precisely,” Ferdi snarled. “Thought that would get your attention.”
“Speak.” My heart thundered against my rib cage in absolute fury.
“Someone’s making waves on the circuit,” Ferdi began. “Stole two of our best fighters from right under our noses before I could put a stop to it. Whoever it is, he’s powerful, and he’s connected, not sure with whom yet.” He scrubbed a hand down his frustrated face before he continued. “They struck fast while I was away. Never saw it coming,” he gritted.
“And you haven’t got a beat on this guy? Must be losing your touch, asshole.” Ferdi was the best. If there was information to be had, he would find it.
“Give me a day, and I’ll have this fucker pegged. I don’t like surprises or sneak attacks. Motherfucker doesn’t know who he’s messing with.”
“Call in the boys. I want their asses here the minute we return. No excuses, Ferdi,” I yelled.
“You thinking what I’m thinking, boss?”
“Fuck yeah,” I sneered. “War is coming, and we need to be ready.”
We walked side by side into the hangar and boarded a private plane headed to Boston for the evening. My father was giving a dinner party for some of the most influential bosses on the East Coast, and my presence was expected. The short jaunt gave me enough time to consider everything Ferdi had said about my fighters. By the time we arrived at my parents’ front door, I’d resolved myself to two things: One, whoever was trying to take over my business was a fucking dead man walking. Two, this trip was a big waste of my time.
I knew my parents would be busy with last-minute preparations, so I didn’t bother announcing our arrival. They’d see us soon enough. Ferdi and I found our way to the guest quarters for a quick shower and change of attire. This was an upscale affair by invitation only—evening gowns and tuxedos were compulsory. When I emerged from the room, the party was in full swing judging by the boom of voices and classical chamber music strumming throughout the hall. Two hours tops, and Ferdi and I were out of here. I had shit that needed handling.
“Baby bro!!” I heard called once I reached the entryway to the great room, where the event was being held. My older brother and middle son of the family, Fionn, stood in all his glory wearing a tuxedo minus the bowtie, something I was sure my mother gave him shit about. His obnoxious grin and knowing smile made me want to knock his ass out. I hated when he called me baby bro in front of other people. He was lucky I loved him so much, as with all my family, or he would’ve been tasting my fists. He grabbed me in a bear hug and easily lifted me off my feet. Fucker was strong as an ox.
“What took you so long to get here, you little cocksucker? Mom’s having a conniption.”
“You know how much I like to make an entrance.” I gave him a hard pound on the back and returned his hefty embrace.
“That you do, little dick, that you do.” He smirked.
“How’ve you been, Spoon?” I ribbed him back with my own knowing smirk. Spoon was his family nickname, given to him by my mother when he was a child for stealing one of her serving spoons. He’d carried that thing around everywhere like a damn security blanket until he was five years old. We never let him forget it.
“If I were any better, it would be a crime. Already got pussy lined up for after the party. Bitch said she’s gonna spread peanut butter on my dick and won’t stop sucking till it’s all gone.”