“Well, it seems like yer already in the steamer. I say handle the situation with yer brother. As soon as that’s over ye take yer ass after yer girl.”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
My stomach churns because nothing is ever that simple for me. I have emails and messages from some detective in regards to Missy’s suicide attempt on my phone. I’m going to have to call in a favor on that one. Given Missy’s history, I can get this dick to back off and stop calling once I talk to a few people I know in the department, but I’m not naïve enough to think that will be the end of it.
“Anything worth having is worth fighting for. If the lass is willing to put up with ya and all yer kinky shit, she’s a keeper.”
I stop and take another drink before turning and handing it back. “Okay, how do you even know about any of that?”
“Ya mum can’t hold water under a bridge. Me sister tells me everything. I honestly think she’s proud of ya.” He snorts a laugh and takes a drink. “Besides, remember that one summer I came to visit, and I got your father so luggered he slept half the next day?”
“Yeah, me, Wyatt, and Noah went to that party. Oh shit, that’s the night I tied up and gagged Ali Stokes.”
“Ya tied a fine knot, lad and I was impressed to see the butt plug. Don’t worry, I stumbled into the pool house and right back out.” He waves his hand at me dismissing the look of horror on my face.
I burst out laughing. The shit I did to that girl at eighteen is mind blowing. She was two years older and loved it. I had to beat her off with a stick for the rest of the summer.
“You know. I don’t think I’ll have to give any of it up, but I would if she wanted me to. That’s how I know she’s the one. I’m willing to wait for her to get a handle on her shit if I have to,” I say more to myself.
Not that Roni has allowed everything she’s been through to ever get in between us. It’s been the opposite. She’s allowed space for me. I’ve gotten to know her in ways I know she hasn’t permitted others to. I can’t lose that.
Uncle Ronan places a hand on my shoulder and looks me in the eyes. “Ye’ll sort this out. Yer a Black. I watched yer dad chase my sister until she was his. Cass didn’t make it easy for him at all. Now look at them. One can only hope to find that type of love,” he says, his brows creasing for a bit.
“Come on, lad. I feel like a dip in the pond.”
I chuckle. “I’m going to call it a night.”
“Aye, yer in love.”
Everyone knows the pond is a hook up spot for an after party. I’m not drunk enough for that shit. The women down around there are not my type anyway.
Chapter 40
Framed
John
“Have a seat, Mr. Black. I only want to talk to you,” Detective Louis says as if this isn’t my damn house to begin with.
I have a headache from grinding my teeth so much. I wanted to be on a plane to New York the moment we returned from Ireland and the short trip to Africa. No such fucking luck.
Apparently, Missy has been telling the police she doesn’t remember slitting her own wrists this time. Her timing with this shit is impeccable. Someone’s out to fuck with my family, trying to frame Nellie for murder.
It’s all bullshit, no body, no real evidence, but it’s not the time for me to call in favors for an alleged attempted murder when my sister-in-law has been accused of murder as well. Not to mention, I’m not trying to drag my family into this. They have enough going on.
Mom is going to kick my ass when she finds out about all of this anyway. Seeing how she handled Toby’s secrets, I know I should have said something by now. Despite the baby not making it, it’s something she would have wanted to know.
“How can I help you detective?” I say as I lean against the wall. “I’m not sure what I can tell you for the third time.”
He takes a seat on my couch, making himself at home. I don’t like this prick. There’s something smug about him.
“Your record as a bounty is outstanding. Never any incidents. Always clear cut and by the book. You don’t get that often. You guys like to play cowboys since you don’t have to follow the rules,” he says as he looks at me and my defiant stance.
I nearly flip him the bird. I don’t have time for this shit, but I keep my mouth shut. The sooner this is over with, the sooner I can help clear Nellie’s name and then get the fuck out of here to save my relationship with my girl.
“Is there going to be a point here?”
“Tell me, John. If your girlfriend slit her wrists in your kitchen, why would you get on a plane two days later as if you could care less?” he says, leaning forward in his seat as if he’s got me by the balls.
“Your first mistake. Missy isn’t and hasn’t been my girlfriend in over two years. Actually, she was never really my girlfriend to begin with. She was someone I was fucking.
“My brother’s wedding was already in the plans. I wasn’t going to miss it because Missy decided to show up at my place unannounced to try to fuck up my life,” I bite out.
He tilts his head to the side, the beaming smile on his face telling me he thinks he’s found something. “You feel like Ms. Hollis is fucking up your life. So, you’re angry with her then? She caught you cheating, and you wanted to handle the problem? Knowing her history, a fake suicide would solve all your problems, wouldn’t it?”
I go to open my mouth, but my father’s voice comes booming through the house. “This bullshit comes to an end here. My son placed the call that saved Ms. Hollis’s life. He also accompanied her to the hospital to ensure she received the proper care, both physically and mentally before he left.
“The lass is unstable in the head. You’re wasting all of our time with this. As John said, we had plans to attend his brother’s wedding. He fulfilled all his obligations and had every right to go on with his own personal life. I’ve talked to your captain; I think you best be calling in,” Dad says as he stops beside me and folds his arms across his chest.
Detective Louis frowns and stands. He takes his phone out and his face turns white as a sheet. I instantly know the calls and questions I’ve been getting over the last two weeks since I’ve been back from Africa are going to stop.
“You have a good day,” I call out as the pissed off detective storms out of my house.
I don’t even bother seeing him out. My father places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. Turning to look at him, I sigh.
“How did you find out?”
“One, you’ve been missing Sunday breakfast. That’s not like you. Second, your mother has an emotional GPS on the lot of you. She knew something was going on and asked me to look into it. I stumbled across the investigation after a few calls.
“Do you want to talk about what’s going on? I called to check in on your friend. Nate says she’s working for the Donatis, but she refuses to even mention your name,” Dad says.
“Fuck,” I growl. “It’s this shit with Missy. Not only is she trying to frame me for her fucking suicide attempt, she said something or did something to Roni while she was here to see me. I haven’t been able to go after Roni with everything that’s going on and she won’t take my calls,” I grumble in frustration.