“New security system installation?” I ask, always curious what he’s up to in our home.
“Just some upgrades, Mrs. O’Rourke. Installing a new motion sensor for this room.” He continues working while he gives me the necessary details without further elaboration. He’s always succinct.
“Is that really needed?”
He gives a one shoulder shrug. “This way the camera for the door only turns on when there’s movement. The last one was faulty, unreliable. No use recording this area when there’s no one here.”
“Makes sense. Thanks for doing that.”
“Have a good day, Mrs. O’Rourke.”
“You too.” I’m about to head up the stairs when Cian appears on the main floor hallway.
“I need to speak with you.” He doesn’t sound too happy.
“Oh? About what?”
He tilts his head toward his office, and I follow him inside. We kiss in greeting, then he settles behind his desk, back to focusing on business. Apparently business that somehow includes me.
“Wolfe called.” He eyes me and my chest tightens. “He doesn’t want to drive you anymore. Doesn’t want to be your bodyguard either. I’m sorry, but I’m going to give you a new driver and guard.”
“That’s fine.” I round the desk, sitting my ass on the hard surface. “There’s no love lost between me and Wolfe. He’s never going to forgive me, and I don’t want him to spend his days doing something he hates.”
Wolfe’s been especially short-tempered and unfriendly. Understandably so.
Cian releases a relived sigh. “Okay. I didn’t know how you’d take that news. I didn’t want to upset you.”
“I’m really fine. Wolfe’s grumpy on the best of days, you can only imagine what he’s been like since the… incident.”
“Oh, I can imagine.” He chuckles. “You injured his pride and he’s going to lick that wound for a very long time.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for it.”
“I don’t think you fully understand. Wolfe used to be an assassin, freelance, a hitman for hire. He was damn good at it too. The very idea of him getting bested by three young women and locked in a cellar… Well, I’m surprised he feels he can show his face anywhere. The story spread like wildfire through the men.” Cian’s hand settles on my thigh. “Of course, the first man to try to tease him about it ended up in the hospital. So the others have been quiet since then, but they all know what happened. You sort of damaged Wolfe’s reputation.”
My stomach drops like a lead weight. I hadn’t realized what I’d done would have these kinds of repercussions. No wonder Wolfe hates my guts.
“Is there anything I can do to make this right?” I ask Cian.
He shakes his head. “I doubt it. Sorry,broc meala.”
Unease swarms in my gut. I’d hoped by now that the Irish would at least tolerate me, instead of treating me like an outsider. I’m beginning to think my status here will never change until I have a half-Irish child. Even then,Imight not be accepted by them, but I’ll have family ties through my offspring. But will that ever come to be?
CHAPTER 36
Cian
After going through the Monahan brothers’ dossiers, several months ago, I decided to take action. Neither my people nor the Italians needed to get tangled up with these newcomers. I sent a text message to the number my cousin Niall acquired for me, supposedly it was Cormac Monahan’s personal contact. But my message went unanswered for months.
All through the house’s renovation, and the drama with Ravenna’s cousin, Sophia being taken by De Luca. Which ended up being fine, until it wasn’t. They married earlier this summer, but now they’re going through a sort of falling out. I try not to get involved unless Ravenna insists.
Business has been going well, we even plugged that money leak in that Harlem gambling den.
But hearing back from Cormac Monahan brightens my day. It means I can finally move forward on this front.
Cormac Monahan:
We’ll meet. O’Malley’s bar. Wednesday. Six PM.
