Are all families such a handful? Do they always have this much drama going on?
Will I ever get to have my own children and find out?
For a moment, I wonder about my cousins. The Bane family, like all good Irish Catholics, has seven children—my cousins. All adults now. But I can only imagine the kind of insanity that goes on in that household.
“Sophia’s heartbroken. I’m not sure she’ll ever be okay again.” Ravenna settles on my lap. “I have half a mind to kill Roman De Luca. Though word is no one’s seen him. He’s become a complete recluse. If I ever see him again, I’ll stab his eyes out.”
I chuckle. “Remind me to never get on your bad side. You’re a vicious woman,broc meala.”
“You love me for it. Admit it.” She loops her arms around my neck.
“I admit it. I love you.” I kiss her forehead.
But will love be enough to keep us together if I can’t give her children?
From the outside, O’Malley’s looks like a dive bar in a rough part of town. Inside it’s not much better. The place reeks ofcheap booze and body odor. Even the thick cigar smoke doesn’t manage to mask the less pleasant scents.
As soon as I enter, all eyes turn on me and the two men I brought along. I’m used to stranger’s stares at this point, as my frame not only fills the doorway but I have to duck to enter. Then, of course, the jagged scars across my face demand attention.
Several people quickly glance away, while others take their time sizing me up. I hate how often some of the larger guys see me as a challenge they’re compelled to take on. They see me and immediately think it’s an opportunity to prove themselves. To who, I’m not sure. Themselves, maybe?
It never ends well for them. Their fragile egos ultimately take as much of a beating as their flesh.
Today, one such massive guy approaches me, looking me up and down, his gaze barely touches on the two guys behind me. My fingers curl into fists, ready for what’s coming next.
“Are you Cian O’Rourke?” he asks, openly studying my scars.
Narrowing my eyes, I nod.
“Come with me.” He turns and leads us further into the bar.
Not what I expected to happen. But I’m far from out of danger’s reach, so I keep my guard up as I follow him into a private back room.
He stops my two bodyguards from entering. “They stay out here.”
I consider the risks. I’ll be vulnerable in there without backup. Ultimately, I’m on Monahan turf and what they want goes, so I tell my men to stay put. They know to take this guy out and charge into that room if anything unsavory happens.
I enter alone. Chairs surround several round tables, and I realize it’s a gambling joint. Currently not in use.
Three Irishmen sit at a single table. When I approach, they stand.
The man in the middle immediately catches my attention. His height and form rival my own, but it’s the multitude of white scars across his neck that draw my eyes. Someone tried to decapitate him and almost succeeded. Instead leaving his flesh ruined for all to see.
A sense of intimate understanding grips my chest.
I meet his green gaze, striking beneath his thick black hair. A tailored, dark suit gives him an even more formidable energy. He’s a bit older than me, but I wouldn’t want to meet him alone in a dark alley.
He’s flanked by two men who hold a close resemblance to him. I’m guessing all three are the Monahan brothers. Which means the most powerful men of their gang are right here in this room. I’d never take that risk. Wolfe and I rarely appear in the same place at the same time, especially under potentially dangerous circumstances. Leadership must be preserved or my men will fight among themselves until a new one rises to take charge.
While the man in the middle is my height, the other two aren’t much shorter. One stares at me with a scowl. He has reddish-blond hair, and dresses more casually in a black button down shirt with dark slacks.
The third man smirks at me. Easy going. Though I see the glint of death in his blue-green stare. He’s dressed in a Henley with dark jeans and a blazer.
“I’m Cian O’Rourke.”
“The one they call The Beast?” asks the sour-faced one.
I nod my confirmation.
