9
Chapter Nine
Mac
My head spins as I stand in the center of the gym at my house. My fists are moving double time while hitting the speed bag. My muscles do all the work for me as my thoughts center on Riley. She’s spunky, and that turns me on more than I’d care to admit. I knew that adopted comment would push Dieter over the edge. I just needed to make sure he was willing and able to protect her until she decides to let me in.
After I shook things up at the coffee shop this morning, I parked my Jeep a few blocks away and walked back to the coffee shop just in time to watch her walk out. Thankfully the city is busy enough that my trailing behind her went unnoticed. Lukas doesn’t have a tail on her, or if he does, they’re just as fucking stupid as he is if he doesn’t. I followed her all the way to Rachel Thompson’s office. Ms. Thompson,I found out, is Lee’s psychologist. I waited just far enough out of sight that I didn’t bring attention to myself until she came out.
Then I followed her back to her apartment complex. After waiting an hour or so, I was content that she was home to stay, at least for right now. That and my flask was empty, so I knew it was time to go. I don’t have cameras inside her apartment. I’m notthatcrazy…yet. However, Ihavehacked into her apartment’s security system and can see who comes in and out of that apartment. So far there’s been no one today. Weird because over the past few weeks I’ve seen her family steadily streaming in and out. There’s also been a woman who comes by three times a week. I don’t know who she is, and I can’t get a clear shot on her face. It’s like she knows where the cameras are and avoids them. She stays for three to four hours every time, and then she leaves.
My arms begin to ache at the steady movement. Stopping, I shake them out. Flynn walks in and slaps my shoulder as he passes.
“You getting weak on us, big brother?” He laughs as Sully walks in right behind him. They both move to the treadmill.
“Yeah, I’m a real weakling, Flynn. Why don’t we go into the ring and find out how much so?” We have an old boxing ring in here that we use to get our frustrations out on each other when need be. So many disagreements have been solved on those mats.
“No can do, Macky-Lacky. Coach would kill me if I got injured fucking around with you this close to playoffs.” Flynn plays hockey for Princeton. He was drafted by Jersey last year, and they currently hold rights to him, but he was left in college to develop more.
I lift my chin at Sully. “You?”
He throws his hands up in surrender, “Not me. You look pissed, and I’m not stupid.”
Laughing at him, I finally crack a smile. “I’m not pissed. I’m actually fine today.” They start warming up on the treadmill, so I turn to face them.
“Fine as in?” Sully lets the question hang in the air. The twins and I are just far enough apart in age to where we butt heads, but for the most part we keep each other’s shit from the oldest three. I mean, I tell Kieran everything that has to do with me, or that could be dangerous. Aside from that, I keep the twins’ little secrets.
“Fine as in I’m not trashed on a Tuesday at one pm. I told you guys you were being dramatic. I can control my shit just fine.”
“Yeah, we know. The other three are just overly involved in everything we do.” Flynn tosses out.
“I get it, they’re worried. There’s no need, though. I’m back to the old Mac in less than a week.”
The twins grin and change the subject. We talk about how school and sports are going for them, and me closing in on this person I have to gather intel on for Rowan. Fifteen minutes later I head upstairs in search of a shower and a couple of shots. My head’s starting to hurt.
* * *
The faint sound of my phone buzzing catches at the back of my mind, but I’m so focused on what I’m doing that I don’t even register it. I’m right there. So fucking close to the finish I can practically taste it. Just a few more moments.It’s…..right…..
“Got it!” I spring to my feet and thrust my hands into the air in victory. “Caught you, bitch.”
Kieran’s laugh echoes through the room. He’s been sitting on my couch near my desk watching me for almost an hour. He says it calms his head to just sit in here and watch me work. Kieran’s three years older than me. Where that age difference caused issues between the twins and me, it never fazed me and Kieran. He climbed into my crib the night my parents brought me home and declared me ‘his baby’, and that was all she wrote. We’ve been tight ever since.
“How long have you been looking for that name?” He asks me with amusement shining through his voice.
“Three fucking days.” Dramatically, I flop back into my chair.
“You’re aware it would have taken anyone else weeks to find that shit, right?”
“Shut up, I let you be dramatic yesterday about the guy you successfully skinned alive.”
“Dude, you should have been there. It’s been years in the making, and I finally got it.” The look of pure glee in his eyes would be comical if it weren’t so concerning. Yeah, we’re aware of the level in which Kieran is fucked up. He isn’t the most feared Enforcer in the country for nothing.
“I’ll take your word for it.” I tell him as my fingers fly over my keyboard. Sending Rowan my findings takes only half a minute. “Not that I don’t love you being here, but why are you in here?”
“I’m done working for the day. Wanna hang out?”
“Hang out where?” My phone buzzes again, reminding me that it went off when I was busy.
