“She is.” I ask with a hint of skepticism. I hope she doesn’t think she can say anything negative about Annie, because I will destroy her entire family’s dynasty if she even thinks about it.
“Keep an eye on her. I don’t know the details, but I do know that Flynn seems all put out any time she’s within view of him. He doesn’t keep anything from us, but whatever it is with her, he’s keeping close to his chest.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you.”
Mac and Sully pick right then to strut into the living room.
“Boo?” Sully calls out for her. She playfully rolls her eyes.
“I’m right here, Sul. Take a breath.”
Sully walks over to her and I tune them out because, in the next moment, Mac is right in front of me pressing his lips to mine.
“Let’s go say bye and head home, Beautiful.” The devious glint in his eye tells me that he’s looking for some playtime.
“Let’s go….Sir.”
37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Mac
Footsteps pull my attention from the robot that I’m almost finished making for Rhett. Peering up from my desk, I see all three Fischer men stepping into my office. I’m trying not to be nervous, I mean I’m the one who called this little get together in the first place. Setting down my tools I gesture for Dieter to close the door behind him.
Lee is out with Clara and Nix, doing whatever it is the three of them do. I’m sure it entails escaping the police by the skin of their teeth more times than not. The three of them are trouble. Constantly making Kieran, Rowan, and I think‘where the hell did you guys even come from?’They’re lucky that they’re so pretty and we’re in love with them.
Lukas and Jakob sit in the chairs in front of my desk while Dieter opts to stand behind them.
“Byrne, what are we doing here?” Jakob barks out first.We’re fine, but he and my brother hate each other again, so he acts like an ass occasionally just on principle. Mentally shaking my nerves out, I decide to just dive in.
“I want to talk to the three of you about how I acted before I got sober.”
All three start to jump in to tell me that isn’t necessary, but I hold my hand up to stop them.
“Please let me.” I wait until everyone agrees before continuing.
“I was a complete mess when Lelonie walked into my life. I acted irrationally, aggressively, and dishonestly towards each of you. I truly am sorry for that. There are things I need to apologize specifically to Lee for, but I also wanted to apologize to you three for making you worry, question my intentions, and for me not being the man she deserved. That will not be an issue going forward. I’m going to love and cherish her every single day for as long as she’ll have me. She will never again wonder if she’s enough, because she is everything.”
Lukas speaks up first, “Thank you. Watching my daughter fall in love with you while you were both sick and sticking by each other as you both healed is something I cannot put into words. As her father, all I’ve ever wanted was for her to be happy, healthy, and loved beyond measure. She has that in you. Words don’t mean anything if actions don’t back them. Well, Mac, your actions proved your words before you ever opened your mouth. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we are so thankful that Lelonie chose you.” He moves over to me, and once I stand, pulls me into an embrace. The kind of embrace my father used to give us. I can’t help the way my eyes water or the way my breath catches in my chest.
Pulling away from him Dieter claps my back and pulls mein next, “Pops said it best. You’ve put in the work, and even a blind man could see the change in you. We’re all good.”
Dieter lets me go and I raise my eyebrow at Jakob, who’s still sitting in the same chair he parked his ass in when they first got here.
“Well, here’s the thing, Byrne. I have a unique perspective on this. I watched you grow up. I know when your drinking problem started, and I know that it ended not long after our conversation in Lee’s kitchen. You changed your entire life around to be a better man. For yourself foremost, but we’d be ignorant to not acknowledge that your desire to be a better man was a direct reflection of you wanting the absolute best for my sister. You promise to keep her monsters away and sleep by the door now, and we’re good.”
“Her monsters have no place here. I promise you that.”
Jakob nods in acceptance, making me smile.
“Okay, so I may have also called you guys over here because I need your help with something.”
* * *
The next day Lee and I are doing the one thing she asked of me after her transplant surgery. We’re strolling around Central Park. She’s so happy that it makes my heart soar. Every few minutes she spins around in her knee length baby blue sundress, her curly hair flowing in the wind. She’s so carefree now. A lot of people would look at the negatives of a transplant. The medications, the statistics, the possibility of rejection, but not my girl. No, my Smart Girl lives every single day like it’s a gift. She’s enjoying the simple freedom to go out and walk Central Park with her man just because shecan.
She has no idea, but I didn’t bring her out here for just a simple walk. No, I have something far more exciting up my sleeve. After making amends with each of my brothers, I pulled them all into Rowan’s office and presented them with my game plan. As of five o’clock yesterday evening, I officially work remotely for my brothers, and only when the team I’ve assembled can’t handle a task will it be passed to me. We’re going to see the world together, starting with Ireland as soon as we finish our date here.
