That thought just highlighted all the reasons he was trying to keep his distance. The sex was great, but he couldn’t let it go further than that.
Locking up his office, he drove to the docks, trying to put Ruby out of his mind. He needed to focus on the job.
Arriving at the docks, he saw that Declan was already there with a dozen of their men. The docks were dark and there wasn’t much activity at this time of night. He’d paid off the employees to get them out of the way, and the boat with their shipment would be arriving soon.
“Any trouble?” he asked his brother as he approached.
“Nothing yet. It’s been completely quiet. We have men in position at the other end, and I’ve just radioed the boat captain. It’s on track to arrive in fifteen minutes.”
Owen nodded and took a walk. There was an area with huge shipping containers nearby and even though it was a gated area, he didn’t like that there was so much that he couldn’t see. Anyone could be hiding there.
But he walked past anyway, following a straight line that led to the far end, where he saw four more of his men looking antsy. Their eyes were darting around the darkness surrounding them, and they all had weapons drawn. Owen knew they were probably thinking of the two men they lost last time they had a shipment come in.
“I haven’t seen anything,” he told them. “Stay sharp. I expect trouble.”
There was no point in sugar coating it. If the Italians made a move tonight, he was prepared to put as many of them in the ground as possible. He headed back to the other end of the docks, where Declan and the majority of his men were standing. Everyone was tense and silent, jumping at shadows.
But nothing happened. No one showed up with guns blazing. The ship arrived fifteen minutes later without anyone ambushing them.
Owen wasn’t sure what to think of that, but he told Declan to stay vigilant as he got onto the boat. The captain had already been well paid, so he didn’t even question Owen as he headed for the shipping container.
Opening it up, he expected to see crates stuffed into the space, enough product to supply to most of the city. Instead, there was nothing.
Owen stood for a long moment, just staring at the dark interior of the shipping container. Even with the lack of illumination, it was obvious that nothing was there. Somehow, the Italians got to their shipment before it even arrived.
“Fuck!” he yelled, slamming the door of the container shut.
How could they have pulled this off? Now, he had no new product and he looked like a fool. He was pissed enough to kill.
* * *
Two days later, the restaurant was packed. Owen didn’t usually linger in the dining room during the busy times, preferring to just walk through and make sure things were running smoothly, but tonight, he parked himself on a barstool and sipped his scotch.
He didn’t even try to pretend that he wasn’t watching Ruby the whole time. She was busting her ass, waiting tables with a smile on her face. That smile always reached her eyes, and he liked that. She practically glowed with happiness most of the time, and he was drawn to that like a moth to a flame.
Maybe it was because he didn’t know how to live like that himself. He coveted the ability to be happy the same that he coveted her.
Shaking his head at his own thoughts, he had to wonder when he started getting philosophical as he finished off his scotch. Then again, it had been a hell of a week. Focusing on the one good thing that happened to him this week was the only thing he could stand to do.
So, he watched Ruby.
It was easy to come to the realization that he wanted to spend more time with her, but it wasn’t just sex that he had on his mind. He wanted to know her better. A few light conversations here at the bar each night weren’t doing the trick.
Ruby had glanced over in his direction several times before she finally came over to him.
“Are you planning to just sit here drinking all evening, or can I get you something to eat?” she asked.
“How about we try stew and soda bread again? I never got around to eating it last time.”
That adorable blush appeared on her cheeks again as she was reminded of what they did in his office two days ago.
“Coming right up.”
She left him and he ordered another drink. By the time she brought his food, he’d made a decision.
“You’re off tomorrow night, right?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“Yes. Are you keeping tabs on me?” She was smiling, so he knew the idea didn’t bother her.
