“Yes, Boss.”
There’s even a little pride in Declan’s voice this time.
“All good there otherwise?” I ask about the brothel he manages alongside Frida.
“Yeah, though Frida said she’s ready to start thinking about retirement.”
We both snort at that.
She stopped being a working girl a long time ago, but she’s helped us put systems in place at all the brothels so we’re in the best position to take care of everyone there.
It’s been five years since I first approached the subject of retirement with her. I wanted her to enjoy her golden years, all her grandkids, and spend more time with Celly—her sister. The answer back then was, “Don’t think I won’t knock you around just because you’re my boss. You’re still a boy, Eian Dempsey.”
I really didn’t want to be on the receiving end of one of her chanclas, so I dropped the subject and haven’t brought it up since.
“So it’ll be another five years,” I tell him, the humor helping both of us after that tough conversation.
“At the very least.”
“The next time she brings it up, have a name ready for her. Someone she should start training to take over, yeah?”
“Already got a list started, Boss.”
“Good, talk soon.”
As I end the call, I’m glad I made it.
It was a gesture, not something I’d do for just anyone, and not really necessary since Seamus let me know years ago he wanted to be put to work. I told him he better go to college to be sure he was going to be any good for me, if only to delay things a little, but I know this is what he wants. I could’ve gone directly to him with this, but talking about it with Declan first is a small thing I can do so he knows I’ve still got his back, and that I understand how difficult this will be for him.
With that done, I touch base with Sean, and he tells me he’s chosen the two men he’ll train to take over the other two casinos and that he’s replaced the three dealers already. I trust him to know best there, so I check for anything that still needs doing before I finish for the day and join everyone for dinner.
Even though I told Nan that Bran and I could join her at the mansion, she insisted we leave it for next week so I could make sure Colby is settling in okay—whatever that means. So Bran isn’t joining us today.
I check the tracking app, where I can find anyone of importance to me, and realize he’s out having dinner at some fancy French place.
Just to remind him that I exist—melodramatic, who, me?—I text him.
Eian:
Don’t order the onion soup if you’re on a date.
It only takes him ten seconds to get back to me.
Bran:
Ha ha
Get a life, old man.
I roll my eyes at him even though he can’t see me, and I refuse to use emojis since I have self-respect and my time is too valuable to go looking for the right one.
Since there’s nothing else for me to do, it’s time to face the music.
I’ve deliberately been avoiding thinking about Colby all day because... well, his silence after that mind-blowing orgasm in the car wasn’t ideal in my book.
Complete silence isn’t really what I was hoping for, and it’s insane that I would gladly have taken another barrage of questions from him that would have required me to speak for minutes on end. That would make me shudder underany other circumstances, but this is Colby, so nothing is like it should be.
I think I’ve given him more than enough time to settle into his thoughts, come to peace with what’s happening between us,and—I have to answer that stupid voice in my head that reminds me of Bran’s words—when I’m sure he’s ready for it, I’ll use my words and explain to him whatmyfeelings are.
