“I’ve clocked at least three girls in the last fifteen minutes making eyes at you, and you haven’t so much as twitched.”
“Make sure Jerrad and Garrett have a little chat with Cam Reeves I don’t want to see him in our club again,” I say, ignoring his comment and pulling out my phone to check on howotherbusiness is going, paying no attention to my best friend and his never-ending mission to get me laid.
Cam Reeves is known around our circles for drugging girls’ drinks and taking advantage of them. He’s got a lot of balls stepping into an O’Rourke bar. The bouncer at the door also needs a talking-to for allowing him in here.
Though my father’s passing had been unexpected, he’d ensured I was well prepared for the day I was to take over as heir to Boston’s Irish throne. But as prepared as I’d been to assume the role of head of the family, not a single fucking thing has gone right since.
The human trafficking trade has exploded in our father’s absence. The Russian Bratva and the Italian Mafia are making moves, pushing the boundaries of their territories. Testing my patience.
“Aye, Boss,” Mac smirks, pulling out his phone to relay the message. “I’m just saying, that brunette down there looks like a lot of fun. Brunettes certainly do catch your eye.”
I work my jaw. “Not interested.”
“You didn’t even look!” Mac laughs, peering back down at the girl with obvious interest.
“Who are you kidding, Mac?” Jace Reilly’s voice drifts in from behind us. “Don’t you know by now our Koen is allergic to fun? I reckon he’s vying to take over for Father Lucent.”
“Still, wouldn’t hurt him to take a night off every once in a while,” Mac grumbles. “Might help relieve some of that pent-up tension,” he heckles and Jace shoves him playfully in the shoulder.
I pay them no mind, continuing to scan the crowd. Yeah, I’ve been in a bit of a dry spell. But only because I didn’t find it to be worth my time or energy. I have more important things to worry about than getting laid.
Shit in the city was about to get ugly, and anyone connected to me is a target. The Irish have a lot of enemies.Ihave a lot of enemies. My brothers? They can take care of themselves. My sister? We keep her on lockdown, guards trailing her twenty-four seven. It would be the same for any woman I marry because my enemies would do anything to get to me, and if they can’t get to me, they’ll go for those closest to me.
Besides, now that I’m boss of the family, I’m expected to marry for alliances. That was always how it was meant to be. Hell, the pressure to marry had been pushed on me since before I’d even turned eighteen. It was never about love or connection but what a bride could bring to the table. What strategic advantages did she give the family?
And if I thought I’d known pressure before… As the heir, it had been a near constant conversation since I’d come of age. But ever since I’d taken over, there hasn’t been a moment’s peace from the clan leaders.
So I didn’t let anyone close.
Simple. Easy.
That is untilshehappened.
I never got her name, herrealname, because something in me knew that if I did, I’d never be able to leave her alone. Myobsession with her didn’t make sense. I’d felt myself claim her the first time I heard her voice.
It was one night, one dare, onemistake.
She was too good for me.
It scared me in the moment and I shoved her away. But now, even years later, it’smethat pays the price because no matter what I do, I can’t seem to let her go. I still scan every crowd—desperate for a glimpse of something I can never have.
My phone buzzes and I open it up to find an S.O.S text from Aidan. Reading it over, the corner of my lip ticks up.
Mac, not one to miss a thing, sees it and groans.
“Ah fuck, and here I thought we’d have a quiet night tonight.” He lifts his glass to his lips, draining the rest of his beer in one go.
I turn my gaze to Jace. “Get Liam, Jerrad, and Garrett and meet me by the bikes. We’ve got Volkov in the city.” My smile turns dark.
“Who wants to go wolf hunting?”
10
ONLY WAY OUT
BRIAR
Now
