“Feck off. The boss wouldn’t allow it.” Cillian shook his head and kept his arms crossed. “Seriously, sir, why are ye here?”
Conall gave him an unimpressed look and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I made a good argument. The Virtue ismineand I’m going to be there when justice is handed out. I deserve that.” He squared his shoulders. “And Sloan trusts the three of you to protect me.”
Cillian’s lips twisted.
I winced and opened my mouth before Cillian could say something rude. “With all due respect, sir—”
“Don’t do that,” Conall snapped, glaring. “Don’t treat me like I’m made of glass and you’re too scared to say what you’re thinking. I might be Sloan’s pet, but I am a big boy. I had a life before him. Sloan’s not here, so talk to me the way you would any of these guys.” He waved his hand around at Cillian and Rowen.
Respecting Conall wasn’t about who he was, but what he’d done. Conall might not know it, but he’d changed the Company for the better. Over the years he’d been at Sloan’s side, he’d made us stronger and more united. Most didn’t want to admit it, because they liked to look at Conall as nothing more than the boss’s whore, but we all knew the truth. He gave something to this company that no one else had.
“Okay.” I smiled. “Having you there will distract us. Our main duty is to keep you and Sloan safe. If we go to this club with you, it’ll be our job to protect you.”
Conall rolled his eyes. “Do I look stupid?”
Cillian opened his mouth.
Conall gave him a sharp look, effectively cutting him off. “Sloan told me I could go to this club and that he trusted you to protect me, but I’ve been with him long enough to know what he’ll do. You won’t be alone guarding me. There’ll be other men, dressed to blend in, watching to make sure I’m safe.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. He was right. As much as Sloan trusted us, there was never enough protection when it came to Conall.
“So, you don’t have to worry aboutprotectingme. I’ll have enough of that.” He smiled and winked at Fallon. “And your boy over there has been teaching me a few things. I’m pretty fucking good at fighting with my fists.”
Fallon clapped his hands together. “Great. Does that mean I can go to the club, too?”
Conall winced. “No. Sloan’s impressed with what you’ve been teaching me, and he wants you to give some pointers to Lor.”
“Why?” Vail asked with a frown. “Does Lor have something to worry about?”
“No.” Conall didn’t sound very convincing. “But Sloan wants everyone prepared in case Reyes strikes.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Cillian said, though he still didn’t sound happy about it. “Maybe Fallon can teach Vail while he’s at it.”
Vail’s eyes lit up. “I would love to learn self-defense.”
Fallon laughed. “Sure, but if I get hard, it’s because of you. Not Lor. Just so you’re prepared.”
Vail’s gaze darkened and he chewed on his bottom lip. “I won’t mind.”
Conall snorted. “It’s time to get ready to leave.”
I couldn’t agree more. The sun was well past setting, and we knew Lions liked to get there early to stalk his prey and start drinking before all the pretty boys got to the club.
Once we’d put Fallon and Vail into the same car that Conall had come in, we sent them on their way with hard kisses. I hated that I couldn’t go with them because it would be hot to see Fallon roll around on a mat with Vail.
After they’d left, we all got into Rowen’s car, packed in with Cillian and Rowen in the front—Cillian driving this time—and me and Conall in back.
“So, how was Miami?” Conall asked halfway to the club. He had his fingers pressed against his collar, playing with it like he sometimes did. It was adorable, and I didn’t think he realized he was doing it.
“Hot.” I winked. “Cillian got that experience firsthand.”
Cillian slammed his palm against the steering wheel. “For feck’s sake. So, I got sunburned? It fecking happens, don’t it?”
Conall laughed. “Don’t worry about it, Cillian. It happens to the best of us.” He licked his lips as he stared out the window. “The fun part is the aftercare. Did Aspen take care of it for you?”
Silence met his question.
My gut churned like a washing machine as I glanced toward the front of the car at Cillian, who kept his eyes firmly planted on the road. The tenseness grew thick, and Conall took note of the change in atmosphere because he glanced at me, then at the back of Cillian’s head with a thoughtful stare.
