I sat in my chair behind my desk, judging what this man was all about, but I wasn’t sure and I was losing patience. “You’re Finn’s uncle.” I leaned back and linked my fingers over my stomach.
He frowned at me and his gaze shot between me and Mercy.
Mercy grunted out a rare laugh and waved his hand toward me, snickering at Naoise. “Off you go then, mate. Go make your case against the boss. I’d like to see how long you last in that fight.”
Naoise cleared his throat and glared at Mercy, but he turned fully toward me and stiffened his spine. He stalked across the room and stopped in front of my desk, and I took a moment to study him. Even though he was only Finn’s uncle, they had very similar facial features. Their noses were alike, as were their chins, but the most significant resemblance was the red hair, vibrant against their pale skin.
He raised his chin to stare down at me, and I crossed my arms, pursing my mouth. I was lenient about a lot of things, but my men knew when they crossed a line. Naoise didn’t. He was a newcomer who’d entered my territory, and he wanted to take something—someone—from me who was mine. I wouldn’t let him. I would have him dragged out of Townsville and all of Australia if that was what it took to keep Finn here.
“Finn’s a good boy.” Naoise squared his shoulders and ran a hand over his suit like it was a comfort thing. I still didn’t understand why Killough’s men wore that clothing here. It was too hot, and their boss wasn’t around. “He came into the Company under my watch. I trained him to be a good lookout because that is how he is most useful. He’s naïve and soft—”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same man?” I interrupted, purposely cutting him off. I squinted at him. “Because the Finn I know is neither. He’s strong, battle-hardened, and brave. He is leadership material and he’s confident.”
Naoise faltered, mouth snapping closed in shock. He stared at me like a stunned mullet, and I used his silence to my advantage. I stood and strode around the desk, coming face-to-face with him, and he needed to tilt his head back to stare up at me.
“I understand you worry for him because he’s your blood and under your protection, but he’s mine now, and I will offer him the best security I have to give. I will put myself in the line of fire if that means keeping him safe.” Everything I said was the truth. I’d give my life if it kept him alive because without him, I had no heart. He possessed it like I owned him.
“You can’t.”
“I can’t?” I repeated, not sure I understood.
Naoise shot a glance at Mercy, then focused back on me. “You’re the boss. Our job is to keepyousafe. In this game of guns and territory, he doesn’t matter to your men or your allies. You can’t jump in front of a bullet for him because he’s supposed to do that for you.”
I considered Naoise carefully, taking note of his seriousness, but also the abject misery. I couldn’t decide if he was upset because he’d committed Finn to this life, or if he hated the idea of dying for a boss whose life was judged as worth more than his. Maybe both. But men who got into organized crime signed up for that commitment because they were paid a great deal for their loyalty. Money was king above all else.
“What about Killough’s pet? Would you die for him?” I asked seriously.
He nodded and found words. “Yes.”
“And would Killough die for him?”
He paused, glancing toward the floor in thought, but it was the only answer I needed.Yes, he would.
I stepped away from Naoise and walked over to my jellyfish tank, one of my hands clasping my wrist behind my back. My sweethearts bobbed in the water, no worries in their lives except for when their next meal was coming. They were the epitome of undisturbed, yet they were also one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. I strived to be like them—stress free yet deadly.
“Finn is mine. And I will care for him and love him and give him everything he needs to be happy.” I glanced over my shoulder at Naoise. “And you will accept that, and you will love him and care for him and give him happiness from afar as his uncle. You will give him the approval I’m sure he wants from you. From what I understand, what you think means a lot to him. So, let me be clear, Naoise.” I turned on my heel to face him completely, usingmyheight to cement my authority. “If you upset him in any way, shape, or form, I will throw you to the crocs. I don’t have pet crocs like I do my jellies, but I know where they live, and they know when they see me or my men, we bring food. Trust me,mate, it would beverypainful for you.”
He visibly swallowed and cringed. “Yes, sir. I apologize for my insubordination.” He bowed his head.
“Make sure you apologize to Killough as well. I don’t like him riding my arse because you’re riding his. Neither of us enjoy that kind of foreplay.” I smirked at him.
He exhaled loudly and nodded again. “Yes, sir.”
Mercy grunted in agreement, mouth twisted in displeasure as he stared at Naoise, but that was nothing new when it came to him. He hated the world.
I clapped my hands together and smiled. “Now that’s handled, we should get some tucker. I’m bloody starving.”
The door burst open, and Finn and his mum barreled through. Finn’s chest rose and fell rapidly, and irritation rushed me when I saw he wasn’t in one of his dresses like he’d been earlier. I didn’t care what he wore—hell, I would’ve preferred him naked if I had a choice—but I hated the idea that he was embarrassed to be himself. Being in a dress didn’t make him less of a man or mobster, and I liked him happy.
“Why did you get changed?” I shot his mum a dark stare.
“Uh.” Finn’s gaze dropped and he played with the hem of his T-shirt. His cheeks flushed a pretty pink and he glanced up from beneath long red lashes as he looked at his uncle. “I heard Uncle Naoise was in here.”
I huffed. “Yes, but so am I, and I just got back into the country.” I spread my arms. “Come here and give me some sugar, Lolly.”
Finn’s face lit up and he laughed, lurching toward me and throwing himself into my hug. I dragged him against my chest and grasped his chin, slanting my mouth over his in an urgent kiss. He moaned when I licked his lips, and I nipped at the bottom one playfully.
“I missed you,” I murmured against his supple mouth. “All I want to do is get you into the bedroom, into some of those pretty knickers of yours, and fuck you silly.”
