“I’m sorry, how should I talk to you? Because right now I look like a fucking idiot. And you want me to kiss your arse?” He sniffed. “No thanks.”
“You knew that we had operations in Ireland and I told you how we ran business there. I gave you the information you needed. Who controlled that part of our Company didn’t matter at the time.” I pressed my fingers harder into my forehead, theache growing worse. “Pet, I didn’t expect this to happen, and my cousins didn’t get permission to travel here. Call Edward—Eddie—and let him know they’re in the Hamptons.”
“I thought you only had Fionn left. I knew you had distant cousins, like Orin, and the ones over in Ireland like Ryan, but these new guys....They’re close relatives. Your actual cousins. Not third or fourth.”
I brushed my palm over my face and sighed. “Pet, listen to me, I told you what you needed to know. Ceallach and Orin are my distant cousins, but that has no importance to our business. They don’t get special favors. They work hard like everyone else. It’s the same with Tiernan and his brothers. They’re cousins, but they mean nothing to me. They’re blood. That’s as far as our bond goes.”
Conall huffed quietly, and I waited. “I’ve been your pet for eight years. You should have told me.”
Ah. So that was the issue. “You’re angry.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
“Enough, Conall,” I snapped.
He inhaled sharply.
I groaned. “I’m sorry, Pet. Listen very carefully. I’m not close with anyone except Fionn. My sister calls sometimes, as you know, but we barely talk. She wants to stay away from the Company to keep her children and husband safe. And all the cousins I have over in Ireland are employees. Yes, they’re Killoughs, but that doesn’t mean a thing to me. You and Fionn are my family.”
He sighed. “I looked like an idiot.”
“I’m sorry. Don’t let them get the upper hand over you. Tiernan’s cunning.” My hand closed into a fist with the urge to protect my pet. But I was stuck here and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do. “He’s been loyal up until now and I have noreason to believe he’s here for revolt, but keep a close eye on them.”
“They wanted to stay here, but I told them they had to go to a hotel.”
I smirked. “That was a good decision.”
“I don’t like being surprised,” he muttered.
“I understand. Like I said, call Eddie and tell him they’re here.” I looked up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight with you, not while I’m in here.”
“Your cousin, Semen, was flirting with me.”
“Semen? Do you mean Senan?” I was caught between amusement and irritation. Of course Conall would come up with a ridiculous nickname for him. I wasn’t surprised about Senan, either. He was known for being a flirt, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to rip off his balls when I was released.
“Yeah, that’s what I said.”
I didn’t need to see him to hear the roll of his eyes in his tone. “And how did you respond?”
“The fuck do you think I did? I obviously told him to fuck off.”
I laughed loudly. “Oh, Pet. You are very special.”
“I know.” His pride slipped through with his words and a warmth spread through my chest. I loved this man. I truly did. It was a realization that didn’t suddenly hit me. I’d known for a while, felt it for even longer.
“I miss you.” I swallowed around a lump in my throat and stared across the office. Scratches were etched into the wall, almost like this had been a holding cell at one point and someone had tried to escape. “Where are you right now?”
“In our room. Why?” A playfulness returned to his voice, and I grinned. He knew where I was going with this.
“You know why. Get out the dildo of my cock, Pet. I want to hear you use it.” I leaned back in the chair and it creaked butdidn’t break on me, so I yanked down my pants and underwear until the waistband sat under my balls. “Do this for me.”
A small whimper came through the line and he cleared his throat. “Yes, Boss.” There was rustling and the sound of our closet doors opening, then closing. He grunted, and the bed creaked.
“What are you doing, Pet? Tell me.” I spat into my palm and wrapped my hand around my cock, giving it a firm squeeze as I closed my eyes and let my imagination run free.
“Getting naked.” A breathy laugh fell from his lips. “I still don’t forgive you, by the way. I’m horny, though.”
“Of course.” Affection slipped through with my words and I smiled, warmth spreading across my chest. “I’ll make it up to you.”
