Be brave and follow your dreams, branch out and take that risk. You’re good at money, and stocks, you love that shit, running the Syndicate was never your thing, do what you want, because life is too short not too. Not to mention doing what you’re really good at, makes us a fuck tonne of money.
Your woman has a dream too, you know it and so do I…she’s gonna need your support, I purchased a small publishing company, and placed it in her name, Halliwell has the details and the deeds.
I wish that I could be there to witness you following a different path, starting a family and growing old with your soul mate. But I don’t think that’s my destiny, and I’ve made peace with that. Just know that I’ll always be with you in spirit.
I love you brother! Tell Lex I love her too, and to reach for the stars.
All my love Rory.
I throw letter on the table and wrap my arms around Lex, letting her sob into my chest. It takes everything in me to hold my shit together.
Nobody speaks for what seems like hours, the quiet sobs of the women and the scratch of Maddie’s pencil are the only noises that can be heard.
I feel sick, and stunned…he knew, he wasn’t going to be here, he knew he wasn’t going to survive. I hate that, I hate that the last few months of his life, he kept so much from us simply to protect us.
And I can’t help but wonder if he would still be alive now if we’d known, if he’d confided in us. I look up at Ma and she gives me a solid shake of her head, a look of understanding showing on her face, she knows exactly what’s going through my head right now. I look at my brothers and see the same look I have, they are wondering the same thing.
“Stop it,” Its quiet but commanding, we all turn to look at our ma cradling Finn’s baby boy. She looks down at him, a look of unconditional love, then she gives the same look to Maddie.
“I know what you boys are thinking and I’m telling you to stop it, right now. I miss him just as much as you do, but this was always his destiny, nothing and nobody could have changed that. So, stop it, stop wondering what you could have all done differently to change the outcome.” She places a small kiss on the baby’s head and hands him to Finn.
She’s right, we know she is, but it still doesn’t stop us from wondering the what ifs.
We all look up as Seamus stands, putting his hand out for Maddie to take. Ronan tenses, as Seamus puts a hand up in a move to indicate it’s all good. “I’m just going to grab everyone a drink and maybe makes us all some food, figured Maddie could help me while you guys have a few minutes to process.”
Ronan looks like he’s ready to pounce, he hates anyone near Maddie that isn’t us, but Liv places a hand on his arm and within seconds his posture changes and his shoulders drop, he looks up at Seamus and nods, just as Maddie walks up to him.
She wraps her arms around his neck and places a kiss on his cheek, “I just in kitchen, it’s OK.” And without another word heads off to the kitchen, Seamus silently follows her as we all laugh, that little girl is the boss of my brother.
Chapter 9
I’m tired, God am I fucking tired.
I have spent so long trying to find the information I need to confirm Da’s suspicions, about Uncle Michael, I’ve found links to indicate it, but no hard evidence as of yet.
I crack my neck and watch as Marcus heads toward me. “Sir, would you like a whiskey?”
“Yes, please Marcus, thank you.”
“I’ll be upfront if you need anything sir.” I watch as he pours three fingers of whiskey in my glass and then smiles and heads to the front of the plane.
We haven’t been in the air for long, which means I have several hours to do some research before I land in Ireland.
I reach for another one of my Da’s journals and flip to one of the many pages I’ve flagged and read so many times.
I heard Marco was in the country yesterday, I’m not sure why that vile fucking Italian is in the country now, the Syndicates and Clans voted against the trafficking ring he’s proposing.
We’re all happy to trade in weapons and even drugs but not skin, not women and children.
I can only assume he’s here to try and convince some of us to change our minds. He’s been in the country for more than twenty four hours, knowing that and not hearing from him, means he isn’t here to see me.
Paddy Murphy called me this morning, he has some people trying to figure out why he’s here, having Marco in the country has us all on edge. So here I sit, looking out of my office window into the garden where my family are enjoying themselves. We’ve only been in New York a few months, but knowing how much the kids miss Liam and Bernie I brought them all back with me, while I took care of some business.
I was hoping to start handing off some of the trips to Killian, but despite his dedication to me and his training, I know he’s not ready. He can’t lead… he still relies too heavily on his brothers. But to lead he’s going to have to learn that he’s at the top alone, it’s a solo seat, I know he loves his brothers, he has to learn the only person he can truly rely on when he is in charge is himself.
I down my glass of whiskey and hit the call button for Marcus, I need another drink.
I pull open my laptop and read through my emails. I have one from Niall Murphy, he’s been doing some digging into the O’Malley’s and the Doyle’s for me. Based on notes in my Da’s journals. It looks like Marco managed to sway the Doyle’s into the trafficking trade.
