“Aye, Harold. Be a good boy and go sit the fuck down,” I bite out.
“Cole,” Deja chides.
“Who the fuck do ye think ye are?”
“I’m her man. Not that I need to explain shit to you. Take your ass back to your table before I fold you and roll you back to it,” I growl, allowing my New York accent to come forward.
“We’d like to see ye try,” another asshole comes to help his friend as they stand here looking like they’re trying to intimidate me.
I roll my shoulders and crack my neck to the side. I didn’t get my workout in this morning. I have no problem doing it now.
I look them both over as a third joins them. I snort. They’re not small men.
However, I’m making it out of here without a problem. I can promise that. I plant my feet and stand firm as if I own the place. I’m the last person they’re going to intimidate.
“Guys, it’s okay. Ye can go back to yer seats. I’ll bring yer next round over in a bit, on me,” DJ says.
“Are ye sure?”
“Aye, I’m sure. Thanks, guys.”
I reach for her hand and lace my fingers with hers as we stand here waiting for these three to mind their own fucking business. There is an instant connection. My hand begins to warm and tingle as I hold hers.
Ignoring them, I look down at DJ, searching her face. She’s glancing up at me. Giving her a wink, I then squeeze her hand. A mix of lust and confusion crosses her face.
I dip in to peck her lips, wanting to deepen the kiss, but using restraint instead. She tugs her hand from mine and nods for me to follow her. I move closely behind her to block the view from anyone else other than me.
She laughs. “Really, Cole?”
“Brooklyn.”
“Huh?”
“Ya should get used to calling me Brooklyn. That’s what I answer to in America.”
“Are ya shitting me?”
“Ach, not at all. There’s a lot ya need to know before I take ya home.”
She stops in her tracks and turns to me. So many emotions are running across her face. I place a hand on her waist and search her eyes.
“Okay, ya can stay. I’ll listen to ya.”
“That’s my girl.”
CHAPTER 14
IDidn’t Know
Deja
We’re sittingin the pub after the place has closed, and everyone has gone home. Cole has helped me to clean up and set up for tomorrow—or should I say Brooklyn?
I was a little thrown when he asked me to call him that. I knew it was a nickname of his, but Kate told me he used it for business, not family.
I couldn’t help but feel like he was establishing the difference earlier. I’m no longer family, I’m an outsider. Or his presence here is strictly business.
“I didn’t know any of that,” I say as we sit in one of the booths in the back while he tells me that my uncle Donny was murdered around the same time as my da.
