“Sup. You look surprisingly happy.”
“Oh, I am the happiest man right now.” He turns his head to look at me. “I slayed the dragon.”
He takes off into traffic, driving us out of Boston to a small town about forty minutes north. It’s close to where Ewen went to seminary school. We don’t really talk but that’s normal for us. We’ve always been comfortable with silence. A perk of being raised together. We never competed against one another. Were always told we’d run the family business alongside each other. I never wanted to be in charge, I just wanted to be the Reaper. But after everything I now know, we’re meant to conquer the world together as brothers.
Ciar parks in front of a cute little house with a white picket fence and blue shutters. The definition of suburban hell. I look around, confused, but don’t question anything. I know there has to be a reason for being here. He hops out and grabs a duffle bag from the trunk and leads the way up the sidewalk so I follow him. We stand side by side as he rings the doorbell. A cute younger woman with a very large baby bump opens the door. Her eyes pop with shock at seeing us. I have no idea who she is but based on her reaction she knows who we are.
“Geno!” she shouts over her shoulder, looking more afraid. So, that’s why we’re here. To meet with Geno. And it wasn’tplanned. A large hand wraps around the door before pulling it back to reveal himself. Geno Bianchi, the one who was supposed to take over the crew but went missing. I remember Ciaran telling me a couple months ago Geno knocked up a girl. I would put money on it that this is the chick.
Geno wraps an arm around her. “Go make some lunch. I’ll meet you in the back in a few.” He kisses her temple before she disappears into the house. He turns his attention back to us. “Well, if it’s not Ciaran O’Sullivan and Declan Murphy. What brings you here?”
He doesn’t open the door or invite us in. Rude but whatever. Ciaran lifts the bag. “Have a delivery for you. I don’t think you want these sweet neighbors of yours seeing it.”
Geno looks annoyed. He glances over our shoulders and sees there are in fact people out. Some doing yardwork, kids riding their bikes. All the prying eyes ready for a surprise. I still have no idea what’s in the bag, but I bet it’s something fun.
He grunts and steps back, motioning for us to come in. We step in and look around. The house is nice, if you like suburban décor. Beige and wicker, yuck.
We walk over to the couch and sit down like we’ve been here before. Ciaran drops the bag on the table and itthumpson impact. He leans back like he has zero concerns in the world.
Geno looks from the bag to us. “What do you want? And how the fuck did you find me?”
“We are here to talk about the Bianchi crew, and I found you because I am relentless. I can find anything I want in time.” He raises his arms, draping them over the back of the couch.
“I left. I gave up everything. Said fuck my father and his crew. I don’t want that life,” Geno says. He turns to look toward where the woman went. “I have a reason to leave. My brother can have it all.”
Ciaran clears his throat and Geno moves his attention back to him. “Well, how close were you to your brother?”
“Not at all. I hate him. I heard he was the one to kill our sweet sister.” Geno’s eyes grow sad while Ciar clenches his fists at the mention of Teresa. “He could be dead and I wouldn’t bat an eye. He’s a terrible person. Has been ever since he shot out of our mom.”
Ciaran holds his face to neutral but his jaw grinds. He’s reining in his anger. He stands and bends to open the duffle. “I have a present for you.” Reaching in he looks like a magician about to pull a rabbit from a hat.
It’s a rare day when Ciar surprises me. Raising his hand, fingers threaded through hair, holding up a very dead Enzo’s head. He cut his fucking head off. My Reaper wants to shout with excitement.
Geno freaks out and jumps up. “What the fuck are you doing?” He comes at Ciaran. I instantly stand and move closer. Nobody threatens my family.
“I needed you to know I got justice for Teresa. I don’t care about you leaving, I’m glad your crew will no longer be a stain in Boston.” He drops the head back into the bag, then puts his hands up to show Geno he means no harm. “I loved her. God’s honest truth. I never told her. That’ll be my burden to carry the rest of my days. But I wanted to see you today to see how you felt about things. I think we’re okay with each other. I’ll leave you alone for the rest of our lives as long as you do the same.”
I never thought I’d see the day that Ciaran not only admitted he loved her to anyone else but also offered a truce. Ciaran motions for Geno to sit like this is his house. Geno does and we follow, sitting and waiting with bated breath for what’s to come.
Geno finally breaks the silence. “I loved my sister too. Thank you for getting her killer. I promise you I will never betray your family. We’re good. I wish you guys all the best.”
Ciaran reaches over to shake hands. Geno accepts. A truce has been set in stone. “Now please leave and take that with you,” Geno says while eyeing the bag. “I don’t need others seeing that.”
“Gladly.” Ciaran stands and takes the bag and I shadow after him. I was only here to be a shadow. This was about Ciaran and Geno.
Geno walks us out. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you and Teresa never got your time together. She loved you as well. Fought our father on the arranged marriage.” Geno’s words stop Ciar in his tracks. He stands still, absorbing what he heard.
He turns back to Geno standing in the doorway. “She was too good for this world.” Both men nod in agreement.
We take off toward the car, and Ciaran drops the bag in the trunk. Once he slams it shut I stop him by bringing a hand down on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry you lost her.”
“Maybe one day I’ll be with her.” He looks up at the sky, hoping, I think, to be with her in Heaven.
He climbs in the car and I follow him. We don’t talk, but this time I feel it’s because he’s remembering his time with his love. A love he never got to tell how he felt. They never got to live a life together. My heart aches for him. I never thought I would love anyone. Not until Ewen. He made me want to love. To be the reason he smiles, to hold him when he has a bad day, to be the one he spends the rest of his life with so I can tell him until we’re old and gray how much I love him. To be deprived of that would be unbearable.
My phone alerts me that Fi and Caleb leave just before we get to our neighborhood. I don’t like the thought of Ewen being alone, but don’t dwell because I’m almost there.
Ciaran pulls up and parks in front of my house. “I’m happy everything worked out for you,” he says. He sounds sad. I’ve never wanted to hug him like I do right now.
