“Feck,” he whispers, “Kara’s too young, and I don’t want my sisters sold off like cattle. We’re working on getting them out but it’s taking time weeding the fuckheads out and cutting off heads one at a time.”
“Not being funny my friend, but you’re going to have to step your timeline up. But-” I pause and consider my next words, “I told Uncle Sean that they could stay in the house over the road frommine if I didn’t find any scut on them. So far, I haven’t. As a favour, I’ll keep an eye on them and let you know my thoughts when they arrive.”
Tension eases from his shoulders, “Thanks Butcher.”
“Don’t mention it. Get the girls out Aiden. I don’t care how… but you get them out.”
“I will,” he promises me. I look sceptically at him. “I will, we already have a plan,” he says firmly.
“Good,” I clap his shoulder, “If you need help, reach out. Now was there anything else?”
“Aye,” he replies, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a file, “I know there’s not much time, but can you deal with this guy? You’ll see why when you get a load of the pictures.”
I clench my jaw in anger when I see them before exploding. “Jesus fucking Christ! What the feck is wrong with this world?! I’ll do this one for free Aide.”
“Thank you, my friend. I couldn’t look his parents in the eyes if that sick feck got off scott-free to do it again. I hate our justice system, Butcher.”
“Me to Aide, me too. Rest assured he won’t be doing it again, but we do need to have a discussion about the business.”
“You want out?” Aiden guesses.
“I do,” I agree, “I can’t keep leaving my girls only to go back to them with blood from the filth we execute on my hands.”
Aiden eyes me with surprise, mouth slightly agape before he snaps it shut. “You’ve made a move. About bloody time.”
Embarrassed, I rub a hand over the back of my neck, “Only tonight, it’s new. I don’t want this world touching them, Aide. They’re pure sunshine and goodness, and this world is dark. I don’t ever want their light to diminish because of it.”
“No need to explain Butcher. I get it. If I had a woman like yours, I’d do the same. I’ve got someone in mind, but you’ll have to train him to clean. Killing he can do but cleaning I’m not sure on.”
“I can do that, or you can put cleaners on the pay roll.”
“You know trustworthy ones? You’ve always done it all yourself.”
“That’s because I have trust issues,” I snigger, “and I like my own company. But yes, I do know cleaners we can trust. Let me finish this job then we can discuss it again when there’s not so much riding on our decisions. Maybe we can meet somewhere that smells better.”
Aiden laughs and I’m happy to see he’s not looking so worn down and exhausted.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he promises, turning to walk away. I watch him scanning around us, making sure there’s nobodyaround that shouldn’t be. I know he’ll have brought one of his men but as I’d introduced him to them, I knew what they were like and what made them tick. He’s only gone ten steps when he turns back around and stares at me, surprising me with the next words he utters, “Thank you Andy. You’re a good friend, and I hope your lady knows how lucky she is to have you in her corner.” He waves a hand, turns on his heel and slips into the darkness.
I rub a hand across my chest at the strange ache there. Like I said. The underworld is a strange place. You find brothers there when you least expect it.
But for now, I have to go and let my girls know I’ll be leaving again. I want this done before the Queens Wraiths arrive so that I can get the measure of them.
***
As expected, Mikayla pouted when I told her I’d be away for a few days. But Moira, mya chroí,the way she looked at me gutted me in a way I hadn’t expected.
“You’ll be careful, won’t you?” She looks at me, eyes wide and worried, arms folded over her waist as if she was hugging herself. I’m not sure why. I’ve never told her what I do, but she wasn’t stupid and working for us she’d have heard things.
Taking a chance, I enfold her in my arms, lowering my forehead to hers as I make her a promise, “I’ll be careful, and I’ll be back before you know it. The crew will be here later today.”
My heart stutters in my chest when her arms wrap around me, and I nearly miss her whispered words, “Kiss me, Andy.”
She used my name.
Emotion filled me. It had been years since I’d felt all consuming love for someone, but from the moment I’d caught sight of Moira, I’d known. She was mine. It wasn’t in me to deny her, not when she asked so sweetly using my given name. Not Butcher.
Cupping her cheeks, I tipped her face up with my thumbs, searching her eyes—but all I saw was trust and affection.
