Apparently, she’s not done. “Don’t you think it’s time that you think about settling down?”
“No,” I reply with a smirk. “Tried that once, and it didn’t turn out so well. I didn’t get where I am today by repeating mistakes.”
“Éabha loved you,” Mam says softly.
No. She loved the person I was before I had blood on my hands. She loved the boy I was. As soon as she discovered the monster beneath, she tucked her tail and ran into the arms of the nearest drug dealer. She got the shit kicked out of her, and I had to go and kill him to protect her. And what thanks did I get? I caught her riding a fucking garda in the back of his car on her way back from her hearing.
That’s what I get for waiting for her.
Never again.
No, women are too much trouble to be anything other than temporary distractions. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way.
My phone dings again; the price on Sullivan’s head has just doubled.
We pull up to a bit of traffic, and I grab my phone from the holder. “I think. The fuck. Not.” And send.
“Do you need to go back to work?” Mam asks with afurrowed brow.
“Not at all,” I reply, shaking my head. “I have staff for a reason; they can handle things without me or find another job.”
Green means go, arsehole!
Mam turns in her seat, getting a better angle to look at me. “You need a holiday.”
I need to get my dick sucked. Maybe I’ll give Tracy a shout later? She’s usually up for a good time. Fun for her. Necessary stress relief for me.
I stretch my neck, giving my mother a sidelong glance. “Too busy, maybe during the summer.”
“When was the last time you took a holiday?”
Eh, when I was about seventeen.
“It hasn’t been that long,” I insist, indicating to turn right at the upcoming intersection. “I’ve just been focused on work, that’s all.”
My phone dings again. The good auld Barrister is fetching 180k. That’s more like it.
I hit the brakes, narrowly missing the wanker trying to pull out of their space without looking.
“For fuck’s sake, mate, you’re not driving a tank! I could fit a double-decker bus in there!”
“Aiden!”
“Me?” I point to myself. “What did I do? Do you not see this fucking moron? Oh my God! If you side-swipe me car—” I’m halfway out the door with my mother clawing at my arm, trying to keep me from getting out.
I swear there’s a bullet with this prick’s name on it.
The driver buzzes down their window to give me lip; only then does he see my face. It takes a few seconds for him toregister who I am, but I see the second it clicks. His face turns pale, and he quickly rolls up his window, giving me an apologetic wave before speeding off.
“Yeah, you want to run before I mow you down.” I slam the car door behind me as I slide back into my seat. “Fucking cunt.”
“Aiden James Quinn!”
“You grew up in Ballyer; don’t start!” I snap, clicking my seatbelt into place and heading for Deville’s.
My phone dings again with an Eircode. “Deville’s.” I grin; this is perfect. I can bring my mother for lunch and take care of a job all in one go. Two birds, one stone.
“Next right, love.” Mam nods, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
