His Sovietnik ground out, “We are due to meet in four weeks’ time. They are erratic. They have no base that we have found. We will not be able to speak with them until they communicate with us. It has been that way for five years.”
Aidan grunted. “That’s a damn shame.” He sighed. “Well, the wait can’t be helped, but are we agreed that you’ll be helping us out, Antoni?”
Though it obviously pained him to say it, the Pakhan gritted out, “Da.”
It was the first step in a dance, but we’d made the first move, the first parry. That was how you did business with the Russians.
You made them your bitch.
❖
Aoife
“It’s too big, Finn.”
He clucked his tongue. “Don’t complain, Aoife. We both know you like it big.”
Despite myself, I had to giggle. My cheeks burned though because the assistant was watching us and I knew she’d heard what Finn had said. “Finn,” I hissed. “You’re incorrigible.”
He pressed a kiss to my lips. “I try.”
Rolling my eyes at him, I gnawed on my cheek as I stared down at the princess cut emerald that Finn swore was an exact match to my eyes. It was huge. So big I was terrified I’d lose it. “I don’t need it to be so big, Finn.”
“No? Well, I need everyone to know you’re mine.”
I huffed a breath. “I thought we’d already established I was getting a tattoo on my forehead with your name on it?”
A snicker escaped him. “Well, that’s a far cheaper option, but I decided against it. I love your creamy skin the way it is.”
That had my lips curving in a deep smile. “Okay, then. If you insist.”
“Oh, I do,” he teased, his eyes flaring wide as I reached up to kiss him in thanks. When I pulled back, we were both panting a little, and his tone was gruff when he turned to the assistant. “We’ll take it.” He handed her a debit card, she dealt with the transaction, and ten minutes later, we walked out with a three million dollar ring on my finger.
The price tag made me want to choke, but every time I’d tried to look at something that cost less, Finn had growled and dragged another expensive one down my finger. I mean I’d figured fifty grand was a hell of a lot to spend on an engagement ring, but every day I was reminded that the wealth Finn commanded was beyond insane.
Speaking of insane, when we stepped out of the jewelers, Aidan Sr. was standing there with Conor and Magdalena at his side.
“Aidan? What’s wrong?”
I heard the concern in his voice, and though I didn’t have to wonder why, I knew he was under more pressure than I’d imagined if he figured Aidan would bring Lena out when he, too, was on edge.
“Nothing,” the older man said, beaming a grin our way. Conor rolled his eyes, and I realized how alike the two of them looked. Finn, though he was definitely not family by blood, bore a striking resemblance, too—with their Black Irish locks, silky skin, and stark blue eyes, they were all handsome brutes.
Magdalena and I, by comparison, were everything they weren’t. The men were tall and lean, their bodies a weapon. Under their coats, guns bulged—even Conor who, I knew from what little Finn had mentioned, worked mostly behind a computer—and though they all wore expensive clothes, they still managed to look more dangerous than stylish.
Lena wore a simple white sheath dress that skimmed over her generous curves. Her hair was tied back in a loose chignon, and she had kitten heels that took her from five feet nothing to five-five nothing. She clutched a purse in one hand and Aidan’s arm with the other.
I, on the other hand, was not dressed appropriately for the occasion. My ring cost three million straight. My entire outfit cost three million and twenty bucks. Yup. My dress was Primark, a gauzy, floaty thing that I’d paired with ballet pumps and a denim jacket.
My wardrobe needed an overhaul if I wasn’t always going to feel like the poor relation.
“I wanted to go out for coffee with Aoife,” Lena declared, “and my husband and son decided I needed an escort.” She tutted. “You can come with us, but you’re not sitting at the same table.”
Her words were a decree, too. She meant it.
I had to hide my smile as Aidan shot her a mulish glower at which Conor, again, rolled his eyes.
Finn blinked at her statement. “That can be arranged.”
“Oh, I know it can,” she told him sweetly, and then she waved a hand my way. “Come on, Aoife. Leave the men to talk.”
Shooting Finn a grin when he grunted with displeasure at her dictate, I moved toward her. She detached herself from Aidan’s side, ignoring his grumble—I mean were all the men in the extended Donnelly clan this possessive?—and together, we walked down to the end of the street where there was a small coffee shop.
The men stuck close to us as we took a seat, but they did take their own table a few feet away. From this angle, they could hear us, and we could hear them. That was why when Conor stated, “I swear, you two are so pussy-whipped,” Lena called out, “Better to have a pussy than no pussy at all.”
Conor glowered at her. “I have girlfriends.”
“Imaginary ones,” Lena retorted sweetly. “Let’s face it, sweet boy, you can’t get laid by a computer.”
Conor ground his teeth but apparently, decided not to engage in open battle across a coffee shop. I smirked at Lena who beamed a self-satisfied grin at me.
“There, now they’ll know to keep their voices low and won’t be interested in what we have to say.”
I tilted my head at her. “You manage them very well, don’t you?”
She busied herself by picking up the menu. “I wouldn’t say so.”
“I would.” I snorted when she looked at me from under her lashes, amusement brimming in her wide hazel eyes.
“It takes practice,” she admitted, tapping her nose with her finger. “They’re all stubborn, but eventually, you can wrangle most things out of them. Just know what you want, don’t waver, and aim for it like you’re a heat-seeking missile.”
Her comment made me wonder if she knew Finn had asked me to reconsider opening the bakery. “I didn’t waver, Lena.”
“Whatever do you mean, child?” she questioned, but I hadn’t been mistaken.
“You know what I’m talking about. Finn told me there’s too much danger to have a storefront at the moment. I heeded his caution.”
Lena’s head tilted to the side in surprise. “He told you that?” She frowned as she looked at her husband. “What else did he say?”
“Not a lot,” I stated, uneasy now. Hadn’t Aidan told her of the threat the Colombians posed?
She tutted. “He tells me nothing.”
“There isn’t much to know,” I replied honestly. It wasn’t like Finn had spilled the beans to me. What I knew was incidental mostly. “But the bakery is only on hiatus. Just until things calm down.”
Though she nodded, she narrowed her eyes at me. “Aoife’s an unusual name, isn’t it?”
“I suppose,” I replied, surprised where she’d taken the conversation.
“For these parts, I mean. And with Keegan, it’s even rarer.” She pursed her lips and cut me a look that said ‘this isn’t over’ when the waitress came to take our order.
“Hardly rare,” was all I said.
“Did you know Finn ran away from home?”
My heart stuttered in my chest. “He never mentioned it.”
“No, he never does. But did you know, Aoife?”
“Why would I?” I rasped. “If he didn’t tell me, I mean.”
She clucked her tongue when the waitress reappeared, depositing our coffee in front of us. While Lena dosed her latte with sugar, I felt my heart sink to my stomach as she eventually commented, “Finn came to us a very troubled young man. I didn’t know his parents, but I know his father was one of our runners.”
My eyes flared wide at that. “He was?”
“You say that like you knew of him?” Lena cocked a brow at me, and once
again, my stomach felt loaded down with stones.
“I’m just surprised.”
She pursed her lips. “Well, I half believe he’s purposely shoved most of his memories of that time away. Stored them in a box in his head. He’s stubborn enough to do it,” she mumbled.
“He has nightmares,” I admitted, not sure why I made the admission except that Lena was obviously in mother hen mode. How could I blame her for protecting Finn? For looking out for him?
“He does?” In her eyes, I saw her sorrow, and she sighed heavily.
Her love for Finn obviously ran true, and I was glad he’d had her in his life. He’d left a mother behind who’d adored him, but for whatever reason, that hadn’t been enough to keep him home. “I’d hoped he’d have grown out of them now.”
“They don’t happen often,” I told her, my voice a rasp. “But he’s scared in them.”
“I imagine. What his father did to him…” Her nostrils flared. “He won’t speak of that time with you, Aoife, but I will. Not to unman him, because I know how these boys are. All pride and ego. I only found out from Aidan because I was worried about his night terrors, but if you’re out to hurt him, I’ll hurt you first. The boy’s been hurt enough–”
“Hurt him?” I squeaked. “The reason we met, Lena, is because he was trying to extort me into bed with him. In this relationship, Finn’s the one who you should be warning.”
“Extort you into bed?” she sputtered, then she fiddled with her earring as a sheepish look etched itself onto her features. “Well, at least I know you didn’t machinate your way into his life.”
I snorted. “No, Lena, I did not.”
“Still, why haven’t you told him who you are?”
“Who am I?” I whispered, suddenly grateful that the café was noisy. Finn couldn’t hear this conversation, and I didn’t want him to.
“Your mother and his were best friends, weren’t they?” She snorted. “Not that she was much of a mother to him.”
“What do you mean?” I cried, then, aware of how loud my voice was, I bit out, “Fiona loved him. She mourned him until the day she died.”
“You love a child, you protect him. Fiona never did that.”
Stung, I leaned forward and ground out, “What did you know about her? Nothing, that’s what. You just stole her son from her! She thought he was dead.”
“That was how Finn wanted it,” Lena retorted with a sniff.
“He was a boy! You should never have allowed him to make that decision.” My heart ached for Fiona who’d been so goddamn heartbroken. Every day praying, every day her hopes dashed. “My mom used to say she died early because of Finn.”
“She died early because she was ashamed. That woman should have made her knees bleed as she tried to atone for her sins.”
I scowled at her. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You were a child,” Lena conceded, “I know that. You wouldn’t have been aware of the inferences.”
My throat thickened as I recalled something that always put me on edge. “I know her husband beat her. I remember seeing her with bruises and asking my mom why that was.”
“Her husband,” Lena retorted. “The bastard. And you think he left Finn alone, do you? Just focused his fists on his wife?”
A lump formed in my throat. “Oh.”
“Yes. Oh. And I can tell you, that bastard did more than just hit Finn.” She firmed her chin. “He ran from home, was on the streets. Only the fact that he was friends with my boys saved him. They encouraged him to come home with them, and when I saw the poor wee man, my heart bled for him.”
“He abused him?” I whispered, my eyes welling with tears.
“Aye. He did. And she didn’t stop it, Aoife.” Lena took a deep sip of her coffee. “Are you here for some kind of revenge?”
“Revenge?” I shrieked. “Lena, he dragged me into this world. I was quite happy with my tea room, safe and single and bored. So damn bored,” I admitted. “But he most definitely brought me into his sphere, not the other way around.”
She pursed her lips, and I felt her judging me. With each sweep of her gaze upon my face, it was like she was scanning my words and my expression for the truth. I’d admit to sagging with relief when she informed me, “I liked you when you came to dinner the other day, and it will be a pleasure to have you around my place more often.
“Finn’s needed someone like you for a while. You’re very calming, and he runs himself ragged. I saw how he responded to you, how you eased him, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for him. But I had to make sure that you weren’t out to hurt him.”
I swallowed thickly. “Lena, I would never do—” Because I was at a loss for words, I blew out a shaky breath. “Look, I haven’t raised the topic with him because I didn’t know what to say. The minute he walked into my tea room and introduced himself, I knew who he was, and I couldn’t believe it because Fiona grieved for him, Lena. She was heartsick.”
“I won’t feel sorry for her,” Lena retorted. “I can’t. It’s not in me. It didn’t happen just once, Aoife, and I can’t tell you how hard I worked to drag that fact out of Aidan, and how long it took for him to get Finn to talk. What she allowed to happen . . . a mother would be heartsick.”
My hand came up to cup my throat. “I-I don’t know what to say. I just know that I . . . well, there isn’t anything to talk about with Finn. That’s why I haven’t mentioned it. Fiona died a long time ago, and she’s in the past. I knew her, and I knew Finn when I was two. The little insight I have into him comes from her, and that doesn’t tell me much about the man himself.”
“Will you make my boy happy?”
The quiet question had tears pricking my eyes again. “To the best of my ability. But I’m not perfect. I make mistakes, too. And I’m certain Finn will piss me off and we’ll fight. I promise that I won’t hurt him, not intentionally.”
A smile crested Lena’s lips. “That’s a good, strong answer.”
“It is?” I asked, totally confused.
“It is.” She rubbed her hands together. “He doesn’t need a woman who’ll quiver when he says boo.”
Well, I quivered when he said dirty things, but boo certainly didn’t get me hot.
“Well, that’s okay then because I’m not afraid of him. The Five Points? I’m afraid of them.”
“That’s wise of you, dearie,” Lena muttered. “I’m not a fan of them myself, but that’s not our place to question.” She tilted her head to the side as she studied me, and in the crowded coffee shop, I suddenly felt hot. It was autumn, not exactly warm, but the way the place was set up, with plush sofas and armchairs, all in warm colors, and under Lena’s spotlight, I felt overheated to the point I could feel sweat gather at the bottom of my spine.
“What is it?” I croaked, aware I was more cautious around her than I was Finn.
“There’ll be women,” she stated, her tone sad. “They’ll come onto him. He won’t be able to help himself.”
My mouth gaped at her. “There’d better not be.”
“I wish I could agree, but I can’t. Just . . . be aware and then you won’t be hurt.”
I heard her resigned tone, and for a second, I couldn’t reconcile the possessive way Aidan held Lena, with the notion that he’d cheated on her.
I couldn’t imagine Finn cheating on me. Not because I was stupid, but because what we had together was so explosive, it surprised even him. Which told me I was the best he’d ever had. And yeah, that made me preen, I wasn’t about to lie.
Still, marriage was for a long time, and we’d only been together a short while. Life got in the way, and things happened that no one could foresee. Though I appreciated her warning, I took it with a grain of salt. I wasn’t about to condemn him before he even left the starting gate.
She patted my hand, maybe sensing my rejection of her words, and asked, “Aidan tells me you’re seeing the priest tomorrow.”
“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve been to chu
rch.”
When she rolled her eyes, I hid a laugh. “I’m not as ardent as Aidan, so I won’t judge. It’s enough for me that you’re Catholic, but not for Aidan. The Church is… Well, we all need a crutch, and his is our Lord and Savior. Doyle will make you pay for not having gone to confession. Just be warned when he doles out the Hail Marys like they’re going out of fashion.”
And there was the voice of someone who’d been on the receiving end of such treatment.
I wanted to like Lena. Back at her place, this Sunday, I had. She’d invited me to her kitchen, and together, we’d cooked. Though she’d put me on edge with this discussion, could I blame her? She wanted the best for a man she considered to be her sixth son. Wouldn’t I do the same to protect my child? Yeah, I damn well would.
Still, I needed to know. “Will you say anything to him about my knowing his mom?”
She smiled at me. “No. You passed my test, so that’s the end of it as far as I’m concerned.”
I’d never know what Fiona had or hadn’t done. I’d never know how much she’d known about Finn’s suffering. A part of me couldn’t reconcile this knowledge with the woman I knew, but Lena wasn’t bullshitting me. And I’d heard Finn’s nightmares for myself. I’d thought they were centered around the crap he’d had to do as a Pointer, but now that I knew this? It was an insight into the man I was going to marry.
Having loved Fiona, it hurt me to think she’d been aware of what her husband had done to Finn and hadn’t stopped him, but there was nothing I could do to change what was done to him in the past.
I couldn’t take his pain away, nor could I make things better.
But, I was Finn’s future, and I fully intended on making a brighter path for us both, one that would enable him to let go of the past and hopefully drag him from the shadows and toward the light.
Chapter Fourteen
Finn
Father Doyle stared at me over his glasses. “This is very fast, Finn, my child. Do you have something to confess?”
Screw You: A Screwed Duet (Five Points, Hell's Kitchen Book 1) Page 18