Lachlan: A Dark Irish Mafia Romance (Dangerous Doms)

by Jane Henry

  My brother. Oh, God, my brother.

  I don’t even want to think about what he does.

  Lachlan’s eyes gentle as he approaches me. I’ve never seen him like this, in a starched white shirt and trousers, and I swear I’d lose my knickers all over again just staring at him. He places one finger under my chin and holds my gaze to his.

  “The men of the Clan don’t do what these men do, lass. Keenan holds us to a higher standard. And yes, we’re no angels. That you know. We’ve never pretended to be anything more than the criminals we are.”

  He states the truth baldly, with no apology, but the earnestness in his eyes somehow tells me he knows I’m ready to hear it now.

  “And yes, we’ve shielded you from some of the harsher, more violent things that we do. That all of us do, even Nolan and Keenan and Tiernan. But Fiona. The life at college isn’t a world apart, love. We’ve shielded you from those things so that you can still be who you’re meant to be. You’ve had to grow up so fast.” His eyes are pained when he shakes his head. “Don’t you understand? It’s precisely for this reason I never pursued you, never touched you. I knew it would happen, just this.”

  “What?” I ask, trying to understand. “You knew what would happen?”

  He sighs. “That by being with me, you’d lose the rest of your innocence.”

  My heart melts at that and I’m suddenly overcome with emotion. My throat is tight and my nose tingles.

  I will not cry.

  I need him to see me as strong and capable, not an emotional little moppet who needs the protection of a man. I lift my chin and stare him straight in the eyes.

  “No more, Lachlan.”

  He tips his head to the side. “No more what?”

  “No more deciding what I need for me.”

  He blinks and doesn’t respond. I go on. It’s on the very tip of my tongue to tell him I love him, but somehow, for some reason I can’t quite fathom, I need him to say those words first. And I need more than a few days of us being together before I can take that plunge. I know in my heart I love him, and I know in my heart he loves me.

  “I can’t help it, sweet girl,” he says. “I can no more stop myself from wanting to protect you than I can stop my heart from beating.”

  I shake my head. “That isn’t what I mean. You can protect me all you need to. I crave that as much as you do. I’ve never felt safer than I am with you.”

  He bends and kisses me so fiercely it takes my breath away. But when he stops, I continue. I’m not done. I have so much more to say.

  “I’ll even do what you tell me,” I say.

  He grins. “Sure you will. You’ll end up over my knee before the night is through.”

  “I mean mostly,” I say, brushing him off, and his shoulders shake with laughter. “That’s not what I’m talking about, Lachlan. I know that you’ve got my best interest in mind. I understand that now. But if you think you’re doing me a favor by leaving me to pine away for you, you’re wrong. So wrong. You don’t give me what I need by ignoring what’s between us. And don’t you even try to deny it.”

  “Feisty little one, she is,” he says approvingly, before he leans in and kisses my cheek. “You belong to me, Fiona Hurston. Don’t you ever forget that.”

  Chapter 12

  Lachlan

  I’ve known for a while how she feels about me, how I feel about her. And I’ve lied to myself when I believed that what she needed was distance from me.

  I thought she had to find her way, to chase her dreams, to make whatever her heart desires come to vivid fruition. I thought the only way for that to happen was for me to let her go.

  I was wrong. So fucking wrong.

  “Now, no more of this chatter,” I tell her with a teasing wink. She goes to stick her tongue out at me but seems to think better about it. “We’ve a lifetime to talk things out, lass. Tonight, we’ve got a job to do.”

  She nods her head. We leave our room and make sure no one’s followed us. Tiernan gave me the directions for where we’re to meet the men of the Boston mob tonight. He’ll introduce us.

  Admittedly, I don’t know much about the jobs he’s done here, except that he’s had something to do with the arms trade from Ballyhock and Boston. Our biggest moneymaker in Ballyhock is the illegal arms trade we conduct on the coast and he’s brought that here to Boston as well. But how does he know about their trafficking? How much does Keenan know?

  In Ireland, we have nothing to do with such things. In Boston, we may not have a choice.

  We take an Uber to a nearby bar that’s within walking distance of where we need to go tonight. Fiona’s shut off her phone and left it in the hotel. I’m glad. Tonight, she needs to forget who she is.

  Tiernan meets us outside the bar. I don’t miss the way a muscle twitches in his jaw when he sees his younger sister dressed in black, and the silver chain that goes from her wrist to my pocket.

  “Brother,” he says with a chin nod.

  “Y’alright?”

  “Aye,” he says. “Can’t say I’m a fan of my sister coming anywhere near these parts, and if I knew her coming to Boston would put her in this position, I’d never allowed it.”

  “Fuck off, Tiernan,” Fiona says, her eyes flashing at him. “You’re not in the position of allowing or disallowing anything, need I remind you.”

  I tug the chain on her wrist. “Behave yourself.” Her eyes go to me, still angry, but she clamps her lips shut and doesn’t talk back.

  Good girl.

  Tiernan looks at me then Fiona, then shakes his head. “Do you have any fucking idea where we’re going?” he hisses at her. She opens her mouth to speak, but I interrupt.

  “She does,” I tell him. “I’ve got this under control. She won’t do anything to endanger herself.” I lean in and whisper in her ear. “Unless you want my folded belt across your arse when I get you back tonight.”

  She looks suitably abashed and nods. “Just a little high strung is all.”

  “We’ll get you a drink when we get in there,” Tiernan says, then thinks twice about what he says and gives me a sidelong glance. “If that’s alright with you.”

  This is hard for him, too. He’s been the one who’s watched out for her all these years, and though I’m like a brother to him, he has to relinquish her safety to me.

  I nod. “Within reason, aye.” Maybe it’ll help her relax.

  Tiernan leads us to the door, and two large, muscled bouncers let us in.

  “Mr. Hurston,” one says, greeting Tiernan with a nod. “Calum is here tonight and would like to see you.”

  Tiernan nods and doesn’t reply. Fiona watches us, taking in every detail. She’s never seen her brother in his role as striker for the mob. She’s never seen me, either, and a part of me hopes she never does.

  We enter the dimly lit pub, and I’m aware of all eyes on us. Tiernan leads us past the throng at the bar, past the collection of circular tables in the main part of the bar, and toward the back where the population is more sparse. Several men in suits sit at long tables, and white-gloved waiters serve trays of appetizers and flutes of champagne.

  “Well, isn’t this posh,” Fiona mutters.

  Tiernan gives her a sidelong look. “You have no idea. This is only the anteroom.”

  She blinks in surprise but doesn’t respond.

  “Look at the floor,” I say to her in a harsh whisper. “Do not make eye contact with any of these men.” I squeeze her hand to emphasize my command. If ever there was a time when her obedience was crucial it’s now.

  Tiernan walks right past nearly everyone, going straight to the back where two men sit. They’re dressed impeccably in custom-made suits, but I can still see the markings of signature mob ink on their necks.

  “That’s the Chief, Calum,” Tiernan says. “They’ve procured a shipment today from Ballyhock, and they’re here to celebrate.”

  Fiona’s eyes widen. Tiernan’s jaw twitches. “Arms, Fiona. Not the other kind.”

&nb
sp; She relaxes but only a bit. Christ, I don’t like having her here, surrounded by so much depravity. If I had my way, I’d secret her away, bring her back to Ballyhock, and put a ring on her finger. Keenan would likely give us private residence in the McCarthy family home. I’d sleep peacefully at night knowing she was as secure as could be within the walls of our fortress, my brothers ready to defend until death.

  But tonight, I don’t have that luxury. I still need to earn my spurs.

  When we get closer, Fiona halts in her tracks. I place my hand on her arm and bring her along, but it isn’t until we’re within a yard from the men at the table that I see why she hesitated. Four women, stark naked, cuffed and gagged, sit on the floor by the men.

  Christ.

  “Hurston,” one of the men greets us. “You’ve brought us a tribute, have you?”

  My blood boils and my grip on Fiona tightens so hard she winces. I quake with the effort to control myself.

  “He’s testing your mettle, Lach,” Tiernan whispers. “He knows she’s yours.”

  “Brought a brother of the Clan,” Tiernan says with a forced laugh. “As if you need another woman by your feet, you manky bastard. You’ve only one fucking cock.”

  The man throws his head back and howls with laughter. Tiernan knows exactly how to manage him. Hell, I’m proud of the lad. He’s come into his own.

  “Calum, meet Lachlan McCarthy, McCarthy family Clan.”

  The men get to their feet when they hear the introduction. A sign of respect.

  “Lovely to meet you,” Calum says. “Any man of McCarthy Clan stock is a friend of ours.”

  Fiona shivers.

  When we draw nearer, he takes in every detail. The chain around her wrist, my teeth marks on her neck, the bright red places where I suckled her sweet, decadent skin. “She’s yours.”

  “Aye,” I say, my response immediate and harsh.

  Calum holds up his hands in surrender. “Now, no need to fear us,” he says. “We know a claimed woman when we see one.” He gives Fiona one appreciative look. “I will say, you’ve got good taste though.”

  My hands clench into fists, but I school myself.

  “Thanks very much.”

  “Have a seat, lad.”

  They gesture for us to sit and quickly get down to business. “Tell me what’s happened.”

  We tell them how Fiona’s come here for college, and how the guard we sent was murdered. I tell them how I came here with Keenan’s permission.

  Calum frowns. “Do you have anything to do with the O’Gregors?” Rival mafia.

  “We’ve had skirmishes with them, aye. But years ago, they paid their debts to us and relocated here, didn’t they?”

  “Aye,” Calum says. “I wondered if they had any reason to retaliate.”

  “None that I know of.”

  “Same,” Tiernan says.

  “And who’s the patriarch of your group?”

  “Keenan McCarthy.”

  “There’s none higher ranking?”

  “Not now, no.”

  “And his father was the late Seamus McCarthy, no?”

  “Aye.”

  We go through family history and I bring him up to speed. Finally, after a third pint of Guinness, he nods.

  “I’ve a few suspicions about who could be a threat to you,” he says. “And I can guarantee our protection and alliance. There will, of course, be a price.”

  My body tightens. Of course there will be, this I know well. Keenan’s given me an ample sum to pay and permission for trades as well.

  He eyes Fiona, and my jaw clenches. My fists form under the table where he can’t see, and I quickly take inventory of my weapons. I’ve got two handguns in a harness, a knife in my pocket and another in my boot. I could gut him dead before his body hit the floor. I’d pay for it, but it’d be worth it.

  “We’ll negotiate,” Tiernan says. “You know the McCarthy family won’t touch human trade, so that’s off the table.”

  Calum grins at me. “Drives a hard feckin’ bargain, this one does.”

  “Aye, he does.”

  “We’ll call Keenan. Negotiate our price.”

  “You can deal straight with us,” Tiernan says firmly.

  “Well, well, if he isn’t pushing even harder now.”

  I know that steely glint in his eye. I’ve seen lesser men than him pull a weapon when he got a look like that. He watches as I wrap my arm around Fiona’s neck and draw her closer to me.

  “Protection’s worth a hefty price,” I tell him.

  He eyes Fiona again, this time not bothering to mask the lust in his eyes. “Do all the McCarthy men have such young lasses in their keep?”

  “Some do,” I tell him. “Some don’t.”

  “And I’m guessing this one is clearly off the table.”

  “Yes,” Tiernan and I say in unison. My grip on her tightens.

  Calum swallows hard, then finally concedes with a nod. “Does she have any friends?”

  Fiona’s eyes go wide, and she opens her mouth to speak but I tug the little chain that binds her to me. She clamps her mouth shut.

  “I said that human negotiation was off the table,” Tiernan says with a sigh. He gets to his feet as if he’s about to leave. I follow suit. We face the door, as if we’re leaving, when Calum stops us.

  “Alright, then. No women for trade.” He sighs. “Tell me what else you have to offer.”

  As Tiernan outlines every option we have to trade, I sweep my eyes around the room. No one looks familiar, of course, but I’m noting something else. Fiona’s the only woman in the inner circle. All the other men are single, sitting around tables with pints and shots and glasses of whiskey. Why are there no women here?

  “Alright, we have a deal,” Calum says. “As long as you can promise me you’ve nothing to do with O’Gregor scum, and I have your word you’re born and bred McCarthy stock, you have a deal.”

  I shrug out of my suit coat and begin unbuttoning my dress shirt. Calum watches me, but Fiona’s gaze is just as keen. I shrug out of my shirt and fold it across my knees, flip my arm around, and bare my inked marks to him.

  “This here shows I’m McCarthy stock. You know any man who’d bear this mark without proper affiliation would die a painful death.”

  Calum looks on, and the man sitting next to him, who’s sat silently until now, nods.

  “Oh, aye,” he says. “It’s the mark, isn’t it?” He whistles. “What’s your heritage, lad?”

  I shrug my shirt back on as Fiona watches us in silence. “My father was cousin to Seamus McCarthy. When my parents died when I was just a baby, I was taken into the finishing school, raised to learn McCarthy Clan code.”

  “Good men, those McCarthys,” Calum says. He raises his pint. “We’ll drink to them!”

  We toast and drink, though the tension between us is thick. Moments after I finish a pint, a door to the back opens, and the lights dim. A hush goes over the crowd when a line of women walks on stage, clearly specifically here for our entertainment. Fiona’s mouth drops when she sees them, every one of them wearing nothing more than pretty tassels on their nipples.

  Her eyes come to mine, and I hold her gaze. “Look at me,” I say quietly. She obeys.

  “Come get a drink with me, Lach?” Tiernan says. I know he wants a word alone, when he jerks his chin toward the bar.

  “Aye,” I say, though I’m reluctant to leave her. “Come,” I say, giving her a tug, but Calum speaks up.

  “Ah, no women at the bar.” I look at him in surprise.

  “Really? Feckin’ Middle Ages, is it?”

  He grins. “In more ways than you know.”

  “She’ll be fine for a minute,” Tiernan says, clearly eager to talk with me about whatever he needs to. “Keep watch on her the whole time.” He grimaces and shoots daggers at me. “And any bloke that doesn’t see the bite marks and hickies you left all over my sister is a fucking fool.”

  I glare right back. “Bringing her in here unma
rked would be a hell of a lot worse and you know it.”

  I sigh and estimate the walk to the bar from the table.

  Behind the women come a line of men, fully clothed in tuxes, dancing their way around the women. One comes our way, swinging a cane as if he’s conducting an orchestra. When he sees Fiona, he walks straight toward her, but before he’s within striking distance, I’m in her space beside her. He takes one look at me and keeps on walking by.

  “Feckin’ hell,” I curse under my breath.

  “Oh, my,” Fiona says. “I have to use the bathroom, Lachlan.” She shoots Calum a look. “I suppose you have bathrooms for women, do you? Or are they not allowed there either?”

  “Fiona,” I say warningly, but Calum just throws his head back and laughs.

  “Ah, the feisty sort,” he says. “Figures she’s taken.” He shakes his head. “I love a mouthy one to punish.”

  Fiona shoots him a glare. I’m about ready to punish her right here, right now, if she doesn’t watch herself. “Close that mouth of yours,” I tell her in a voice I don’t bother to modulate. “Or you know exactly what will happen to you.”

  Calum grins. “And won’t I love to watch.”

  I lead her to the restrooms by the elbow. “Watch where you’re fucking going,” I tell her. “And keep that mouth in check or I’ll do it for you.”

  “Oh no, you bloody well will not,” she mutters. I don’t warn her, but swing her out in front of me and crack my hand straight across her arse. Her eyes widen, and she covers her rear, looking around to see who witnessed her mortifying correction.

  “Oh, they all saw,” I tell her. “And they’ll see more than that if you don’t behave yourself. Do you understand me?”

  She glares at me. In seconds I have her pinned against the wall, caging her in with my body, one arm flat against the wall next to her. I grab her chin in my hand and keep her gaze fixed on mine.

  “Enough.”

  I can tell she wants to kick me, but I won’t allow her to misbehave, not when there’s this much on the line.

  “That arsehole over there—”