“You’ll always be safe with me,” I murmured.
I reached over her body and picked up my cell phone. I laid down next to her and scrolled through my contacts. I found Thoman’s number and pulled up a text message, ready to send him my first assignment of the day.
Me: Thoman, get me extra security for Ciara. Whatever it takes. Money is no object. Get them to our home and standing around the perimeter by noon. At least three men.
I sent the message off and gazed up at the ceiling. I didn't want something to happen to Ciara while I was away with work. And I knew James would come after her again. My gut told me as such. He had already conspired with my mother. Worked with her to get Ciara away from me. I’d deal with her later.
No, deal with her now.
I looked over at Ciara and sighed. I didn’t want to leave her. I didn’t want to move. But I had to. I needed to. So long as I posted my private guard outside the front door, I’d feel okay leaving her. At least, with the promise that more security would be here by lunch. I kissed her one last time before slipping out of bed. I cleaned myself up and got ready for the day. I picked out my best suit. A dark gray Brooks’ Brother’s bespoke. A gift from Richard he sent me on my twenty-first birthday. It was fitting for the moment. Going to track down his wife to figure out why in the world she would betray the family like this.
Because I sure as hell couldn't call her my own mother right now.
I took one last look at Ciara before slipping out of the bedroom. With my phone in my hand, I dialed my mother’s number. Just to see if she’d pick up. It didn’t surprise me when she refused my call, though. She didn’t even let it ring. She shot it almost straight to voicemail after ringing twice.
You must think I’m an idiot, Fiona.
“Sir?” my guard asked.
“Stay here with Ciara. Keep watch over her. More men are expected promptly at noon. If they don’t arrive, call me immediately.”
“But, sir—”
“You have your orders. And don’t call me ‘sir.’”
“Declan, I need to—”
I spun around. “You need to what?”
He sighed. “Is she all right?”
I saw the worry in his face and my own softened.
“She’ll be bruised for a while. Her arm is going to take some time to heal. Help her if she needs anything, but don’t help too much.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“Remember, noon sharp. At least three other men are to show up. If they don’t? Call me immediately.”
“Yes, si—I mean, Declan.”
I grinned. “Good.”
I slipped out of the townhome and into the car waiting for me. My first stop was the Callaghan Family brownstone. And I grew worried when I didn’t find Fiona there. I headed to the country club to see if I could find her there. Possibly hanging out with and gossiping with the wives of the other families we were aligned with. Our families personally kept that damn thing going. We paid a great deal for people to turn their heads and look the other way. We paid even more for their discretion, too, if we needed to involve the country club in any of our affairs. I didn’t like that kind of work. If I wanted to involve outside parties in work, then I also wanted to vet them personally. Put them on a payroll instead of dealing with separate institutions.
Then again, it was the traditional argument of “old school” versus “new school.”
An argument that would always keep Richard and I up while sipping whiskey over civil conversations.
Seems people don’t have much of those anymore these days.
“Wait here. I’ll only be a few minutes,” I said.
“Yes, Declan. Should I be expecting another passenger?”
“If she’s here? Yes.”
I slipped out of the car and made my way into the country club. I nodded at the man attending the front desk. But Fiona was nowhere to be found. I walked into the wine bar and didn’t see any of them sitting around. I made my way out to the coffee house and couldn't find them either. And finally, even after finding the other women in the lunch hall enjoying finger goods, Fiona wasn’t there.
Where the hell could she have gone?
Had something happened to my mother?
I backtracked out of the country club and pulled out my cell phone. I slammed into the car and gave my driver the signal that told him to take me back to the family brownstone. And as I called up Brody, I braced myself.
“Tell me you found Mom,” he said.
“Put Gael on speaker,” I said.
The click of the phone before a door closing raked against my ears like nails on a chalkboard.
“All right, Declan. What's going on?” Gael asked.
“We need to make an official announcement to the other families,” I said.
“You’re not being serious,” Brody said.
“We have no evidence that Richard is—”
“Do you know where Mother is right now? Because I sure as hell don’t,” I said, cutting Gael off.
My brothers fell silent and I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“I know this is shit. I know it feels like we’re falling apart. But if we make the announcement and formalize the change-over, even if it is temporary, we’re going to look strong,” I said.
“Strong isn’t what we need right now. We need help,” Brody said.
“And I’m working on that. But right now? This family has been infiltrated. Twice. Richard is gone. Has been for days now. Mother is nowhere to be found after practically enacting treason,” I said.
“What are you talking about?” Gael asked.
I sighed. “It’s complicated, and I don’t have all the answers yet.”
“You want to tell us what you do have?” Brody asked.
“The short version? Mom worked with Daly last night to try and pay Ciara to run,” I said.
“I don’t believe that,” Gael said.
“You don’t have to believe anything you don’t want to. But I followed Ciara to that distillery last night. I heard it with my own ears. I heard Daly admit to working with mother to get Ciara away from us. She’s made a deal with the Devil, and I want to know why. You mean to tell me after that failed venture, her dropping off the map is no cause for concern? No cause for some sort of official statement?” I asked.
“What do you want the statement to say?” Brody asked.
“Come on,” Gael hissed.
“Get on the bandwagon or go back to Ireland, Gael. This is serious. This is what’s happening. This is what I’ve been fielding, and I haven’t even touched Martin’s challenge of my position yet,” I said.
“What the hell is going on with this family?” Brody asked.
“I don’t know. But everyone around us needs to know two things. One, that I’m the head of this family; and two, that Mom and Ciara are off limits. Period,” I said.
“Want us to add a little warning in there for good measure?” Gael asked
I sighed. “Glad to hear you’re on board. Yes, do that. Let them know that if any harm comes to any members of our family in any way, the Callaghan Family won’t stop until their extended family, their ancestors, and their ancestors’ ancestors are wiped from this earth. Got it?” I asked.
“Mass murder and mayhem. Got it,” Brody said.
“Gael, can you organize a meeting with all of the family patriarchs? Including Daly?” I asked.
“I can place calls, but Brody’s more apt at speaking with them,” he said.
“I can get that situated and Gael can deal with the threats. You know he’s better at that,” Brody said.
“Fine. Yes. Do it that way, then. And stay at the house. I’m less than five minutes out,” I said.
“I’ll start making contacts in the city. You want the meeting on neutral turf? Or ours?” Brody asked.
“I trust you. Do what you think is best,” I said.
“I’ll get to drafting the statement to be passed around,” Gael said.
; “I appreciate you guys. See you in a few,” I said.
17
Ciara
Declan: Meet me at the family brownstone. I have an important announcement. Then, we’ll go to dinner. I love you.
I smiled at the message as I read it, over and over. Those last three words made me heart flutter as I eased myself out of bed. My body still ached. I had slept in my sling and it hurt more than it did last night. But I still felt great. I looked over at my bedside table and saw a glass of water sitting along. And alongside it? What looked to be two pills sitting in a small clear cup.
I didn’t know what they were, so I messaged Declan back.
Me: I’m sorry I’ve slept the day away. Please forgive me. Do you know what these pills are?
I took a snapshot of it and it took me a little while to figure out how to send it in a text. But, once I finally got it attached, I sent it off to the love of my life.
Only for him to respond quick as lightning.
Declan: No need to apologize. You’re recuperating. I expected you to sleep. And yes, the doctor dropped those off just after lunch for you to help with pain management. I set them out for you. They’re safe. Take them. See you soon.
Okay. Good.
I took the pills and swallowed them down with the water. Then, I hoisted myself out of bed. I needed to clean myself up. Patch myself up. Put on some makeup and pick out a nice outfit. If Declan wanted to take me out to dinner, then that meant a nice dress. Maybe something that flattered my figure a bit.
You know, to give him a taste of what he’d get later on.
I grinned as I made my way into the bathroom. Cleaning up was hard with my arm practically immobile. But I got through it. A long, hot bath helped loosen up the aches and pains in my body. And once the mild pain medication kicked in, I felt like a new woman. I wrapped a towel around myself and walked through my closet. I rifted through the dresses that caught my eye before and reached for one in the back. It was crimson red, with a tight bodice and a high neckline. Sleeveless, with a black cloth belt wrapped around the waist and tied off into a bow in the back. And the soft falling of the silken fabric of the black and red skirt made me smile as I held it up to myself.
“Bingo,” I whispered.
I got changed and made sure to put on some decent makeup. Enough to cover the worst of my bruises, but not enough to completely hide them. I let my hair fall beyond my shoulders and I put on sparkling rubies to accent the color of the dress. And after finding a shade of lipstick that matched my ensemble, I was ready to go.
And my driver outside was waiting.
“Miss Daly,” he said.
He opened the door, but his words gave me pause.
“‘Ciara’ is fine. I no longer associate with my father or my family,” I said.
The driver nodded. “As you wish, Miss Ciara.”
I smiled. “Thank you. Can you take me to the family brownstone? I don’t want to be late for Declan.”
“Of course. And if I might be so bold, you look stunning.”
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
The driver shook his head. “As my wife would say, it’s the right amount of ‘pride and cover.’”
“What does that mean?”
He smiled. “As in, the dress shows you take pride in your body, but you also don’t show too much of it. My wife is a fan of outfits like that.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. Good. Because I’m definitely tired of the way my father used to dress me.”
I slipped into the car and away we went. Pulling away from the home we had created and driving to a place that never felt like home. I wasn’t sure what was going on at the house tonight, but there were several cars in the driveway. All with blacked-out windows. All with drivers waiting in the front seat.
And I even recognized one of them.
Father.
“Miss Ciara?”
I shook my head softly and saw my driver holding out his hand for me. And on the porch was Declan. Watching me with his hands behind his back and a grin on his face. I stepped out of the car and saw his gaze rake down my form. He licked his lips and I smiled at him, making my hips sway just a little deeper with every step. I loved the way he looked at me. The way his eyes sparkled whenever he set his sights on me. He came down the steps and offered me his arm, but his eyes never once left my face.
“You look breathtaking tonight,” he said.
“And you wore a red tie,” I said.
“I see you took your cues from the necklace.”
I fingered it. “You told me never to take it off. So, I didn’t.”
He kissed the top of my head. “My sweet girl.”
“Declan, is that my father’s car in the driveway?”
He walked he gingerly up the steps. “Where’s your arm brace?”
“I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to wear to something like this.”
We got to the stop of the steps and he stood in front of me. Staring down at me from beyond the tip of his nose.
“You will wear your arm brace until it’s better. Your health is more important than perceptions. Understood?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yes, my love.”
He grinned. “And secondly, it is your father’s car. But don’t worry. You’ll be by me the entire time and we’ll be surrounded by security. I have an announcement to make before we go celebrate said announcement.”
“Oh?”
He offered me his arm again. “Shall we?”
I smiled as I slipped my arm against his. And when the doors opened, we walked into the warm Callaghan brownstone. I expected to be greeted by Fiona. Or one of the brothers. But instead, we were greeted by no one. Nothing. Huh. That was odd. Declan ushered me down a long corridor to the left. To a door all the way at the end of the hallway. And when a massive bodyguard opened the door, the heat of the fire behind it fell against my face.
A fireplace room.
We walked inside and the first person I saw was Father. His shoulder was bandaged, and both of his eyes were bruised. Three men stood behind him, and one to the side. All of them, bearing the Callaghan Family Crest. Declan kissed the top of my head softly and I smiled, watching as my father’s lips turned down into a grimace. Oh, I liked disappointing him. I liked seeing him disapprove of actions that made me so fucking happy.
And as my eyes danced around the room, I saw more people I recognized.
I didn’t know all of their names, but I did recall their faces. Bob Fitzpatrick, from the dinner we had with him a while ago. The head of the Maguire Family. Oh, what was his name again? Shit. I mean, shoot?
No. Shit. You’re a grown woman. You’re no longer your father’s property.
Yes. Shit.
I couldn't recall their names.
I recognized the faces of family empires and the head of gangs my father worked with that roamed the streets. All of them sat in the room with their own form of protection, with Brody and Gael standing in the corner. I looked over and saw them standing with the man I recalled as “Uncle Martin.”
Though, the man really didn’t look happy.
“Thank you everyone for coming this evening. I hope the finger foods and libations helped you to settle in,” Declan said.
“What did you drag us in here for?” Father asked.
“Why don’t you listen and find out, Mr. Daly,” I said.
The room fell silent as my father glared at me. I looked up at Declan and saw him smiling broadly down at me. He winked, sending electricity shooting through my veins. Then, he turned his head back out toward the crowd.
“An official message crafted by my brother is going to hit the streets tomorrow morning. But I wanted the head of every organization my father worked with to hear it straight from me. From now on, the Callaghan Family is run by myself. Me. All transactions, all payments, and all debts go through myself, and no one else. No matter what they might tell you. Working with someone else for those kinds of things on behalf of the
Callaghan Family will result in consequences for all parties involved. You have been told by the mouth itself, and I expect it to be upheld,” he said.
I tried my best to keep my shock at bay as gasps trickled around the room.
“What the hell happened to Richard?” Fitzpatrick asked.
“What the fuck is going on?” Maguire growled.
“Is he dead?”
“Who killed Richard!?”
“I want their head on a fucking silver platter.”
Declan raised his hand and the room fell silent. Almost instantly. My god, I was so proud of him. Proud to be standing beside him and taking in this monumental moment.
Especially since Father looked as if he would have rather died than been there for it.
“The only thing you need to know about Richard right now is that he is no longer the head of this family. I am. And if anyone has an issue with that—”
I shivered as Declan pinned Uncle Martin with a glare. What the hell was that about?
“—they can take it up with me in a formal meeting they put on my schedule,” Declan finished.
Everyone continued yelling questions as the brothers stepped in. But I watched as Uncle Martin disappeared out the door. I whipped my gaze up to Declan and saw him watching, too. With his jaw tensing and his temples throbbing and his eyes imploring.
“Should you go after him?” I murmured softly.
His eyes fell to mine and he shook his head.
“I owe a beautiful woman dinner. He can be dealt with at a later time,” he said.
Then, as Brody and Gael took over the meeting, Declan ushered me out of the room.
Ready to whisk me away to whatever he had planned for dinner tonight.
18
Declan
“To the future,” I said.
I rose my glass and watched as the beautiful Ciara followed in stride.
Declan: The Callaghan Mafia #1 Page 13