Redemption: A Dark Irish Mafia Romance

by Faye Parker

  Yet I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d find a way to get Daniel involved in this mess.

  Chapter Ten

  Ellie

  Although I met Louise as planned on Monday, I still begged her to keep everything from Daniel. I could guess what he’d want to do. The Armstrong family had always been trouble, even as a youngster I knew to give their children them a wide berth at school.

  It didn't surprise me that an Armstrong ran a boxing club and gym in the slightest, what did surprise me was that it sounded like they'd cleaned up their act somewhat. With what I'd seen and the rumors I'd heard about their family as I grew up, I would have expected Daniel to have beaten the shit out of Denver without even thinking about it.

  They were the family that didn’t need an excuse to fight with someone else… I remembered one time when I was about ten that even my mother in her most drunken states learning the lesson everyone else seemed to know.

  I just didn’t need another guy in my life thinking he knew better. Especially not an Armstrong. They were too well known, too close to my past.

  “Mummy isn’t home yet and I’m the boss when she’s not here!" I screamed. "Now go to bed or I'll tell her you ate all her favorite biscuits." Ryan's face paled and tears welled in his tired eyes.

  “No, Katey! Mummy will be cross with Ryan.” He pouted. “Ryan doesn’t want to go into the naughty box again.” He lifted Fuzzy and held the tattered and smelly bear close for comfort and moving his little body away from the airing closet.

  “Well then, go to bed.” I tried to shoo him in the direction he should be going but he refused to move.

  “I’m hungry.” He whined.

  Damn.

  I knew he was hungry his tummy had been rumbling for an hour. The only thing left in the cupboard was some dry pasta and I wasn’t allowed to use the cooker.

  “If you go to bed I’ll go see if Mrs. Conway has locked her gate.” She always threw so much food out for the birds. Most of it was ok to eat but last time mummy found out I’d took some she called me a dirty thief and took her shoe to me. I just won’t get caught this time.

  “But…” I saw the fear in his eyes too. “It’s ok, Katey. I’m not that hungry.” His tummy growled again in defiance.

  I pulled him close, “Now, let’s get you into bed. I bet Fuzzy is tired.” I bent down and spoke into the bear’s only ear, “Fuzzy, are you tired? What’s that? You are? But you don’t want to go to bed on your own? What? Ok, I’ll ask him.” The sound of Ryan’s giggle as I talked with Fuzzy was the only warmth I had.

  “Ryan,” I said deliberately, “Fuzzy says he is tired, and he wants you to go up to bed with him. Just until he falls asleep.” He giggled.

  “Fuzzy can’t talk!”

  “Well, that’s what you think… he tells me things, you know.” I gave Ryan a knowing look and shot a dramatic wink to the tattered bear.

  “What things?” he asked, letting me walk him towards our bedroom.

  “Well, things like how much better he liked it when daddy was still here.” I pulled down the bed covers as he crawled in. “And how rumbly his tummy is.” I tickled the bear’s tummy and tucked Ryan in. He smiled. I reached for my school coat, draping it over the thin covers as usual. “And… that he’s glad we ate mummy’s biscuits that time!” I was rewarded with another sparkling giggle.

  I wished that Ryan had more reasons to laugh like that.

  I wished I had too.

  But I was ten now, and I had to be a grown up because he was my little brother and he depended on me.

  It only took a few minutes for Ryan to fall asleep. Once his breathing was deep and slow I slipped out of the room and tiptoed down the stairs and out into the space behind the flats.

  On tiptoes, I checked the flickering lights in Mrs. Conway’s ground floor flat bedroom window. She’d gone to bed and was watching TV. Her fence was easy to climb and as usual, the scraps are on her bird table, just waiting for me.

  Ryan was still asleep when I came back so I hid the scraps in my school bag for the next morning. We’d share them as I walked him to school before going to my own. I slipped into bed beside him, snuggling behind him for the heat we both would need on such a frosty night.

  It was still dark when I was awakened by her return home. This time, she wasn’t alone. I held my breath as I listened… a woman’s voice?

  I peeked through the crack in the door to seeing Veronica, mum’s drinking buddy dabbing mum’s face in the bathroom. “You know she’s an Armstrong, Kate, so why did you try it?”

  Mum slurred her response, “I dunn giva fuck… bitch wass tryin it awn wif Charlie.”

  Veronica, swayed as she stood. She was drunk but not in the stupor my mum was in. Veronica rinsed the cloth and kept dabbing at my mum’s eyebrow.

  “Yeah, I know. But he’s left you, he’s not yours anymore…” she eyed my mother cautiously, kneeling beside my mum who was slumped on the side of the bath. “They’re together, or at least from what I’ve heard.”

  The one and only image of my mother’s tears burned into my soul. Mum’s face crumpled as her shoulders bobbed and sobs wracked through her. “But I sstill luv-im.”

  The rest of the week at work was, thankfully, entirely uneventful… except for one phone call from Denver. His professional voice oozing over the phone. “I’m calling to confirm the file I requested.” I swallowed the bile that pooled in my mouth and listened. “So, my colleague, Barry will be meeting with you in Flanagan’s. I’ll confirm time in due process. Have it ready.” With that, he hung up.

  Ok, ok, it’s one file. One piece of paperwork… it’s not that big of a deal. Big companies like this loose more paperwork than that. And why try to even protect those guys?

  I assured myself that it was a once off, that I would apply for other jobs, any jobs, to get out of here. He won’t blackmail me again.

  I even thought that if the file was small enough and if I was quick I could make a photocopy of the file – give him the copy rather than the original, or maybe give him the original and hide the copy elsewhere.

  In truth, I didn’t really know what to do for the best.

  What I did know what that I’d give him the file. Why Louise is so uptight about this guy? Yes, he was greasy, yes, imagined himself as a big-shot, but what hold could he have over me once I left this place?

  Worst case was he’d share a video that wasn’t me and by the time he’d do that, I’d be gone from here anyway so that couldn’t hurt my job. He overstepped when he got physical in the kitchen that day, but my guard will not be down again - he wouldn’t get that chance to sneak up again.

  I didn’t believe he had the balls to actually attack me now. The pocket knife I had tucked into the side of my bra was my insurance… and I prayed to God I didn’t need it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ellie

  Mildred, my manager, arrived at work shortly after I did, which was a surprise since she was supposed to be on holiday leave for another few days.

  “I was about to go to sleep last night and I remembered that the McMasterson’s case needed signing off by the end of the month.” She smiled.

  It was nice to see her looking so relaxed, in the short time I’d been here, it seemed that she worked at warp speed so it was good to see that the dark bags under her eyes were somewhat faded today. I hoped she was enjoying family time.

  “I need a favor, though,” she peered at me over her reading glasses, “Can you pop round to their office, please? They have some paperwork waiting for us to process.”

  On the way back, I passed a deli and decided to grab a sandwich for lunchtime. I walked along with my sandwich in one hand and the large file in the other. I almost dropped both when I caught a glimpse of Daniel as I left the deli.

  He’s walking straight towards me, fuck!

  A flash of electricity zipped through me in excitement, and I instantly scolded myself - girl-code, even if Louise denies there's anything going on… but d
amn, that chiseled jaw, the slight stubble, and those smoldering grey-blue eyes. Jeeze, just looking into those eyes could get you into trouble.

  I would have bet those eyes alone managed to get a lot of girls into trouble over the years.

  I scrambled to think of something coherent to say but when we meet on the street, the words poured out before my mind had the chance to filter them. What I hadn’t seen on his face from afar was painfully clear at this closeness.

  “Oh my God, Daniel, what the fuck happened?!”

  His right eye was swollen and the skin was a curious shade of purple. His other cheek was reddened and I’m pretty sure he wasn’t holding his arm that way before.

  He laughed dryly, “Nice words for a lady.”

  “Jesus, are you ok?”

  I couldn’t breathe; I didn’t care what my words sounded like.

  Why did I feel so angry at seeing him like this?

  “I’m fine, it’s nothing.” He brushed my concern off like I brushed off compliments.

  He watched me, searching my face. I shivered knowing he was looking at me, but somehow, the fool I was, I wanted him to keep looking.

  “Not working in the office today?” he asked casually.

  “I’m on my way back now.”

  “Great,” he said, turning the opposite direction to what he had just been going, “I’ll walk with you.”

  I felt the air frizzle between us, I was suddenly nervous, and my mouth was dry. If only I’d bought some water in the deli too. As we walked, Daniel explained that the gym was going very well and that he was building on his MMA training. The gym was putting forward a couple of guys into competition soon and that he was sparring with them.

  He laughed, a sound that was deep and felt like home. He also promised that the other guy looked a lot worse than he did. I truly hoped he did but he was a brave guy to fight with Daniel.

  It was the first time we’d spoke more than a few words to each other, the first time we’d been alone together. In spite of myself, I had to admit I could see what attracted Louise to him. I wasn’t ready for a relationship, after what had happened before, but if I had met Daniel in six months’ time and he wasn’t secretly dating my work friend, then he would be exactly what I would look for.

  Tall, strong, very much an alpha, and that air surrounding him that told you he always got what he wanted. God help me, and I knew it was a betrayal to Louise, but a dark, deep and unsatisfied part of me wanted him to want me and not her.

  We reached the street corner beside the office too soon. He said his easy goodbyes and left me feeling giddy from being so close to him but also disappointed that after what had been a friendly conversation, he would obviously never see me as anything more than an acquaintance.

  Who was I kidding? He’d never see me as anything more than an acquaintance.

  Mildred disappeared with the Chester file as soon as I gave it to her and a few moments later my mobile phone pinged.

  I’m dying to share our little video… or did you get that folder?

  An unknown number and no name - and I needed neither. Denver had my personal number now. As a partner in the company that was entirely within his remit. It also meant he'd know my home address, be able to read my CV and see the faked references. Shit.

  I swallowed back any reactions and prayed that ignoring him would be the best course of action. At least until Mildred went home.

  At 4 o'clock Mildred popped a lever arch folder on my desk, her face etched with stress. "I need another favor… I really need to go. My daughter's waiting on me." A pained look crossed her face before she could hide it. "That's most of the final paperwork for the Chester file completed. Can you get this form signed by their CEO tomorrow then print the invoice, put a photocopy inside here and then put this back into the cabinet in my office - just use your key, and lock up again when you’re done.”

  No one would have questioned me being in Mildred’s office whilst she was off anyway, but I’d just been given a valid excuse for being there today. I would take the Chester file tomorrow.

  Chapter Twelve

  Daniel

  Meeting Ellie like that was an extremely pleasant surprise and one that was needed after the aches my body felt.

  I was in shape, so the problem had been my brain.

  The planned Kindred Sons training was starting in earnest and last night’s session had been heavy going: I wanted everyone to realize we’re not as ready as we should be. Six guys at a time in a boxing ring, the last one standing was the winner. Then the winners fought each other. I’d been distracted lately so I deserved the couple of swipes that came my way. I was pleased that no one pulled punches if they thought they had the opportunity to take me out - I certainly didn’t hold back with mine.

  They all ended up on their asses regardless. Every last one of them.

  I hadn’t liked lying to Ellie about it: hiding the one thing I am most proud to be. But the Kindred Sons don’t discuss internal affairs with anyone outside the Family. The MMA thing was a real thing anyway and was on the gym’s website so at least if she cared enough to look, she’d buy it.

  I went back to the business I needed to do, and by 4:30 I was finished up, so waited in the coffee shop around the corner from Sawyer’s until Louise arrived.

  “Thanks for agreeing to meet here, Daniel.” Her eyes darted around the room, “With Ellie spotting you that day in the post room and what with Denver being an asshole, I thought it was better to keep more of a low profile.”

  “I see your point," I said neutrally. Though I would have liked to have accidentally-on-purpose tried to bump into Ellie again.

  “Denver wouldn’t lower himself to come into a dive like this and Ellie doesn’t go home this way.” She sipped her coffee before continuing. “This’ll make you laugh…” she looked at me uncertainly, “Ellie thinks you’re my secret boyfriend.”

  I almost spat my coffee in her face, swallowing it instead.

  “Fuck off,” I said, shocked.

  “But you’re my cousin - what kind of sickos does she think we are?”

  “Duh, she doesn’t know that… idiot.”

  She shook her head. “Where’s your head anyway - you know that no one in there knows we’re related.”

  Shit. Of course, that’s where my head should have gone first.

  “Does it help us with her if she continues to think that?” I asked, praying that the answer might give me some idea of whether that was why Ellie clearly didn’t like me.

  “Why don’t I ask Aunt Jennifer if she’s happy for me to pretend to be your girlfriend?” she said sarcastically. “Pull your head out of your ass, Daniel. I’m undercover here; linking me publicly with you will not help - remember why I’m here?”

  I nodded, scratching at my stubble. If anyone else spoke to me like that, they’d be in a choke hold now but Louise was basically a little sister to me. Mum and I would stay at Louise’s mum’s every summer. Blood and Loyalty.

  Always Blood and Loyalty.

  "You don't fool me, you arse." She said, eyeing me skeptically. "I remember the way you were the last time you fell for a woman." She tapped my head, "Think with this for a while."

  We sat in silence for a moment as she watched the passers-by and drank her coffee. I could deny that I had feelings for Ellie, and I would deny it to any other person. With Louise, I just wouldn’t broach the subject at all.

  She leaned in closer, an action I instantly mirrored, knowing she had something important to say. “I’m certain that he’s targeting her.” Her hushed tones turned serious, “I’m reckoning she has another couple of weeks before she disappears too - if we don’t keep an eye out… a proper eye out for her.”

  “Like Cassie?” I asked, as quietly as I could, forcing my voice to say her name. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself together. This would not happen again. She reached her hand over to mine, giving it a quick squeeze before taking it away again.

  “Let me protect her, I’ve al
ready made friends with her - I think she trusts me now.”

  I looked at Louise, her small frame belied the assassin she was trained to be. She looked like a gym-bunny rather than the mafia trained undercover agent she really was. The fierceness in her eyes now was the only thing that gave her away.

  Give her a handgun or try to fight her and you’d quickly change your mind.

  I stood, needing to move and to break the eye contact, “Do what you need to do, Louise. I want daily updates and immediate texts about anything you think is important. If Denver so much as blinks the wrong way anywhere near her, you have my go-ahead to take whatever means necessary.”

  Her eyes widened in shock as she looked up at me. I cut her off before she was able to speak. “Yes, that’s an order. You follow your orders, if anything happens, I’ll deal with the fallout.”

  I tapped her on the shoulder, I needed to get out of this coffee house, it was suddenly too small. "Whatever means necessary," I repeated. "Take any protective action… keep safe, Lu-bell."

  I wandered the neighborhood for a while before going back to my car. Somehow I found myself standing at the riverside near where Cassie's body was found. Her family had placed a little plaque on the railings in her memory. It had been three years since her death and by the looks of it, they still brought fresh flowers.

  Cassie, the woman I thought I could love.

  Except, a few hours before she disappeared I found out she hadn’t felt the same. I couldn’t prove what had happened after that, but I was certain Denver and his bitch had been involved.

  Our relationship may have been brief, but it was no secret: the Kindred Sons and even the Doyle's knew we were together. My father had warned me that something didn't seem legit about her. I had just enjoyed six weeks of non-stop, mind-blowing sex. But I guess she'd expected more, even in that short time. Probably diamonds, fancy clothes and long-haul holidays. Fuck knows that when I think back, she had continually dropped hints about things she'd wanted me to buy.