Taking Risk Series

by Toni Aleo

  He doesn’t say anything for a moment and then waves me off. “Eh, shut up with ya.”

  I laugh as he goes on, “I’ll ask when I know that she meant what she said—that I was enough as just a malter. She’s gonna start school and make loads of money, while I’ll still make the same, ya know? So we’ll see.”

  I don’t like this side of Kane. The part that was damaged by his real ma. No one really knows that his ma ran out on his dad when he was four. Only I know because I watched it happen. She didn’t like the life they had, but there was no changing it. Then his da met Kane’s stepmom and she took Kane as her own. She was the ma he needed, but still, sometimes, this part of him comes out. I’m usually the insecure one he helps pick up; never are the roles reversed. But I guess some things don’t ever go away, and his real ma is someone that still rears her ugly head to hurt Kane.

  Clearing my throat, I say, “She’ll still love ya and you know it. She isn’t like your real ma, Kane. She isn’t going to run.”

  He nods. “She says that too.”

  Shocked, my eyes go wide as I hold his gaze. “You told her?”

  Kane doesn’t tell anyone about that. Maggie is his ma, and that’s all there is to it.

  Shaking my head, I say, “See, you know it’s true. You wouldn’t have told her that if you thought she had a foot out the door, yeah?”

  He shrugs again and bites his lips. “I was drunk when I told her.”

  I laugh. “Liar.”

  Kana laughs too but then stops when he looks over at me. “I love her and I pray she doesn’t leave me, but I know it could happen.”

  Holding his gaze, I say, “That’s the scary part about love. You’re all in and pray that they are too.”

  Kane nods. “Love expert now?”

  I smile. “Eh, fuck no. But I know that we both picked some top birds, for sure.”

  He smiles as he nods. “That’s the damn truth.”

  When my email dings, I look back at the computer and see that it’s an email from my da. “Fuck, guess my ma went straight to talk to my da.”

  “Really? Jeez, it’s not that big of a deal, I think,” is Kane’s opinion as I open the email. Reading it quickly, I find that I was wrong to assume what I did. It isn’t about what I discussed with my mom.

  It’s about my whiskey.

  “He approved it,” I whisper, shocked. I really don’t know why I am because I am about to own this company, but I thought I would have to wait to do it myself. I sent the email to get beta testing done on a whim, in hopes he’d agree.

  And he did.

  “What’d he say?”

  Looking over at Kane, a grin pulls at my lips as I say, “Cathmor is going into beta testing.”

  Kane’s face breaks into a grin as he exclaims, “Fuck yeah! Awesome, Declan, congrats!”

  I can only nod as I reread the email. I still can’t believe it, but it’s there, in black and white. Glancing back at Kane, I ask, “Wanna go to the pub?”

  Kane nods as he shares a knowing look. “Yeah, let’s go.”

  Standing up, I can’t wipe the grin off my face. Before, I would throw one back with Kane to celebrate, but there is now another person I need to make this moment a billion times better. The only person who matters.

  Amberlyn.

  Chapter 13

  Declan

  When the door slams behind me to the pub, my brows shoot up to my hairline, I’m sure. Standing before me is my fiancée, but not dressed the way she normally would be.

  “Don’t laugh,” she says, running her hands down the front of the flowy gold dress she wears. It has a big flower embellishing the front of it with sheer sleeves, and it’s very form-fitting. It’s something my mother and sister wear on the daily. Her hair is done very elegantly and her makeup done just as well. “Your sister sent it over,” she informs me when I am done drinking her in before meeting her gaze. Her eyes are not as bright as I like them to be, and I can tell she is completely uncomfortable.

  And then I remember that she has tea today with my sister, Ma, and the Fadmish ladies.

  “Love, I wouldn’t laugh ’cause there is nothing to laugh about. You’re beautiful, of course.”

  She makes a face, obviously not believing a word I say. “I look all old.”

  With my brows pulled together, confused, I ask, “Old? How?”

  “She thinks the dress is something an old lady would wear,” Fiona supplies.

  I nod as I close the distance between us. Taking her by her hips, I smile, kissing her nose. I don’t think that at all. She looks distinguished. Like an O’Callaghan, but cute as a button. With the heels she’s wearing, she’s as tall as me, and I enjoy it more than I’d like to admit. Kissing her nose again, I say, “You’re stunning, mo stór. Don’t think that.”

  She brings her lip between her teeth and shakes her head. “This isn’t me.”

  I smile, holding her chin in my thumb and hand. “Then go take it off. Go as you please.”

  She looks away as she lets out a breath. “I can’t. I can tell it cost money, and Lena called to make sure I liked it. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that I would never wear such old-looking stuff.”

  “I told her she looks nice. She fits the part of an O’Callaghan going for tea,” Fiona says, leaning on her hand as Kane drains a pint, the least bit entertained by my fiancée’s drama.

  Meeting Amberlyn’s gaze, I nod. “Ya do.”

  She looks down and lets out a breath. “So I should get used to this? Being dressed like this?”

  I lift her chin. “No, love, you pick your own clothes, design your own stuff. Don’t allow my sister or ma to do it for ya. Be you.”

  A smile pulls at her lips as she nods slowly. “But what about your mom?”

  “What about her? You are my fiancée. I want you to be comfortable.”

  She smiles shyly before wrapping her arms around my neck. She then kisses my jaw and the side of my mouth before saying against my lips, “I am now.”

  “Good,” I say, kissing her nose one more time. Then her cheek and her neck, before kissing her lobe. Softly, I whisper, “I’d love to peel this dress of ya.”

  She lets out a girlie giggle as her arms tighten around my neck. “I have tea with the Fadmish ladies in an hour. I need way more time to get ready.”

  I chuckle as I kiss her lips once more. “Rain check, then?”

  She laughs as her shoulders slump. “We are one big rain check,” she says sadly, and I hate that she is right. Also, that look on her face. The one of complete disappointment. I haven’t had a free moment with her, but I know that’ll all change once she moves in. Only a couple more days.

  Kissing her lips, I pull away and ask, “Are you packed to move in yet?”

  She shakes her head. “A little, but I haven’t told my aunt and uncle yet.”

  I set her with a look. “Think ya should, yeah?”

  She nods. “Yeah, I’ll get to it. Tomorrow, for sure, since I’ll be moving in Sunday.”

  “Yeah, I gotta tell them about me too,” Fiona says as my lips press against Amberlyn’s again.

  “Might want to wait a bit. Let her leaving die down,” Kane suggests as I cuddle Amberlyn into my side.

  Stroking her jaw with my thumb, I watch as she yanks at the sheer fabric on her shoulder and says, “It itches.”

  “Change then. I’ll tell my sister.”

  She waves me off. “No, I’m fine, but I’m picking my own clothes from now on.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I agree, kissing her temple. “Hey, why don’t I come over after tea, and we’ll have dinner with your aunt and uncle and tell them?”

  She eyes me. “You want to be there for that?”

  I smile. “Of course.”

  She grins back at me and nods. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  “Grand,” I say, kissing her temple once more as Kane stands up, raising his pint.

  “Fiona, love, get three more pints for me.”

  She
eyes him and asks, “Why?”

  “I want to make a toast.”

  “Okay, ya weirdo,” she mutters as she gets us all pints. Amberlyn looks at me questioningly, and I shrug as Kane clears his throat.

  “Okay!” Kane says with the biggest grin on his face. “My best mate, Declan O’Fucking-Callaghan is the shite. Not only is he about to marry the bird of his dreams—”

  “I really hate that you call me that,” Amberlyn says with a laugh. “I’m not a bird.”

  “Shh, you,” he says, laughing before raising his pint up more. “He is getting his distillery and things are going to be grand, but today we found out that his whiskey is going into beta testing, which is fucking awesome!”

  “Oh my God!” Amberlyn gasps, hugging me tightly. “That’s amazing, Declan. Congratulations!”

  She kisses my lips hard as Fiona cheers, “Fair play! That’s awesome, Declan.”

  I grin against Amberlyn’s lips and hug her tightly to me. It’s funny though. Because, out of all that Kane says, all I really care about is the fact that I am about to marry the bird of my dreams. I am extremely happy that the distillery is almost in my grasp and that my whiskey will soon be enjoyed by the world, but the most important thing, the one thing that gives meaning to my life, is that I’m about to marry Amberlyn.

  As I stare into her aquamarine eyes, I can see our whole life together. It will have ups and downs because she isn’t one to be strong-armed into something. Though I would never do that, I have a feeling she and my family will butt heads. Through the years, the men of my family have always married quiet women who were to accent them in public and reproduce. It has been drilled into me since birth to find a woman who will stand quietly and do as I say, but I never wanted that.

  I wanted someone like Amberlyn. Someone who will stand up for herself against me, or anyone else, for that matter. She isn’t a pushover, and I believe that all the pain and loss she has been on the receiving end of has made her tough as nails. Something she’ll need if she’s going to be my wife. It won’t be easy, but I believe that our love will overcome the obstacles that may arise. All we have to do is get through the next couple months. Once we are married, nothing else will matter. It will be her and me, and that’s it.

  As her eyes sparkle with love and pride, I know we have it all wrapped up. We are meant for each other. Two halves of a heart. My Amberlyn. Mo stór.

  “I am so proud of you,” she says, her fingers tickling the back of my neck.

  I smile as I brush my lips against hers. My cheeks burn with color. I don’t like the attention on me, but when I’m in her arms, I don’t have the desire to take off and run. I don’t want to be anywhere but where I am. Kissing her lips, I melt against her as she holds me tight.

  Backing away, she grins at me as I whisper, “Grand ’cause I want to be a man who you are proud of.”

  “Well, Mr. O’Callaghan, you have that in the bag.”

  “So do you, future Mrs. O’Callaghan.”

  Her lips curve as she leans into me, looking deep into my eyes. “I love the sound of that.”

  Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against hers as I take in the same air she breathes. “As do I, mo stór. I can’t wait till it’s for real.”

  As she cups my face, I open my eyes and she smiles. “Not too much longer.”

  “I’m counting the hours.”

  “I’m counting the minutes,” she counters.

  “Fine, the seconds are what I’m counting,” I tease back, kissing her nose.

  “I wish it would just happen so both of ya will stop all this ooey gooey counting shite! Jaysus,” Kane supplies before looking over at Fiona. “I refuse to be like that.”

  She laughs before looking over at us. “Don’t let him fool ya a bit. He’s as ooey gooey as a melted slice of cheese, that one.”

  That has everyone laughing, and as Amberlyn laughs in my arms, I pull her closer.

  I live for moments like these.

  Just holding her and feeling her laugh against me.

  I almost lost her.

  These moments.

  That is something I’ll never forget, and because of it, I treasure her.

  Completely.

  Chapter 14

  Amberlyn

  “And this is my future daughter-in-law, our soon-to-be Whiskey Princess.”

  Six pair of eyes cut to me as I stand awkwardly near Mrs. O’Callaghan and Lena. While I am dressed like them, even look as if I could be one of them, I feel so out of place. Both of them are very slim, long legs, and long, flowing blond hair. Their dresses make them look like a billion bucks, and while mine is obviously by the same designer, I’m pretty sure I look frumpy in it. I never really cared for tea dresses; I don’t like the length or the look of them, but apparently everyone who is in the world of upper society loves them.

  Declan assured me that I looked great, but I am sure I could wear a paper bag and he’d think that. By the look of the ladies around the table, I don’t look great, I look stupid, and I want to go home. Wringing my fingers together, I wish that Declan were here. He’d assure me that the Fadmish ladies aren’t looking at me like I don’t belong. That they aren’t stuck-up people but very sweet ladies, but he is nowhere to be seen. He drove me over here and said he’d take me home afterward. I’m pretty sure he’s out playing with his horse.

  Lucky duck.

  I want to stop being nervous, but I don’t get what I wish for. Smiling, like I assume I’m supposed to be, I walk with Mrs. O’Callaghan and Lena into the gazebo before taking my seat between them. Everyone falls into fast conversation while I sit there and try to keep up. Some of the ladies’ accents are very thick and I try to understand them, but it’s hard. Lena and Mrs. O’Callaghan keep up with no issue at all, not that I thought they wouldn’t, I just wish I could. I’ve been here almost six months; shouldn’t I be a little more fluent in the Irish manner of speaking?

  I’ll catch on. Hopefully. Looking off to the left, I watch as two bluebirds play carelessly in the bird bath. I’d love to be one of those birds right now. It’s a gorgeous day. Fall is coming and you can feel the cool in the air, but still it’s beautiful. I love the weather here. It’s so crisp and instantly makes you feel happy. It isn’t just weather though, I’ve realized since being in Ireland. No, it’s a part of you. The way the air brushes your hair off your shoulders or kisses your cheeks. It’s poetic almost. I just love it here.

  Leaning back in my chair, I cross my legs but soon Mrs. O’Callaghan is tapping my ribs. “Sit up, my love,” she whispers, and I almost think she isn’t talking to me until she sets me with a disapproving look. My brows come together as I sit up like I’m asked to. I’m not sure why I do that, but I do. Crossing my hands on my knee, I keep smiling as one of the ladies and Lena talk about Micah. From what I hear, she is a friend of Micah’s family.

  “And you’ll go with him?” she asks Lena.

  Lena smiles as she shrugs. “I’m considering it. I just don’t know what I’d do without a straightener or my phone, even!”

  Everyone laughs and I smile attentively. I feel someone looking at me, and when I glance over at the lady who was talking to Lena, she’s smiling at me. She then asks, “Would you go if our sweet Declan were leaving for Africa?”

  I clear my throat before saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

  Everyone smiles and I know it’s because of my accent. My non Irish-speaking accent. “Considering I didn’t throw it, I’d doubt ya would.” I try not to be offended as she says, “My name is Rhonda.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I say with a grin, one that is totally fake, of course. “Yes, I would go.”

  “Yous wouldn’t be scared about not having a straightener? Or other things we women need?” Another of the ladies asks with a look of horror on her face. “I wouldn’t go! I’d wait like a good wife would.”

  Everyone nods in agreement and even laughs softly as I shrug, running my finger along the rim of my teacup.r />
  “I’d have Declan. What else would I need?” I say simply, a small grin pulling at my lips. I’d go anywhere Declan was. We’d figure out a way to be happy wherever we are.

  “A phone? Makeup?!” Lena laughs.

  “Who would I need to call? Declan is there. I would call my cousin and family when I could. They’d understand,” I answer and receive nothing but looks of surprise. “And as for makeup or even nice clothes, Declan loves me no matter what. I don’t have to get all glammed up for him to be attracted to me. He’s seen me at my worst and my greatest, and thankfully, he still loves me. As I do him,” I say, and then I feel like I’ve said too much. Lena is looking at me like I’ve grown two heads within the time it took for me to say all that. The other ladies just look skeptical of me. Maybe it did sound like I was trying too hard? Trying to prove that I was good enough for their beloved Whiskey Prince.

  Lena lets out a laugh and then covers my hand. “I guess my love isn’t as strong as Amberlyn’s, then.”

  I know she meant it as a joke, but there is some truth in her eyes that I see before she looks away.

  Rhonda looks back at me and smiles. “Well, she did take a bullet for the lad. He is obviously important, yeah?”

  I nod. “More than anyone would ever realize.”

  Reaching for my cup, I take a long pull, but when the tap comes to my ribs, I almost spit the tea out.

  “Love, don’t slurp, sip,” she says to me, and I blush before swallowing what was in my mouth.

  “Didn’t realize I was,” I say, but that rewards me with looks of disdain from my future mother-in-law. Abandoning my gaze, she looks across the table.

  “They are quite in love,” Mrs. O’Callaghan says, and when I glance over at her, I see that she drinks with her pinkie up. I always through that it was in stories, but nope, she is rocking the one pinkie up as she sips her tea. “I worried that she was only in it for the money, but she didn’t even know who we were.”

  “No?” Rhonda asks, shock visible along her wrinkled eyes.