Celtic Dragon

by Amy Cecil

  “Nice to meet you,” she says curtly. She then turns and stomps out of the kitchen. Hopefully, that little shit will keep her distance for the remainder of our stay in Belfast.

  I hear Liam in the living room talking to Doc and Ryder. I need to get the boys together and get all our shit straight for Friday. This is definitely something that I don’t want to do in front of the girls. I look over at Rebel and say, “Liam just came down. Let’s go.” He nods and we both leave the kitchen.

  Walking into the living room, I say, “Liam, why don’t you join me and my boys downstairs in the basement and we can get everything together for Friday. I don’t want our girls involved, so it is better that we take this elsewhere. All I need is for one of them to accidentally hear something they shouldn’t. Get what I mean?”

  “Sure, Ice. We can do that.” We all walk through the kitchen and head for the basement. I notice that Liam is carrying the laptop that we loaned him.

  As the last one to head downstairs, I turn to the girls and say, “Let us know when breakfast is ready, otherwise I don’t want us disturbed.” I give Emma my most charming smile and then turn to proceed down the steps. She’s a curious little thing and I know it’s killing her to not know what’s going on. But we both know it’s better this way.

  We get downstairs and all take a seat. Liam asks, “Did you arrange transport and IDs?”

  “Yep. We’re scheduled to be on a transport out of Belfast at midnight on Friday.”

  “Good, that should work,” Liam replies.

  Just then we all hear the basement door opening and footsteps coming down the stairs. We stop the conversation until Damon and Patrick turn the corner.

  “Do we have a plan?” Patrick asks.

  “Perfect timing, we’re just about to get to that,” I say. I really don’t want these two involved, but since they were the ones that called us, I guess I don’t have much of a choice. There’s something about them that I just don’t trust. I have my men and the MC in Belfast at my disposal; I doubt that I will need Damon and Patrick. I start to wonder if I can trust them enough to take Emma and the girls to the airport. That would give them something to do so they’d be out of my hair. I can’t imagine they would fuck that up, but I’ll have one of Declan’s crew stay with them to ensure that there aren’t any fuck ups. They want us gone just as much as we want to go home.

  I look over at Liam and say, “We’re all here, what’s the plan?”

  “I’ve got two guys inside the prison that I trust with my life. They’ve informed me that the O’Byrnes are both being held together, which is a good thing for us. We only have to break them out of one cell instead of two. They also indicated that every day, a guard checks on them first thing in the morning and then again around 2 pm. A meal is brought to them at 6 pm sharp, and then the last check of the day is at 9 pm. Between 9 pm and 9 am the next morning, they are left alone. That’s our window.”

  “So that basically gives us two and half hours to get them out and get to the airfield in Belfast.” I pause and look at Liam. “Is that doable?”

  “Yes, but you will have to act quickly. The prison is roughly 40 minutes from Belfast. Do you have the address of the airfield where your flight will be leaving?” he asks.

  I reach into my pocket and hand him the piece of paper on which I scratched all the information that Willie gave me about the flight. “It’s on here.”

  He looks at my scribblings on the paper and says, “Good, this is very good. I know this airfield. It’s on the east side of the Belfast International Airport. That just shortened your trip by twenty minutes.”

  “Fuck, it looks like this is gonna work,” I say.

  “Don’t get too confident yet. Now comes the tricky part. I need more men than what we have. Do you have reinforcements? Anyone you can call to help?” He directs this question to Damon and Patrick and the twit brothers both look to the other for an answer.

  Damon says, “I don’t think we have anyone else. Our resources are tapped out at the moment.”

  What a dumb fuck! This is his fucking mother and father we’re talking about and his resources are tapped out. Something is just not right with these two.

  I say, “We don’t need your resources, Damon; we have resources of our own. Liam, how many extra men do you need?”

  “Two, maybe three,” he says.

  “Done!”

  “Perfect.” He sets the laptop on the table and boots it up. Once he has an Internet connection he pulls up a diagram of the prison, including the tunnels.

  Holy shit, we’ve hit the jackpot with this guy. I’m beginning to like him more and more.

  Liam says, “You need to look at this.” He points to an area on the screen and says, “This is the prison main entrance. We’ll need two guys out there, not dressed in cuts and definitely not obvious, if you get my meaning.” Then he adds, “These two are nothing but lookouts and they can’t leave with you all. We won’t have time to get them and get to the airport.”

  “We’ll use my backup crew here,” I reply.

  He nods and continues, “Your family members are way over here.” He points to another area of the diagram that’s at the opposite end of the main entrance. He then draws a finger from the main entrance to the location that my family is being held. “This is the tunnel that’s gonna get you in.” Moving his finger to the very back of the prison, he says, “This is the tunnel that’s gonna get you out.”

  “And you said that nobody guards those tunnels?” I ask, just to make sure.

  “Six months ago, they weren’t guarded. My sources say they are still not guarded. But I suggest that you go in armed with silenced weapons, just in case. In the event you need to shoot someone, you don’t want the entire prison alarmed by gunfire,” Liam says. I nod and Liam continues.

  “The entrance to the tunnel is here.” He points to an area just to the left of the main entrance. “Let me show you on Google Earth so you can see what it looks like.” He pulls up the Google Earth image of the prison, but all I can make out of where he’s pointing is a bunch of shrubs. “The entrance is in those bushes. Your exit is camouflaged the same way.” He then moves the view to the exit tunnel so we can see. “Notice that this exit leaves you in the back of the prison. You’ll still need to go through the prison parking lot and around to the front and the main gate.

  “One of my guys will meet you at 9:15 pm inside the entrance of the tunnel and escort you to the O’Byrnes’ cell. I suggest you have at least three guys with you inside. You never know what could happen in there and it is better to be safe than sorry.

  “My guy will have a key to the cell and will release them. He won’t be able to escort you to the exit. For that, my friend, I’m afraid you’re on your own. My guy needs to get back to his post before anyone notices he’s gone.

  “I’ll be waiting for you at the exit.” He pauses and looks around the room and says, “You get all that?”

  “Yeah.” I then turn to my crew and say, “You boys good?” They nod in agreement.

  “I suggest that you pay close attention to the path you take to get to the cell. And make sure you study the location of that exit. The last thing you need is to make a wrong turn and get yourselves lost in there,” he says.

  “What happens after we get them out?” Damon asks.

  Before Liam can respond, I jump in. “I believe I need to be clear about how this is going to go down. You boys called upon my club to help you with this. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I don’t sit back and take orders from anyone. Things are done my way or no way. Understood?” I pause until they both nod. I continue, “With that being said, we will not be getting them out. My boys and I will. Your parents will be leaving the country for a while. I think it is best that you don’t know where they are, for the time being.”

  “What?” Damon asks incredulously. “What do you mean, they can’t stay in Ireland?”

  Fucking idiot. “Damon, your parents are high-ranking officials in t
he IRA. The British have captured them and after Friday, they will have escaped. They’ll be fugitives.”

  “Yeah, but they can’t leave!” he whines.

  “You can protest all you want, it doesn’t fucking change the facts.” I pause and then add, “It is what it is, plain and simple. If they stay here they’ll be killed. It’s their best chance.”

  “And what about their family?” Patrick asks.

  “Rebel and I are their family, too,” I remind them.

  “They don’t even fucking know you!” Damon yells.

  The violence of his reaction totally takes me aback. I understand loving one’s parents, but this is a bit over the top if you ask me. Rebel, who is twice Damon’s size in girth and about an inch taller, steps in and says, “What’s the matter, Damon? You fucking jealous of your big cousin? Did all the talking that Mam and Da did about him all those years ago make you think they didn’t love you?” Rebel gives his best impression of a whining baby. It surprises me a bit to see him egging his brother on like this. It’s the first that I’ve seen him stand up to his oldest brother, and I’ve never been more proud of him.

  “Fuck you, Balefire!” Damon yells.

  “Yeah, fuck you!” Patrick adds.

  I can tell that Rebel is seeing red. How quickly they forget that although Rebel may be their little brother, he is also the man that avenged his uncle’s death at my side. He is the man that helped me slaughter Satans at Dirty Dicks until every last Satan in that bar was dead. He’s the man that I trust above all others to protect my girl, the only man I will ever trust with my sister. And the man who’d die for any one of his brothers. They don’t understand the man he is now. They can’t even to being to comprehend the pillar of strength that stands before them. But I have a feeling they’re about to find out.

  Rebel gets in Damon’s face and says, “You, big brother, are a fucking pussy. You act like you are this big tough member of the IRA, but the fucking truth is that if you were, you would have had Mam and Da home long before now. It kills you knowing that you aren’t the one to get them home and it kills you even more that it’s Ice and I giving them their freedom.”

  Damon doesn’t say a word, he just stares incredulously at his little brother. Rebel continues, “You and Patrick may be my older brothers, but I’m no longer a kid. I’m a fucking man and I have seen and done things that would make your head spin. I don’t take shit from anyone and I sure as hell won’t take any shit from you. If Ice and I say this is how it is, then you will fucking shut your mouth and agree. If you can’t, then get the fuck out of my sight!” He pauses and then adds, “And my fucking name is Rebel. I suggest you remember that.”

  Holy fucking shit. Neither brother says a word. Liam looks utterly shocked and I am just beaming with pride for my brother. It was clear from the minute we got here that his brothers pushed him around in the past and never really gave him any credit. It bothered him and I knew eventually he’d hit his breaking point. I’m glad he finally did. It’s nice to see him standing up to them. That’s the Rebel I know.

  Patrick is the first to speak, after looking cautiously at Damon then back at me. “Ice, what do you need us to do?” he asks meekly.

  Yep, he’s definitely the follower, I think. “Make sure the girls get to the airfield by 11 pm,” I say. “I’ll arrange to have one of the local club boys with you all too, just to make sure all goes as planned. We can’t afford to have anything go wrong,” I warn.

  “Girls?” he asks.

  I shake my head, snickering. “You must have missed the gabfest in the kitchen this morning. We received surprise guests last night. My old lady, my sister, and one of the other girls from the club showed up at your front door.”

  “I didn’t go in the kitchen, we just assumed you all were down here, so we came straight down the back stairs.” He pauses then adds, “But we did smell the food. I thought maybe Ciara had taken up cooking, but I just realized she is too wrapped up in herself. The last thing she would be doing is cooking breakfast for all of us.” He laughs. That remark came at the perfect time, it really did break up the tension between Damon and Rebel.

  “So who’s gonna help at the prison?” Damon asks.

  “Our brothers,” I reply, which reminds me that I need to call Declan and see if he can spare a couple of guys for us. I look over at Liam and say, “I’ll secure the manpower. I assume you’re driving us to the prison?” I ask.

  “That’s my plan,” he replies. “I guess I’ll be staying here through Friday?” he asks with a smirk.

  “Yep, you guess correctly. Make yourself comfortable; the way tensions have been running upstairs I promise it won’t be dull,” I reply, laughing.

  Just then the basement door opens and Emma calls downstairs, “Breakfast is ready.”

  I look around the room. “We good here?” I glance back and forth between Rebel and Damon.

  Damon nods and Rebel says, “Fucktastic, Boss!” He walks past me as if he’s on top of the world and heads upstairs for some food. And like lemmings, we all follow.

  Chapter 18

  Emma

  Because there are so many people at the house, Honey and I decide that it would be better to have everyone eat buffet style instead of trying to have everyone sit at the table. Getting everyone into the small kitchen wouldn’t work. Shortly after we decide, the guys come up from the basement with Rebel in the lead. He walks over to Ari, picks her up, and gives her a big hug.

  He whispers in her ear, but it’s loud enough to hear, “I love ya, doll!” She giggles as he nuzzles her neck. It’s so comforting to see them both happy; clearly last night’s incident didn’t cause any damage to their relationship. Anyone with a brain can see he only has eyes for her. But then again, I’m convinced that Ciara doesn’t have a brain.

  He turns toward Honey and I and says, “Thanks for making breakfast, ladies. I’m starving!”

  “Plates and utensils are over there.” Honey points to the end of the counter. “And food is over there,” she says, pointing to the table in the center of the room. “Help yourself and find a place to eat,” she says as the rest of the guys begin to pile in the kitchen.

  Three men that I don’t know enter the kitchen, but by the looks of two them I assume they are somehow related to Rebel. I have no idea who the third gentleman is. Caden pulls up the rear and comes straight to me. He puts his arm around me and pulls me in close. “I’m still pissed off that you are here, but damn, woman, I’m so glad you are.” He smiles and kisses the top of my head. When the men that I don’t know walk by us, Caden says, “Emma, meet my two cousins, Damon and Patrick O’Byrne. They’re Rebel’s older brothers. It’s their house that you and Honey have taken over.”

  They both nod and say, “Ma’am, a pleasure,” almost in unison.

  I wince. Caden’s right, we have taken over their kitchen. “I’m sorry that we just took over your kitchen this morning,” I say.

  “No worries, ma’am,” Damon says. He then looks at Cade and says dryly, “Taking over seems to be something you Americans are really good at.” He pauses and then adds, “Besides, we appreciate the meal; not much cooking has been going on here since Mam’s been gone.” Patrick nods in agreement. They get their food and proceed to find a place to eat.

  I looked up at Cade and ask, “What was that all about?”

  He chuckles quietly and says, “It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in later.” I nod and am pleased that at least he’ll share that with me. I find it odd that Cade doesn’t introduce me to the other man, but I decide not to ask about it now. I know, I know, need to know basis.

  Once everyone has food and is scattered around the living room and dining room eating, Ciara walks in. She’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans that look as if they’ve been painted on her body. She has a Harley shirt on, the front is covered with sparkles and displays the Harley logo but the back is cut out, revealing that she is not wearing a bra. Skank! I think. This girl reeks of bad news; I don’t trust her at
all.

  “Where’s my breakfast?” she asks petulantly.

  “All the food is in the kitchen. Help yourself. We cook, we’re not serving.” I lean over to Cade and ask quietly, “What’s her deal?”

  He laughs again and says, “Another long story.”

  Caden seems more relaxed this morning than he was before he left for Ireland. I’m guessing things are going well for them; hopefully that means we’ll be able to go home soon. Although … I’m not sure I want to go back. I have no idea who could be sending those notes and going back just means that we’ll have to deal with that problem.

  As if he can read my mind, he leans over and whispers in my ear, “I haven’t forgotten about the notes. When we’re done with breakfast, we’ll get together with the boys and call Hawk. We’ll figure this out. I promise.”

  “Thank you,” I whisper.

  After breakfast, Honey, Ari, and I clean up the food and dishes while the guys chill out in the living room. Ciara spends her time hanging all over Damon. She is clearly doing her best to make Rebel jealous. Unfortunately for her, it’s not working.

  Just as we’re finishing up in the kitchen, I catch a whiff of the familiar smell of cigar smoke. The smell reminds me of my dad when I was a little girl. He always had a cigar in his mouth, and the sweet cherry smell always brought a smile to my face. After walking into the living room, I’m surprised to see that Caden is the one smoking. Oh, my … He looks so strong and confident. It’s sexy and it makes my mouth water. Too bad there are so many people here.

  I smile and saunter over to him. He moves his leg to make a seat for me and gestures for me to sit on his lap. I plop my butt down and snuggle up against him. “Nice cigar,” I say.

  “It’s my new thing. Ya like?” he replies.

  “I do. The smell reminds me of Dad.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot that your dad smokes cigars.”

  “Yeah, but beyond the smell, there is something about that cigar that makes you look damn sexy … not to mention the scruff.” I take my hand and run it along his beard.