Fearless: An Irish Mafia Romance (Wild Irish Book 3)

by Vi Carter

  Once we enter the main room, I’m separated from Darragh. He has to sit at the head table with the rest of his family, but I’ve been placed with Ava and since she is ‘new’ too we stick together.

  We are seated with mostly Northern Ireland people. Their accent fascinates me. I could listen to them for hours.

  “How do you know the bride or groom?” The place name in front of the man is Tom, he looks very similar to Darragh’s Father and I wonder if they are related.

  “I’m here with Darragh, he’s the Grooms brother.”

  “Ah, Darragh, nice bloke. They sure have some fine women down this end of the water.”

  I grin at the compliment. “Thanks.”

  “What about you love?” He asks Ava and I take the time to start on my soup.

  “I’m here with my boyfriend Connor also a brother to the groom.” It’s funny how Ava’s response gets everyone’s attention.

  “You’re Connor’s woman?” A young lad asks.

  “Matt watch your tongue.” Tom’s response is sharp and Matt apologizes to Ava. It’s awkward but Ava waves it off. I’m glad when the meal part is over and we no longer have to stay at the same tables. My heart lifts as Darragh makes his way over to our table.

  “You want to check out the room?” He asks me in front of everyone. Darragh focuses on my company and he smiles at Tom.

  “Uncle Tom, didn’t think you would make it.” They shake hands and don’t release them as they speak to one another.

  “Didn’t think I would be invited, but Finn was always the softest.” There is a strain in the conversation and when I glance around the table Matt is looking at me and gives me a soft smile.

  “Sorry to hear about your son.”

  “You weren’t sorry enough to come to the funeral.” Their words are delivered quickly. Darragh releases his uncle’s hand. “I didn’t think we would be wanted.” Darragh fires back and faces me, the strain in his shoulders and around his eyes has me standing.

  “Let’s check out the room,” I say getting up.

  I don’t like leaving Ava alone. “Want to come take a look at our room?” I ask her.

  “Don’t worry we don’t bite.” Tom speaks up but I ignore him and focus on Ava.

  “No, I’m good. Just going to find Connor.” She uses the moment to stand and I’m relieved that I’m not leaving her with them. Right now Tom just seems so hostile.

  As we leave the main room Darragh doesn’t look up from his phone. His fingers race across the keys.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask as we climb the stairs.

  He finally looks up and stuffs the phone in his pocket. “Yeah. Sorry about that. So you want to take a look at our room?”

  “Just a look.” I take a peek at him and he’s grinning.

  Our room is huge, like stupid huge. The four-poster bed dominates the room along with the claw bath that sits in the middle of the room.

  “Well a bath is out of the question,” I say running my hand along the off-white ceramic bath.

  “I won’t look. Promise.”

  I laugh at Darragh.

  “Scouts honor.” He does a little cross over his heart and I shake my head at him, but I can’t stop smiling. The windows drop to the floor and I step closer. We are overlooking a garden that’s filled with guests and beyond that fields and even further out is a forest.

  “It’s stunning,” I say as heat against my back has me catching my breath.

  “Not as stunning as you.” Darragh whispers into my ear.

  I’m so tempted to turn and look at him but I’m just not that brave. The heat is replaced with cold as he walks away from me. His footsteps are cushioned on the luxury beige carpet under our feet. I stay in the window for a little while longer before I gather some courage and turn around. Darragh’s sitting on a clawed legged chair watching me. My breath swirls and stills in my chest.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” My breath seems shallow as Darragh rises without answering me and steps towards me. I want to fidget or look away as he continues his walk to me. He stops leaving only inches between us. His eyes flicker to my lips.

  “I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never met anyone who’s made me feel like this.”

  I wet my lips at his words. “What way do I make you feel?” I can’t look away from his lips.

  “Content. I’ve never felt that before. I’m always chasing something that I can’t reach, but with you, I don’t mind standing still.”

  My lips touch his, his surprise that I made the first move lasts only a few seconds before he returns the kiss. We are moving, the bed sinks around my back. Darragh moves his tongue into my mouth, his excitement brushes against me and wetness starts the pool between my legs. Breaking the kiss gives me a moment to think clearly. Darragh trails kisses down my neck and when he kisses my breasts and runs his tongue across my nipple, I stop him. My halter dress is untied. I didn’t even notice him undoing it.

  “We need to stop,” I say.

  He stands with his hands in the air. “I’ve stopped,” He says each word a little breathless.

  I sit up and hold the dress in place before retying it.

  “You started it this time not me.”

  I nod while trying to compose myself. “I know I did.” I answer as I run my hands across my hair.

  Darragh sits on his hunkers so he can see me as I duck my head. “You sound upset.”

  I shake my head. “No just guys like you don’t normally like girls like me.” I’m honest with him. He’s scaring the crap out of me and I don’t scare easily. I’ve seen so much in my life and I’ve been hurt pretty bad, but with Darragh I’m not sure I’d bounce back.

  “You have no idea of your worth.” He takes my hand in his. “Let’s just go back to the wedding and enjoy ourselves. We don’t have to figure out everything right now.”

  He was right.

  “But we could say this is our first date.” He starts to rise as he speaks pulling me with him.

  “A real date?”

  “Yeah.” He grins as he twines our fingers together and we leave the hotel room. “Like boyfriend and girlfriend kind of date.”

  “Wow that escalated quickly.” I say. His laughter is husky and my stomach responds by tightening.

  “We could be married by the end of the night.”

  I glance at Darragh sideways. “At the speed you’re going anything is possible.”

  We enter the ball room that has been transformed once again. The lights are dimmed and candlelight casts most the light around the room. No one is dancing but soft music plays out.

  Darragh isn’t slowing and the horror of what he is thinking of doing has me trying to pull discreetly away from him.

  “I don’t dance.” I hiss.

  Darragh throws a grin over his shoulder. “Neither do I.” He twirls me unexpectedly. My dress spreads out around me. My free hand presses against a solid chest as Darragh pulls me into him and we are swaying.

  “What the hell was that?”

  “Just a move I picked up.” The heat of his hand in mine is making me forget that we are the only ones on the dance floor.

  Glancing down I try to follow his footing.

  “Just let me lead.”

  When I glance back up his eyes search my face before landing on my lips.

  “Okay,” I say and try to let go of all my fear. We spin and move around the floor and I feel like a ballroom dancer. Each twirl has me laughing as I spin and all the faces merge into a blur. Darragh’s smiling face reappears each time as I try to let the dizziness go.

  “You are an amazing dancer,” I say trying to catch my breath.

  “So are you.”

  The music softens further, and he pulls me into him until our bodies are flushed. His warm breath brushes my neck. The slow movement allows me to see that we are being watched and my nerves kick in. Closing my eyes I bury myself deeper into Darragh and allow myself to enjoy my first dance.

  DARRAGH


  “Smile ladies.” Ciara, Una, Ava and Siobhan are sitting together at a table; they look up and smile as I capture the picture. Looking at it on my phone, Ciara’s smiling face and her bright blue eyes have me smiling down at the picture.

  “Let me see.” Finn slides in beside me. “Can you send me that?”

  I quickly attach it and send it out to each brother. “Sent.”

  “Are you coming out for a smoke?” I ask Finn and he nods before giving Siobhan a kiss.

  “We are just heading out for a smoke,” I say to Ciara. She’s watching me and I want to kiss her but I restrain myself.

  “Go. I’m fine here.”

  I wink at her before heading outside with Finn.

  “Where are you going?” Connor falls into step beside us.

  “I need a smoke,” I say as we head outside. Everyone wants to talk to Finn. So we move into the carpark where none of the guests are. I light up a smoke and hand the box and lighter to Connor, he lights up one too and passes the box to Finn.

  “It’s someday.” Connor says and I agree with him.

  “Yeah it’s perfect. Just can’t believe it’s all gone without a hitch. I can’t thank you both enough.”

  “You can take us out for drinks when you get back from the honeymoon,” Connor says.

  Glancing back at the hotel I just allow myself to relax and enjoy this moment. “Where’s the honeymoon, anyway?” I ask.

  “A cruise around the world.” I wasn’t much for boats but a holiday was something I might think about taking soon.

  “How are you doing?” Finn asks after a moment of silence.

  “Yeah I was going to ask too?” Connor walks over to a cigarette bin and puts out his fag.

  “I’m good. It’s funny. I feel great,” I say to both of them.

  Finn smiles. “You look happy,” he says.

  “I am.”

  “Do we have to thank Ciara?” Connor’s smirk has me nudging him.

  “This is all on me.” I lie and put out my fag. Going back into the hotel, the dance floor has filled back up. I spot Shane and Liam drinking together. “You ever wonder what they talk about?” I ask Connor as Finn gets swallowed up by his guests.

  “All the time.” Connor’s answer surprises me.

  I thought it was only me. “Let’s go over.”

  “Don’t start anything.” I warn and it feels weird. Normally everyone is warning me. Not the other way around.

  Screams start from the side of the room and seem to trickle throughout the crowd. Connor and I pause halfway across the dance floor. I’m searching for the source of the panic that is spreading rapidly. Everyone is running and the first shot rings out. I hit the ground hard and cover my head. We were sitting ducks. Connor lands beside me and grabs my arm.

  “Move.” He’s crawling across the floor, people are running in their panic to get away, an elderly woman slams into me and hits the floor, the crack of her head beside me has me pausing. The bang of another gunshot has me moving again. Once we reach the tables, I can’t stay down any longer. I need to see what’s happening. Standing I can’t see anything through the stampede of people. Climbing onto the table gives me a better view.

  “What are you doing?” Connor tries to pull me down. Five men in balaclavas hold shotguns that they re-pump. They are searching the room, they aren’t shooting blindly. A hand grips my leg and pulls my trousers. I see the moment the shooter looks at me; our eyes meet as he pumps his gun. I’m going to die. Connor’s standing blocking me from the path of the shooter. The gun fires.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  DARRAGH

  I’m staring into my brother’s wide eyes. Looking over his shoulder the gunman is still staring at us, the screams in the room block out everything else.

  “Get down now.” Connor warns and this time I let him drag me under the table where a couple and an elderly man are hiding.

  “He missed,” I say as my eyes roam Connor. He looks away from me. My brain is screaming that he didn’t miss. He just didn’t shoot us. “They didn’t shoot you.” I’m rambling.

  Connor grabs my arm roughly. “Go find the girls. I’ll find Liam and Shane.”

  Did the shooter know Connor? I’m looking into the eyes of a stranger who shakes me again. “Now is not the time Darragh.”

  I pull my arm from his grasp and pause as three more shots ring out, the screams of pure horror are close to me and I push ahead, one voice striking a chord deep inside me. Ciara’s screams and her cries tear at me and I no longer crawl. I’m standing, jumping across people and chairs. I halt the moment I see what everyone is screaming for. Siobhan is sprawled out, her dress soaking up the blood that seeps from a bullet wound in her stomach.

  She’s dead. Ciara is holding her hands over the wound, blood rushing through her fingers. I drop beside them and Una grows frantic the moment she sees me.

  “Oh my God.” She’s trembling but I check Siobhan for a pulse that I know won’t be there. I spot Ava huddled under a table. Her head buried in knees.

  “What do I do?” Ciara’s eyes are wild.

  I hate that I can’t do anything. Shaking my head, Una starts roaring again. It doesn’t matter. Everyone seems to be frantic. People are rising slowly, half bent at the waist.

  “Ciara,” I take her face in my hands. “She’s gone.”

  Tears trickle from wide blue eyes and she buries herself in my chest. I’m staring down at Siobhan, her dress rapidly turning red.

  “Siobhan!” Finn’s voice has me releasing Ciara.

  “Just stay here.” I tell her before I stand and spot Connor and Finn. I don’t see Liam or Shane. Connor meets my eye, his face pales as he stares at my chest. Ciara’s bloody hand marks are imprinted on my shirt.

  “Are you okay?” Connor reaches me first and I stand aside.

  “Finn.” I can’t get the words out as he moves closer to me.

  “Ah no. Ah no.” Finn moves past us and falls to his knees beside Siobhan. Connor looks at me and I can’t hold his stare. I pray to God he had no dealings with this. “Stay with him.” Finn is bent over Siobhan crying as I leave to find Liam and Shane.

  “Liam, Shane!”

  Arms grip me and I look up into my Father’s face. “Your brothers?” His fear is gripping him, choking him. “Finn and Connor are fine. I need to find Liam and Shane.”

  “I’ll help you.”

  I nod and we both call them. I’m walking towards the last place I saw them sitting. “Siobhan’s dead,” I mumble to Father.

  “Darragh,” It’s Liam, and he’s safe. I embrace him; I want him to fix this. He can fix things.

  “Whose blood is on you?” Liam asks and I can see he’s shook.

  “Siobhan’s.”

  He nods. “Is everyone okay?” Father pats him on the arm.

  “Shane, where’s Shane. He was with you.”

  “The minute they fired he raced looking for Una.” The screams in the room have fallen to cries of despair.

  “Shane.” I scream again and my voice carries across the room.

  “Over here,” Uncle Tom is standing and the strain on his face has me running towards him with Father and Liam on my heels. Please God, don’t let him be dead.

  There was so much blood. His tie had been removed from his shirt.

  “He has a pulse, but it’s weak.” I find the pulse and Father is beside me but he isn’t fussing over Shane.

  “If I find out you had anything to do with this. I will kill you.” Father threatens Tom.

  “I’ve been here the whole time.”

  “Shut the fuck up.” My roar silences them. Shane is bleeding to death. Now was not the fucking time. “Someone ring an ambulance.”

  “I have done it already.” Liam joins me and I move letting him press his coat to Shane’s wound.

  “Go be with Finn.” Liam tells me and I nod. I don’t want to. I had no idea what to do. Standing up allows me to see the room, it’s carnage. The doors open again and this tim
e the room is filling with an ambulance crew and the Gardai. I meet Una near where Siobhan was. Her eyes are red and puffy.

  “Have you seen Shane?”

  “Una,” I say her name and she’s shaking her head.

  “Don’t you dare.” She’s struggling to breathe, her eyes blur. “Don’t you dare,” she says gentler this time.

  “He’s alive, but he’s been shot.” Her hand slaps against her trembling lips. “Where is he?”

  I take Una to Shane; the ambulance crews have arrived and lift him onto a stretcher.

  “I want him to have the best of care.” Father is gripping one of the paramedics by his collar. Two Gardai put their hands on our Father. Liam and I move at the same time.

  “Get your hands off him.” I push the closest one back. Gardai Brady stares at me.

  “Don’t touch him again,” I say and he doesn’t speak back.

  “Dad let him go.” I pry Father’s fingers off the paramedic. “You’re delaying them leaving.” My words have my Father releasing him.

  The other Gardai I don’t know that had grabbed Father isn’t as quiet as Brady. “Take your hands off me or I will arrest you.” Liam releases his neck but still stands close to him.

  “Liam come on.” I pat his arm getting him to come away.

  “Shane please stay with me.” Una’s cries drift away as she leaves with Shane.

  “Dad go with Shane.” Father nods and moves to leave but the Gardai that Liam had grabbed stops him.

  “No one leaves this room.”

  “This is our family.” Liam’s composure slips.

  “This is a crime scene.” The Gardai moves towards Liam.

  “Don’t make me arrest you.”

  “Philip. Leave it.” Brady steps in but Philip is really new to this.

  “No.” Una’s shouting at the top of the room, they won’t let her leave with Shane. I go to join her but Connor is there trying to calm her down.

  “You will pay for this.” Liam’s threat is low but we hear it.

  “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.” Philip removes cuffs but Liam doesn’t move.