by S Kline
I grab the closest empty bottle I can find and launch it in his direction. It flies past his head and shatters against the wall behind him. His eyes immediately shoot to me, his grin somehow even bigger. He hops down from the table and his tall frame makes the action look clumsier than it is.
“What was that for?” He steps up to me and shoves his hands into his pockets, tilting his head to the side.
“I’m not high enough.” I shrug a shoulder at him and feel my own smirk grow on my face.
Dylan laughs at me and pulls a baggie from his pocket that contains the “later” joint we’d rolled earlier. It slides from the plastic and into his waiting hand when he tips the bag on its side.
We both drop onto the leather sofa in much the same position we’d been in at my house. It takes us no time at all to finish the joint off, and the buzz that settles through me is exactly what I needed.
A gorgeous woman with a petite build, long red hair, and dark eyes makes herself at home on my lap. I can see Dylan clearly eyeing her up, and I lean in to kiss along her neck. I feel a shove into my shoulder, and chuckle into her skin before lifting my head back up. Dylan is gone, but I can see his tall frame disappear into the masses.
My head is redirected to her lips with her gentle hold on my jaw. I lean into her, slowly relishing her lips. It’s not hard to remove the thin dress she’s wearing, and I make quick work of removing it from her body. I leave my t-shirt on since it’s easier than dealing with the removal of my gun. I shift us so that she is underneath me, loving it when her thin legs wrap around my waist.
My cell phone starts vibrating against my thigh. Instead of pulling it out to see who is calling, I shift my leg so the vibrations are pressed between her thighs. She moans and digs her nails into my shoulders.
My brain is sludgy and my body tingles from the combination of booze and drugs running rampant through my system. I can barely focus on the hooded look in her eyes as the scent of sex and smoke fills my lungs with every breath. My hands grip the leather of the couch as I hold myself above her.
The vibrating stops and I shift to press my jean covered cock back to the juncture of her thighs. Her constant whimpers are only turning me on more. I let my lips trail down her neck, nipping lightly over her skin.
Music is blasting through the hidden speakers, vibrating the air in every room. It adds to the sensuality of the moment, and I find myself moving in sync to the techno beats.
I suck a nipple into my mouth as another moan falls from her lips. My eyes squeeze shut and I let myself pretend it’s Kaci beneath me. It’s not the first time I’ve done it, but after our earlier encounter I could almost believe it.
I slip a finger under the edge of her panties and run it along her wet folds before grabbing the thin material in my fist and ripping it off her.
“Oh, yes!” I can feel the motion of her head rolling along the couch, but I keep my eyes closed.
I unbutton my jeans and slip a condom from my back pocket. I place the edge of the packet between my teeth and tear it open with one hand as I shove two fingers into her hot pussy.
She convulses around my fingers, making me groan into her chest. I hurriedly unroll the condom down my dick and center myself back at her opening. I know my dick is massive. I’ve heard it enough times to feel pretty confident that it is bigger than what most other guys have. It is both a blessing and a fucking curse.
I stretch her a little more with my fingers to help her accommodate me. Not because I care about her in particular, but because I don’t want her to stop me before I get off. When I pull my fingers back from her she whimpers and licks her full bottom lip. I lift my hand to her lips, letting my eyes open to watch her dark eyes lock on me.
“Suck it off.” My voice is gravely and rough.
She smiles as she wraps her tongue around my fingers before pulling them into her mouth. I push my cock into her slowly, and watch as her eyes shut and she sucks harder on my fingers. The drugs are making me careless so instead of continuing with my slow pace, I just shove my dick the rest of the way into her. She screams and, I close my eyes to relish the sound.
I bring my hands down to grip her hips and set a punishing rhythm of pounding into her hot pussy. I can only see Kaci in my head. I think about what her smooth skin would look like under my hands, her brown hair spread out beneath her, skin flushed, chest heaving.
I feel her spasms as her orgasm has her clenched hard around my dick, and it is enough to send me over the edge too. I put my forehead down to rest against her shoulder as I fill the condom with cum.
I don’t waste time saying things I don’t mean. I just pull out, tie off the condom, and re-button my jeans.
She just lies there, breathing heavily, sleepy brown eyes watching my movements. I shove the condom into my back pocket.
“You shouldn’t cover a body like that.” Her voice sounds a little whimsical, and I suspect it is more the drugs that are running through her than the actual sound of her voice.
I ignore her and walk to the kitchen for a beer. For the first time ever I actually feel a little pathetic, and I know it’s because of Kaci. I wanted to lose myself to sensation and I did, so why do I suddenly wish I hadn’t fucked that girl? Why do I feel like I should have just gone upstairs and handled business alone?
I gulp down my beer, not at all comfortable with these unfamiliar feelings. I haven’t allowed myself to consider an actual relationship with Kaci since I was twelve years old. So why has my mind decided to run through visions of being with her? It is bullshit and it needs to fucking stop.
I shake off the crushing weight that tries to settle in my chest and head for the stairs, more than ready to call it a night. I need to visit the old man in the morning, and we have our weekly meeting with Ardon and Ronan.
I open the door to the guest bedroom at the end of the hall and without bothering to flick on the lights I lock the door, unload my pockets, put my gun on the bedside table, strip out of my clothes, and slide between the cool, crisp sheets.
***
My eyes crack open against the sunlight pouring in through the bedroom windows. My head is pounding and my mouth is dry and sticky. The morning after a drug and alcohol binge is the equivalent of being stranded in the desert for a week with no water. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to keep me from doing it again. This is becoming a really bad habit, but I have no intention of breaking it.
My phone vibrates, sending itself on a dance across the nightstand. Was that what had woken me up? What is with these early morning phone calls? A vague memory comes back to me from last night. Addie had called, but I had been ignoring my phone.
My chest tightens as I remember my exchange with Kaci the night before. She had been so close that I could smell the soft, flowery scent of her skin beneath her ear. Then she’d stood as tall as she could on her little toes and whispered that dirty fucking word in my face. If I hadn’t been hard already just from being in her presence I would have gotten there in a heartbeat at her defiant little attitude.
My phone skirts across the wood again; pulling me from my revere. I palm my aching dick and lift the phone from beside me. Addie’s name flashes up at me. I sigh into the silence around me and answer the phone.
“Troy.” I know most people hate that I answer the phone with my name, maybe that’s why I still do it.
“I know it’s you. I called you remember.” She sounds annoyed and wide awake. What time was it anyway?
“So you did. Mind telling me what it is you want.” My words are short, clipped. I know I shouldn’t be mad at her, but I can’t help feeling like this whole situation is her fault.
A little huff comes down the line. “I have a doctor appointment this morning. I want you to come.”
“What time? I have to meet with Ronan and Ardon before heading up to see my old man.”
“You have to see him today? Can’t that wait until tomorrow?” I can sense her growing temper in her tone, but I can’t blow off either of these tw
o things.
I roll my eyes even though I know she can’t see me. “No. I have to schedule my visits, and they have to be approved before I can see Dad. He’s expecting me so I’m going. What time is your appointment Ads?”
The sound that reaches me from the other end of the phone can only be described as a tantrum. “Just forget it.”
Then the phone goes silent. She hung up on me. I set my phone back down on the table and run my fingers roughly through my hair. It is probably better that she woke me up early anyway. I really do have to go see the old man this afternoon. I pull myself up from the bed and glance behind me into the empty sheets. How sad is it that I hadn’t already known I was alone? When was the last time I’d slept alone?
I shake my head, gather up my clothes, and head into the bathroom for a shower. Since I stay here so often after fights I have some extra clothes in the dresser. I have to be the only loaded guy on the plant who still wears jeans and t-shirts daily.
The only time I ever dress in anything a little flashier is when it is requested by Ardon or Ronan. I rush through getting ready, throwing on clothes, running my fingers through my hair, and brushing my teeth. I just want to get this meeting over with so I can go see Dad.
The first thing I notice when I step outside is the warmth that immediately blankets my skin. I breathe in the fresh, salty ocean air, and hop into the Spyder. The drive to the warehouse where Fianna Fáil meets to discuss operations in the organization is less than ten minutes from Ardon’s party house.
It’s an old, run-down, off-the-map kind of place. The ground is rough gravel under the tires of my one-hundred and seventy-thousand dollar car. I park and look up at the old grain factory.
When I was a kid, I used to try to envision workers milling about the grounds. All I see now is negotiations; men sitting around a table, discussing death and money like it is the fucking weather.
I step out of the car and head toward the door and pass Ronan’s car which is already parked outside. Henry, one of his bodyguards, an older guy with graying black hair, stands outside of Ronan’s shiny black limo like a good little soldier.
“Henry.” I slant a hand at him in a brief hello that he returns immediately.
“Master Donovan.”
I pull open the barn-style metal door, step inside, and close it behind me. Ronan and Sean stand in the center of the room next to the round table where we discuss business.
The resemblance between the two of them is undeniable. Ronan and Sean have the same dark brown hair, green-brown eyes, and thick, brawny build. How some people are still oblivious to their relation is lost on me. Just seeing the two of them together is enough to convince me.
“Glad ye could make it, Troy.” Ronan’s voice still holds its Irish lilt even though he’s been in America for over thirty years.
“Where’s Ardon? I have to be on the road to visit Dad soon so I can’t stay long.” I reach under my arm to adjust the strap of my shoulder holster where it’s dug into my skin.
“How is Luke?” Ronan’s thick brow lifts in question.
I shrug my shoulders and rock back on my heels. “He says he’s fine and not to worry. That’s all he tells me.”
Ronan nods thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t discuss prison with my son either. It can be a hard place.” Then he turns toward Sean, waves between the two of us, and then toward the table for us to sit. “Have a seat. We can start without Ardon and I will fill him in when he gets here. I don’t want to keep Troy from his father.”
“No need, I’m here now.” Ardon’s gravelly voice carries through the desolate building and all of us turn toward him in unison.
His blonde-brown hair is slicked back from his face, and his brown eyes look over the three of us as he walks toward the table. A fresh-pressed button-down shirt is tucked into tan slacks, and a cigarette hangs out between his lips. “I think we are short a few people.” His words are slightly hindered by the thin cylinder in his mouth.
Ronan speaks up as Sean and I take our seats at the table. The chair next to me stays empty, a symbolic seat to my father.
“Ethan and Dylan are both on their way. I’ve called Kaci in as well, she’ll be here shortly. We can discuss our business with the Molony’s first.”
Ardon nods and takes his seat at the head of the table, Ronan taking the seat to his left. “Let’s begin then.”
The three of us nod in unison. Ardon turns his attention to me. “Where are you at with Bridgett’s murder? I know you said the information you found at the cabin a few months back led you nowhere. What’s become of it since?”
I swallow thickly. To hear my mother’s name is like being sliced open with new wounds. The information I found at Dad’s cabin all pointed to Delvin Kennedy, Neason Molony’s right-hand man, but it seemed off. Not to mention Delvin Kennedy disappeared almost immediately after Mom’s murder, and hasn’t been heard from since. I did have one lead I want to check out in Westin. It is my last chance of putting an end to this nightmare.
“I have a lead in Westin I plan to check out tomorrow morning. I’ve cleared the week in my schedule. I’m not sure how long I’ll be down there. It just depends on what I find.”
Ardon nods, intertwining his fingers together in front of him. “Who will you take with you?”
I shrug and prop my elbows on the table. “It won’t take long. I was going to head out alone.”
Ardon and Ronan both narrow disapproving gazes at me, but I maintain my confident demeanor. They should be used to my desire to work alone by now.
“Ye know how unsafe that is, son?” Ronan’s voice breaks the silence. “Let Sean or Ethan travel with ye.”
I shake my head. “I don’t need them, not for this. It’s probably another dead end anyway. If it ends up being more than that I’ll call one of them in before I make a move.”
“Will you be able to resist?” Ardon’s stern tone speaks volumes of his disapproval.
I nod and start to respond when Ronan lifts one hand to stop me.
“Take Kaci with ye. I’m always telling her to be more involved, and I’ve set up a meeting for her with a new girl to work at Clovers. She can tag along, and then we won’t have to worry about ye being alone. Obviously I still expect a call at the first sign of trouble. Kaci won’t be much help in a fight.”
My chest squeezes tightly. A week alone with Kaci, with the girl I’ve spent the majority of my life fantasizing over, will be hell on my restraint. I nod and lean back in my chair.
“It’s settled then. I’ll watch out for Kaci during her meeting while I work my business.” I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back the smile that’s begging to be released.
Ronan shakes his head and rubs at his temples before locking his eyes back on mine. “If anything happens to my daughter I will kill you. And keep ye hands to yourself.” His voice is drowned in regret and I know he wishes he hadn’t made the suggestion now.
But Kaci would have to go with someone anyway. She would never be allowed to travel that far on her own. She isn’t allowed to travel outside of Palms, without protection, period.
Just then the sliding metal door screeches open and Dylan stumbles in, followed by Ethan. They both look like hell as they take their seats at the table.
“What did we miss?” Ethan’s voice is scratchy and harsh, instead of his usually smooth tone.
Ardon grins at him, amusement and pride obvious in his gaze. “Troy is taking Kaci to Westin.”
Two sets of wide eyes shoot to my face, but I school my expression to one of indifference. They both know how into Kaci I am, but they also know how much she lacks that same attraction to me.
Sean speaks up for the first time, breaking the silence. I take a deep breath, breathing in the dusty smell of gravel and dirt. “We have another matter to attend to.”
Ronan nods, his expression solemn before he looks at Sean. “We need either Sean or Ethan to follow Dylan on his run today. We received word there will be an ambush. We need to keep Dylan pr
otected, and still ensure this deal is made unhindered.”
My stomach drops to the floor, and by the semi-green shade coloring Dylan’s face he feels it too. “How will one of them stop a fucking ambush?” My voice is laced with anger and concern for my best friend.
Ardon shoots me a look that tells me to remember who the fuck I am talking to; I’m not leading this table yet.
“They won’t be alone.” Ronan continues. “We are sending in a few of the lackeys loaded down with weapons. We need one of the boys on the front-line with Dylan to ensure everything runs smoothly. The lackeys will take out any men surrounding the area. We need one of the boys to make sure our message gets sent back to Molony.”
I breathe in a sigh of relief and nod before lacing my hands behind my head.
“I’ll go.” Sean speaks up and Ethan looks a little relieved, but I pretend not to notice.
A soft knock rasps against the metal door and echoes through the empty space. Halting conversation as Ronan stands and walks over to pull the door open to reveal a fresh-looking Kaci in a pale blue sundress.
My heart stops and my gaze refuses to leave hers until Ronan steps between us and blocks my view. I shift back to the boys and they all have knowing smirks on their lips. I flip them off and mutter a “fuck you” under my breath.
Her scent assaults me first as she gently sits down in the seat across from me, next to her father. Ronan turns toward her in his seat, and his voice lowers to an even softer lilt I only ever hear when he speaks to her.
“Ye meeting in Westin tomorrow, the one I told you about,” he searches her eyes to make sure she is following the conversation until she nods softly and he continues. “You’ll be going with Troy.”
Her whole body tenses up and her gaze shoots to mine. I bite my cheek to keep from smiling at the tense look on her face. “Are you sure--“
Ronan cuts her off with a soft touch to her chin to bring her face back to his. “Troy is needed in Westin anyway. He will take care of ye, keep ye protected. I need ye protected.” Liquid lines the inside of his eyes and she nods and places a hand over his where it now rests on her cheek.