28

Oisin
We spent the night in each other’s arms, talking and clinging to each other. It was how we should have been spending every single night together. So close and intimate, and at night spilling secrets and dreams to each other in the barely-lit room.
Elena didn’t overindulge in conversation, but we spoke of her parents, her grandma, and her love of baking. She asked me about my parents, and I told her they’d been living in Ireland since I took over.
I told her they visit on holidays to see Aofie or that sometimes we fly out to visit them. She asked me if I was close with my parents and if I loved one more than the other, but I didn’t.
I told her they raised me well, loved me, and made me the man I am today. We spoke of little things, and she demanded she asks the questions since I knew everything about her.
She traced my wedding ring absentmindedly as she asked me as many questions as she could muster up before falling asleep on my chest. I didn’t move her. I didn’t even move. I stayed there, with her head lying on my chest, her hand still in mine, and I slept.
I slept, and it was peaceful and beautiful and so fulfilling. The following day we woke up early together, and it was soft and tender. She rolled over and stretched and then giggled when I kissed her back.
We mumbled out sleepy good mornings, and after cuddling in bed, we got up to get ready for the day. We stood side by side in my bathroom and exchanged smiles as we brushed our teeth or washed our faces.
She insisted that I not look at her while she changed, which had me swatting her ass with the towel before forcing her to get dressed in front of me.
We woke up Aofie together like some normal couple, and after helping her prepare for the day, we walked down to the kitchen together, where we baked the cake.
It was something I never thought I would do and enjoy, but seeing my wife and daughter so happy, made me want to consider doing this with them more.
Suarez woke up just in time for us to cut the cake, and Elena made us some coffee and left us to speak by ourselves outside by the pool. She kissed the side of my head before grabbing Aofie’s hand and walking her back inside.
I pulled out two Montecristo cigars and handed one to Suarez, who set his coffee down to reach for it.
When is your Russian friend coming ? He asked as he lit it.
Soon.
You trust this, Igor ?
I trust Igor with what I want to trust Igor with, I explained through a heavy exhale. My wife’s brother has been too quiet. When a man that impulsive is quiet for too long, Suarez, you know he’s being careful. If Enzo is careful, we need to be even more cautious.
Your wife is okay with you killing her brother ? He inquired.
No, but war is war. The day he waged war on my family, and I was the day he signed his death certificate.
Liam, Igor, Roman, and some of Igor’s armed men joined us a few minutes later. They crowded the garden area, and the five of us sat down and discussed our plans for Enzo and Jakob.
They wanted to draw him out and force him to attack us ; that way, we could attack our lands and have the home advantage, but it seemed too easy and predictable.
We need to act fast, Oisin, Roman said.
We need to be smart, not fast. Liam countered, taking the words right out of my mouth. Any fool can be fast and kill a few men, but a smart man can plot out every single point and cut off the head of the snake. That’s what we need. The Polish and Italian mafias are nothing without Enzo and Jakob dictating them. The Morellis have no one if Enzo dies. He’s the only son.
Who will take over the Italian’s routes and distributions ? Suarez asked.
My wife, I said without a thought.
They all looked up at me, and I sat straighter, challenging anyone to question me.
She is a Morelli. She has Italian blood coursing through her veins. When her brother falls, my wife will take over. The Polish dealings will be split up equally between us five, but the lead of the Italian family will be my wife. Everyone in favor of this, say aye.
Aye, Liam said, and I gave him a respectful nod.
Aye, Suarez said.
Aye, Roman said.
Aye, Igor was the last to say.
Good, I stated. Besides attacking the storefronts, stealing, and killing their men, what else can we do to draw Enzo or Jakob out ? We need to know what these men are doing at all times. Igor, Roman, do you have eyes on Jakob ?
Yes, of course, Roman said.
I have eyes on Enzo, and that’s how I know he’s been quiet for too long. Which only means he’s planning something big and soon. Keep your men on Jakob, and I’ll increase a few of my men on Enzo. We need to catch them off guard.
We turn them against each other, and then we attack. If they’re untrusting of each other, they’ll bound to make some mistakes. Once they start doubting each other, it’ll make their bond easier to sever.
Suarez, I want your men to find a way to disrupt their pattern. If we can get them to question their pact against us, we can use it to our advantage.
How many men did you bring ? Igor asked Suarez.
Suarez’s jaw visibly clenched. Suficiente. My men are skilled and trained.
(Translation : Enough)
This is war, Igor reminded him.
Are you doubting me ? Suarez asked tightly.
If Oisin trusts you, then I trust you, Roman said to lighten the tension between the two men.
We can’t afford to be fighting right now. We need to keep our heads on straight. War is brutal and biased. We need to be ready for anything and everything.
Let’s drink to this alliance, Liam said, standing up.
Yes, let me go inside and grab some of the best Irish whiskey you’ll have in your life. I stood up, patted Liam’s back, and headed back inside the house.
Is your meeting done ? Elena asked when she saw me walk in.
I pulled out a bottle of whiskey, and she helped me with the glass cups. Almost. She eyed the whiskey in my hand.
It’s like eleven in the morning.
You know what Ernest Hemingway said, I said, and she cocked her brow. Never delay kissing a pretty girl or opening a bottle of Whiskey.
I kissed her lips to prove my point, and she smiled against them. Then, she placed the two cups I couldn’t hold in my hand in my pockets and peered up at me.
Aofie is with Ms. Mary, and I’m going to nap in our room.
Okay.
A naked nap. She clarified, and I groaned in response.
Mo ghra amhain. I was close to dropping everything in my hands and following her upstairs.
She smirked and ran her hands over my suit. You’re a smart man, Oisin Callahan, so I expect you to be creative when you wake me up. She brushed her lips against my jaw before retreating and sauntering away.
Oh, I would be very, very creative when I met her upstairs. But, for now, I needed to head back outside and have a celebratory drink with my men. I didn’t know how long she’d nap, but I knew Fiona would be preparing lunch since Aofie’s class ended at two-thirty.
It was around one that Roman, Igor, and his men left. Liam hung out with Suarez until his wife called, to which he excused himself to his room to talk to her.
Are you staying for lunch ?
No, cousin. I’m going to head out. Check on business. Find a pretty girl at one of your clubs and persuade her to come home with me for a nooner.
Why don’t you just find a nice girl and settle down like your smart, older cousin ?
He pretended to be in thought. You’re right. Let me find a nice girl to stalk first. You stalked Elena for what ? Four years ? If I start now, I’d probably be shooting up her wedding and forcing her to marry me by the time I turn forty-four.
I reached over and smacked the back of his head.
Shut up. Keep up this attitude, and I’ll marry you to Maeve.
He grimaced at the mention of the girl who worked at the gun range. She’s insane. She almost shot me…twice !
He put up two fingers in emphasis, and I laughed at the memory. The bullets had barely grazed his shoulder and bicep.
When I asked her what the hell she was aiming for, she claimed she missed. Missed what ?