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After we fill Harper in on the updates about our mother and I pull the soda bread out of the oven, the four of us sit in the kitchen, Harper still perched cross-legged on the island where Ronan sat her, laughing and smiling as we eat breakfast. For a while, everything feels normal. Like the world isn’t falling apart around us. I often catch myself or Ronan and Finn just staring at her. Admiring everything that she is. As conversation floats through the apartment, I wonder if this is when my life truly changes. If this is the point in my life where I will think, there was either before Harper or after Harper. The thought only intensifies my feelings for her.
Our bubble bursts in an instant as the sound of Ronan’s phone ringing fills the apartment, an unknown number on the screen. “It’s Patrick.”
38
Ronan
“It’s Patrick.”
The three of them sit up straight, ready to hear what he has to say. Usually, I would take this kind of call in the seclusion of my office, prepared to deal with whatever fallout lies ahead on my own. But not today. Today I’ll take this call in front of my family. The four of us are prepared to take on the world together.
I hit accept, quickly put it on speaker, and set the phone on the counter. I feel Harper’s hand rub across my shoulder blades from her spot on the counter, silently comforting and calming me as best she can.
“Patrick.” I greet him.
“Ronan. Sorry it took me a while to get in contact with you. I had to be sure nothing would get back to Declan. But from the sounds of your last message, it sounded urgent, so I’ll cut right to the chase.” The four of us share quick glances at one another, waiting for him to confirm what we already know. “Your father has made a deal with Delcan.”
“Yes, we already know this.”
“No. I don’t think you do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I bite out. Anxious for him to get to the fucking point.
“In exchange for handing over the woman–”
“Harper.” I correct him, growing rapidly more annoyed.
“Yes, Harper. In exchange for handing over Harper, Whelan has agreed to not only back off your syndicate in New York and pay your father the reward but also help your father regain control of your territory and push you lads out.”
“What?”
“If I had to guess, the only reason Declan would have agreed to such a deal is because he recognizes the power the three of you have. He was never afraid of your father, and until you took control, your father was easy enough to push around. If I were a betting man, I’d wager that Declan will sit back while Liam takes care of you three, only to take care of Liam himself once he rises to power. It’s a win-win for Liam either way. You boys will be gone, he will be able to get rid of Declan, and he will look like the all-powerful leader that took over the McDermott empire, all the while eliminating any other possible heir to his throne. It’s not a bad plan, honestly, except for one thing.”
“And what’s that?” Mac asks.
“Well hello, Cormac. I’m assuming Finn is there as well?”
“Get on with it, Patrick.”
“We want Declan gone.”
“Why?” Harper asks before widening her eyes and covering her mouth with both hands. I reach out and squeeze her thigh, giving her a reassuring smile, letting her know that it’s okay she spoke.
A soft chuckle comes from the line, but he picks the smart road and chooses not to acknowledge her. I’d hate to kill someone who’s just trying to help us. “Because this bullshit has gone on long enough. He has spent years exacting his version of revenge on the McDermott syndicate. Ever since he murdered Freya and Aidan after your mother gave them a safe haven from him,” a pained expression takes over Harper’s face before she shoves it down, “He has made it his life mission to fuck with you all in every way possible. Not only that but he’s gone off the deep end since he found out about Harper. He has chosen to neglect all of his other duties and has wasted countless men and resources to fulfill his own fucking vendetta. Our organization has grown weak; everyone sees it except him and his few remaining disciples.”
“How do we know we can trust you?” I ask the question everyone else is thinking.
“Because brother, you and I are the same. We want what’s best for families and our organizations, and right now, he’s destroying mine.”
“Who’s to say that you won’t just come after us as soon as our father and Liam are out of the picture?”
“I have no ulterior motive here besides eliminating Declan. I have been basically running the syndicate for the last year. All that crazy bastard does is hide away in his office with his cronies and make plans against you and yours. He has hardly a single clue what’s going on besides that. I’m doing the best I can, but without him out of the picture, our rivals in Ireland will continue to step all over me. They know I only hold so much authority. Furthermore, I don’t give a flying fuck what you do about your father, nor do I care about Harper. Harper…”
“Yes…” I grind my molars over the fact that he’s speaking directly to her now but hold myself back and let her speak for herself. My baby is stronger than we think.
“Do you want anything to do with the Whelan syndicate? Do you want to come to Ireland and take over? If you do, tell me right now, and I will do everything I can to ensure you are successful. I will step back and let the rightful heir take over.”
“No.” She answers without hesitation. “I don’t want any of it. I want to stay here, in New York. I want to stay with them.”
