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I nod in agreement. I always pay the bills on time. I'll do whatever I can to ensure I have payment, including not having food myself. "So, Da's not going to be able to hold that over me again?"
He shakes his head. "Nope. No more."
I sigh with relief. "Thank God. He's been saying that at least three times a week before you got here. So he's gone. Did he even say anything before he left?"
"Nope. Just the usual bullshit of being disrespected in his house and how he's the man of the house and should be given the respect he deserves."
My lip curls in disgust. "He should learn that respect is earned, not demanded. It pisses me off that he doesn't give a fuck about the kids."
"Him nor Ma. What the hell are they thinking?" He shakes his head. "I called her, you know?"
I blink, surprised by his words. "You did?" I ask, wondering if she answered him or if she's been ignoring him like she does me and the others.
"She answered, acting as though nothing’s happened. She was cheery, Al, fucking cheerful as could be."
"Lovely," I reply dryly.
"That facade obviously changed when I questioned her about her whereabouts. Imagine her surprise when I told her I was at home with the kids and she was nowhere to be seen."
I'm not surprised she tried to play it off. Ruairi was always her favorite and she never hid that from anyone.
"You were right. She's got a new fella and they're living it up right now. From what I gather, they're in England. She told me she won't be back and that she's finally looking after herself. Whatever the fuck that means."
I sigh. "How the hell am I supposed to tell the girls? It's going to break them."
He nods in agreement. "All we can do is be honest with them. They're not stupid, Al, you've said so yourself. The girls are smart and they know something's been going on. So we need to let them know. We can keep out the shit they don't need to know, but they do deserve to have some information."
I groan. "That's going to be a great conversation to be had."
"I'll have it with them. You're working tonight. While you're at work, I'll tell them all. What do we tell Evie?"
I glance away as tears spring to my eyes. "She needs to know," I whisper, hating that we're going to break a six-year-old girl's heart. "They need to know about both Ma and Da. I don't want them holding out hope that either of them are going to change. We did that for long enough. I want them to have a happy childhood, Ruairi. I don't want them to lie awake at night wondering if tonight's the night Da will be home and sober for once. It's not the way I want any of them to live."
It wrecked me by believing the lie that my parents sold me. It rocked to me to the core to find out just how fucked up our family life was and I never want to put my siblings through that. They’re content right now with how things are, but I know they’re going to ask questions and the truth could send them spiraling. They've dealt with the bullshit from our parents long enough. No more. I don't want them to be hurt again.
CHAPTER7
PREACHER
"Yo, Preach," Py says as he enters the club office.
I've spent the majority of the day finishing off beefing up security here. After learning that more than a few men have been handsy with the dancers, I put a stop to it. It’s been four months and we’re almost finished with the upgrades to the security.
I raise my head from the computer and look at him. He's fucking happy. I never thought I'd see my brother look so in love, but he is, and I'm happy for him. He's changed a lot since meeting Chloe. He even got new teeth, replacing the ones that had been knocked out due to fighting. He still looks dangerous, like he'd kill you with one hand—something he can and has done—but he's not as rough around the edges.
"Your girl... everythin' okay there?" he asks.
Raptor repeated everything he saw go down between Ailbhe and I the night we were talking outside the club. But he didn't just tell one person. No, the motherfucker told the entire club.
"What'cha mean?" I ask as I stare at him.
"Have you seen her today?" he questions, and I shake my head. "Then I advise you to go and do that. Brother, brace yourself."
Fuck.
I get to my feet, worry coursing through me. My steps are heavy and filled with purpose as I prowl through the club. I scan the area and see she's just finished up a lap dance. Knowing that some guy is getting turned on by her, pisses me off, but she's not mine, and there's nothing I can do to stop her.
It’s been four months and I’ve kept my distance. The woman deserves a lot better than someone who’s as fucked up as I am. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been watching her. Even though I’m keeping away, I always find that I’m drawn to her.
