AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It is. You always wanted his approval. Believed him to be some larger-than-life hero. I never had a chance at getting his acceptance.” Which made it easier for her to come to terms with the truth. So much mess, such a small family. “My instinct is to apologize.”
“For not telling me the truth about your attackers?”
“That was a dark period. It screwed my head up. I shrugged it off, even when Conn called me on it.”
The angle of his chin shifted. “You talked to him?”
“I talk to him every day.”
“Talk to him about important things. You didn’t tell the rest of us the truth, but he knew, didn’t he? You confide in him?”
“Yes. Which you’ll probably say is a mistake.”
“Does he help?”
“Help?”
“From my perspective, the guy’s a violent mobster.”
“Maybe change that perspective, Lach. Forget about whatever he does or doesn’t do for a living.”
“And instead?”
“Think of him as the man your little sister loves. The man she’s planning a future with. The one who takes care of me. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for me, Lach. He loves me. Why can’t you trust my judgment?”
“I’m here,” he said, gesturing around with his free hand. “That’s progress.”
Baby steps. If each man did their part, maybe they’d end in middle ground.
A bunch of McDade guys piled in, bringing noise with them.
“Club’ll be opening soon,” she said. “You get your wish, want to come upstairs? There’s no food here, but we can order in. You’d be amazed how fast they deliver.”
“Wonder why that is.”
When Biggs split from the entering gang, she crept around the bar. As they approached each other, Biggs squeezed the back of her neck.
“Lookin’ for a job, Bluebell?”
“I’m not allowed to mix with the masses.”
“I remember. Doesn’t matter anyway, you’re needed upstairs.”
“Have I been bad?”
“Only if the boss is lucky.”
“Biggs, this is my brother Lachlan.”
“I know.”
“And I know you know, but this is formal introductions.”
Their eyes met and though his lower lip curled around his teeth, Biggs eventually clucked his tongue and offered a hand.
“Biggs,” he introduced himself.
She held her breath and almost whooped when after a quick glance Lachlan put his hand in Biggs’ to shake.
