His father would rest in peace as soon as Samuel, his beloved son, pulled that rifle’s trigger— over and over.
40
“Come on, River! Get off your lazy ass,” Raven grabbed her hands and attempted to pull her off the couch. “This is my first night out since Daniel was born, and I want a shot of Bushmills stat!”
River hoisted herself up, attempting to shake off the tiredness that had been plaguing her for days. She laughed at Raven, who was practically jumping up and down in her excitement. Everyone was going out for a few hours, men included, since Delton had managed to eludealllaw enforcement.Nasty bastard.
Everyone was meeting in the Lobby— the ground floor’s newly christened name— River and Raven were the last to go down. River opted to stay with her sister while she pumped more breast milk. She said she’d been pumping extra the last few days so she could actually order a ‘big girl’ drink. Her assistant, Bre, was staying with Daniel while they went out. Well, Bre and two guards.
It was the new parents’ first time leaving their son with someone besides Nan for longer than an hour, but she and Devlen had gone home weeks ago. Matilda was also gone. She and her son had argued because she’d wanted to go back to Tulsa, but Hugh insisted she was safer with Diana, so, in a bit of a huff, she flew to France, where her friend had booked them a suite at the luxury spa, Chateau Des Vigiers. If nothing else, Mrs. Diana Gaines knew how to live a fabulous life.
Raven did one more hot lap to the nursery before gliding halfway to the front door on her return— very Tom Cruise inRisky Business. “Damn, Raven, I still can’t believe how fast your body bounced back.” Raven looked gorgeous in a black and crème wrap dress, which accentuated her hourglass shape. River almost wore a dress tonight but was feeling her black fitted chino capris, tennis shoes, black Deadmau5 t-shirt— the 3D mouse in white— and a light, black leather jacket. She purposely dressed after Patrick left their apartment. This was exactly the type of outfit that would turn her fiancé on.
“Oh, thanks. I hope my boobs remember their former size once I’m done breastfeeding,” Raven laughed, “but Bran seems enamored of them.”
“He’s enamored of all things Raven,” River lightly elbowed her sister as they walked downstairs.
“So true, but who could blame him?” Raven’s smile was contagious. Marriage and motherhood suited her.
They could hear everyone downstairs, the pre-party in full swing. Raven stopped walking and took River’s arm to stop her as well. “Should I ask Bran to ask Hugh to stay home?” At River’s wide eyes, she hurriedly added, “I know, I know. Jesus, I would feel horrible, but this will be just another evening of misery for Rowan.”
River breathed out a weary sigh and leaned against the balustrade, crossing her arms in thought. “I know. Hugh makes it worse every time too! He runs off menandwomen who get near her. Why does he do that? He doesn’t want her, so no one gets her then?”
“I had hoped his... intensity would lessen after he said he wouldn’t date her. So far, he seems more solemn, reserved, and miserable.” Raven threw her hands up in exasperation.
“The truth is, Rowan wouldn’t thank us for discussing this without her or trying to manage the situation.”
Raven’s shoulders slumped. She knew River was right. “I think we just need to have a few more girls’ nights where she has a chance to relax. Really relax. Even if it’s here at home. The Delton situation is the real problem. We wouldn’t always need the men and guards if that piece of cow shit was no longer a threat.”
“Okay, so patience and get Rowan alone time. Good plan. How about tonight? Since you know Bran and I won’t be out as late as everyone else, we could maybe get Hugh to leave if you and Patrick leave with us too. Then, even with Thomas and a few guards, Row could enjoy Jo and Saoirse.”
The plan was to walk to the Temple Bar pub since they were a big enough group— safety in numbers— and Rowan and Jo would still have plenty of protection once the five of them went home. “I’m totally down for that. Brilliant! I’m tired tonight anyway, so it’s a win-win.” They restarted their descent, Patrick and Bran meeting them at the bottom of the stairs.
“For fuck’s sake, Rave. If you wanted me to go out, then you shouldn’t have worn... something I want to rip off,” he finished, pulling his wife into his arms for what River assumed was an awkwardly long and inappropriate public kiss.
Riverassumedit because she was in the middle of her own awkwardly long and inappropriate public kiss. When Pat let her up for air, his hands somehow managed to grip her ass and pull her halfway up his body. The hooting and hollering from the Jo Gallery made River snort in amusement.
River traced a finger against Patrick’s blonde brow, only slightly darker than his hair. She let her lips linger near his mouth so she could whisper, “Tonight, we’ll have to use that third arm between your legs.” Laughing, she slid down his body, causing Patrick to moan at the friction.
“Speaking of my ‘arm,’ give me a minute for it to become unexcited about seeing you in that outfit. Damn it, River, you knew I’d be turned on.”
Chuckling, she fed him a truth bomb. “Spoiler alert, babe. Everything turns you on.”
Pinching her ass only made her laugh harder, “True, but that knowledge isn’t helping me get rid of my... problem.”
“Oh, of course. I’ve got your back, babe. Did I tell you Nan told the girls and me that Devlen is quite the beast in bed and?—”
“Don’t finish that sentence. Christ, River, that was cruel!”
Laughing, she ducked under his arm to join the family, telling him, “But you’re bonerless now. You. Are. Welcome.”
“Paybacks,” he threatened behind her.
* * *
The night hadeverything Patrick needed. His father, brother, and... River. They’d walked to the Temple Bar district, stopping at one of Dublin’s most popular pubs. Temple Bar Pub’s red façade was an inviting sight. Epic live music and whiskey— and River. It always came back to her for him.
She’d explained to Patrick that they needed to leave with Bran, Raven,andDad to give Row a breather. Two hours into the evening, River had nodded off on his shoulder, so leaving early wasn’t a problem. She’d barely touched her drink and hadn’t eaten a thing. She’d mentioned being tired earlier in the day. Patrick didn’t mind. River had roused enough to walk out of the pub, but once they were loaded in the SUV and she was cradled in his lap, it was lights out. He hoped she wasn’t coming down with something.
