Page 84 of Niall

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That was much the same as I felt about you. But you don’t have to consult me on this, Finn. I’m not part of the syndicate anymore.”

I laughed, picking up my coffee cup and taking a sip. “I’m aware. But we’re friends. Colleagues. I trust your judgment.”

He smiled. “Our wives would say more than friends.” He took a drink of his coffee. “I suppose I would as well.”

In the years since Una had been taken, a strong relationship had developed between our families. Our wives were friends. We had become friends. Holidays and celebrations were shared.

It was unusual, but not unheard of within the syndicate.

He looked around. “I noticed no mention was made of O’Reilly’s.”

I shook my head. “I’m keeping it. I have the right management in place to run it day-to-day. I’ve hired a great overseer for the casino. Very personable. She came highly recommended and has impressed me. I’ll come into the city every week to handle anything necessary, but otherwise, I’ll be a figurehead.” I drained my cup. “And I will keep my suite in case we want to come into town and stay. And Una can sing when she wants to.”

He shook his head. “You really plan on staying home with Nolan?”

Simply the mention of my son’s name made me smile. Nolan James O’Reilly had screamed his way into the world and immediately burrowed himself into my heart. The moment I held him, I knew I wanted him to have more than I had as a child. I wanted to give him choices. Options I was never given. I didn’t want him brought up in a world of danger.

Long before we’d learned she was pregnant, Una and I had been in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a break. Out for a walk, we’d found a huge old Victorian house for sale. Una stood staring at it, and I knew she’d found her dream property. I bought it for her, and we spent millions renovating it and turning it into a small boutique hotel. Ten rooms, each one unique. A dining room that was so sought-after, it had a waitlist of over a year. Guests were given a reservation with their room, and locals lined up hoping a client wouldn’t use their given time slot, but it rarely happened. Five tables were available for non-hotel guests, and there was never an empty spot. Una ran the hotel like a seasoned pro, and I was so proud of her I couldn’t contain it.

We’d also bought a piece of land not far from Roman’s estate and built a house. I didn’t want her commuting every day, and I started adjusting my time spent in Toronto, unknowingly starting the process of distancing myself.

Once we discovered she was pregnant, I knew my time with the syndicate was ending. I began the quiet course of finding the right person to take over my spot within the organization. I’d planned on working full time, but once my son was born, I decided he was more important. Una loved what she did. She thrived living her lifelong dream, and I didn’t want to take that from her.

So, for the next while, I would be a hotel owner and full-time caregiver to my son.

The door opened, and Niall strolled in, a baby carrier strapped to his chest, his baby daughter snuggled safely in the material. She was the spitting image of Anna, from her golden curls to her tiny form. Niall was as enraptured with her as he was with her mother.

I chuckled at the sight, although it wasn’t a rare one. He was as hands-on with his child as I was with mine. An added bonus was that I was her godfather, and I took the honor seriously. She had two very protective men watching over her.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

He grinned, stroking the soft curls on Keira’s head. “Anna’s overseeing the packing.”

Roman stood, peering down at Keira. She was six months older than Nolan. Anna and Una were still incredibly close, and I was certain would remain so the rest of their lives. It somehow didn’t surprise anyone when they were both pregnant so close together.

“Keep the babies away from Effie,” he groaned. “She’s been talking about another one, thanks to you lot. I’m too old for another child, and I have no desire to have my vasectomy reversed. My two keep me plenty busy. Plus, Aldo’s kids are always at my place, so it’s crazy with five of them running around, taking over the house all the time.”

We laughed, knowing he didn’t mean any of it. If Effie wanted another child, he’d make it happen. And he loved the “houseful,” as he called them.

Niall sat down, cradling his daughter close, his tenderness for her apparent.

“Anna is so excited about moving,” he said, pointing to the coffeepot. I poured him a cup, and he took a long sip. “Being close to Una again.” He flashed a grin at Roman. “And Effie and Vi.”

He chuckled. “We’ll all be close now.” He sat back, resting his ankle on his knee. “Who knew all this would happen when we handed the territory over to you, Finn.” He waved his hand. “Some hellish moments, but what we’ve gained…” His smile was warm. “Priceless.”

Niall lifted a tiny hand to his mouth, kissing the knuckles of his daughter as he nodded, looking thoughtful. I knew he was thinking about Anna. She was never far from his thoughts. He was a devoted husband and father.

And I was anxious to return home, knowing Una and Nolan would be waiting for me. I still hated being away from Una, and now, with Nolan, I loathed leaving them at all. They were my entire world and always would be.

Our lives had changed, become richer because of the women we loved and the friends we had made.

And I was looking forward to the future. One free of the darker side of the world I’d lived in for so long. Filled with love. Laughter. More children.

I met Niall’s eyes, and we shared a silent conversation.

He was a constant by my side. Always loyal, always ready to follow my lead. More than a cousin—he was my brother.

It was time for a new path. For both of us. I owed him that, at the very least. Much more, actually, but we’d start there.

I tapped the file on my desk.

“I’ll finish this. As soon as possible.”

Niall stood and shook my hand. “To the future.”

I nodded. “The future.”

Roman joined us. “It’s never looked brighter.”

And as if to make sure we knew she had an opinion, Keira opened her eyes and made a little noise, lifting her fist and waving it, making us all grin. Niall tapped her knuckles. “We hear you, princess.”

Right there was our future.

Bright, indeed.