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"Because I don't want him in the Five Points. He ain't made for this life, and I don’t want him to think he has to wade into this bullshit—"
Declan slumped back in his seat. "Oh. "
"Yeah. Oh. I'm protecting him. But also, it'll come in useful to have his influence where we need it."
"He's too proper for that," Brennan argued. "You won't get him to do anything he doesn't agree with."
"Good. But where family is concerned, he'll learn that some rules are meant to be broken." I arched a brow. "So, I want to work toward a path of respectability, you hear me?"
Silence fell at my declaration, but Finn was the first to say, "Aoife's bakery might be one way of achieving that."
"Why?"
"We associate good things with bakeries," he rumbled. "Warm memories. It's a nice front. It's Aoife's baby right now, but I know she has plans for the business. She’s more goal-oriented than you think.
"When Shay’s old enough, you get him on the board as well as a bunch of us, and we finance a nationwide expansion. All of a sudden, the O'Donnellys aren't associated with Acuig but with blondies and brownies."
I grinned at him. "I like it."
"Thought you might. I'll have to plan it out; I'll probably need your help with that, Con."
"Whatever," he said dismissively. "But if you think Aoife won’t mind, you’re whacked."
"Why would she care so long as the quality is there? I think she'd like it. Don't think she ever thought she'd be doing so well on her own anyway; I figure getting a couple bakeries statewide will be a dream come true, never mind the nation.
"With our financial backing, the sky's the fucking limit. Everyone in the country could be creaming themselves over her brownies—"
"Doesn’t she get Jen to do her books?" Conor interrupted.
"So?"
Kid snorted. "If she isn’t going to relinquish control on the books, what the hell makes you think she’ll let heryoungteenage nephew and brothers-in-law take control?"
"I’ll work on it."
"Please, do," Kid hooted. "Just don’t come around to my place when she kicks your audacious ass out."
Brennan shook his head. "I think it's a good idea. But, Aoife aside, it’s if you can get Shay on board. You forget, I'm the one who hangs out with him the most apart from Declan. He's not as malleable as you think."
"I don't think he's malleable," I argued, rocking back in my seat. "I think he's loyal, and it's his loyalty that will be tested when he wins because hewillwin.
"Da wanted a president in his lineage. That's something I'm going to give him."
Conor frowned at me. "Why that? In particular, I mean."
Wriggling my shoulders, I admitted, "I don't know. Just because he ain't around doesn't stop this stupid, pathetic need I have to impress him."
Brennan whistled between his teeth. "Can't lie, I feel that."
Eoghan tipped his head forward. "He fucked us up real good."
"Agreed. I owe that man dick, but it never stopped me from trying to earn his approval," Declan admitted.
Conor's gaze was firm as he looked at me. "We'll get you what you need, Aidan."
My lips quirked up at the corner. "We can but try, Kid." I shot Brennan a look. "We need to address the abilities of the men."
"You mean that they’re fucking useless?" Brennan questioned drolly.
