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“It’s supposed to be comforting her, not you getting your rocks off,” Seamus snaps at him.
Connor nods. “Right, so you just get her off and hold her?”
That doesn’t sound too hard. I could do that. I’m not sure I completely understand the wholeshe gets off, I don’tpart, but I could try. Seamus’s eyes flutter closed.
“Jesus, give me strength,” he mutters. Opening his eyes, he glares fiercely at his cousin. “No one gets off. You just lie down next to her and hold her. Fucked if I know why, but it seems to fucking help them calm down.”
Connor looks dubious now. “Wouldn’t getting off be a quicker -.”
He cuts off midsentence, ducking when Seamus throws a flick knife at his face.
“Everyone fuck off out of here,” he snaps. “I’m done with this fucking conversation.”
Probably for the best. I need to see to these gamblers and get to the bottom of this mess with Lauren.
Chapter Five
PADDY
A grunt of pain rings in my ears as I drive my fist into the man’s stomach. Air expels from his lips as he doubles over, clutching his middle.
“One week,” I growl at him. “You don’t front the cash by then, we’ll be paying you another visit, and next time,hegets a shot at you.”
I jerk my head at Niall, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest, scowling at the piece of shit who has sunk to all fours, moaning on the floor at my feet.
The weak prick’s eyes flicker over at Niall, and he pales with fear. I imagine being threatened with a visit by the Reaper of the Boston Irish Mafia would be enough to make you shit yourself.
I aim a hard kick at his solar plexus, and he collapses, curling himself into a fetal position, trying to protect himself from my swinging feet.
“One week,” I threaten again before we take our leave.
It’s almost midnight when Niall and I wrap up Connor’s list. Really, the man needs to be clearer with his gamblers. I wouldn’t be letting them leave the room upstairs at Oracle without paying. Then again, that might be why Seamus gets his cousin to run the tables, not me.
Dropping Niall to his West Boston condo building, I drive to Back Bay, parking and sliding out of my SUV. The plushly carpeted hallways of the building are silent. It’s one of the reasons I picked this place twelve years ago when I moved out of Sean Fitzpatrick’s West Roxbury home.
Seamus bounced around for a while before buying his house in West Roxbury, where he still lives, but I moved here. There are too many memories in West Roxbury, and I’m not ready to revisit any of them.
Wondering if Lauren will still be here, I let myself into my apartment. The lights are off, but when my eyes adjust, Lauren is visible, curled up on the sofa, fast asleep.
Something weird curdles low in my stomach at the sight of her. Sitting uncomfortably, it’s a strange feeling, so I shrug it off, gently closing the front door behind me.
Sighing, I quietly stalk across the room, gathering her in my arms as I move her into the bedroom. It doesn’t seem right for her to sleep on the sofa when there is a perfectly good bed in the other room.
As I try not to jostle her, Lauren murmurs something but doesn’t wake, rubbing her cheek against my shirt, and I smell vanilla again. I deposit her in the bed, tucking the comforter around her shoulders, and stare down at her.
Fuck it. Fucking Fitzy. Kicking off my shoes, I strip down to my fitted cotton trunks and lift the comforter to climb into the bed with her.
I hesitate, holding up the comforter, taking stock of the situation. What the fuck am I even doing? Letting Fitzy get all up in my head is what. Climbing into the bed, I slide an arm underneath her neck, shuffling closer until our sides are pressed together.
It’s uncomfortable as fuck. I don’t see how this is supposed to make someone feel better? I think I’m doing it wrong. I should abort mission and go and sleep on my fucking too-small sofa like I did last night.
I shift, starting to slide my arm back out, when Lauren mumbles again, rolling toward me. A hand lands on my bare chest, and she presses herself against me, half lying on my chest. Her cheek is rubbing against my collarbone, and she snuggles closer, butting her head underneath my chin. I freeze for a moment, sighing and wrapping my arms around her.
I feel awkward as fuck, but at least it’s not an uncomfortable position anymore. Closing my eyes, the smell of vanilla envelops me. I fall asleep quicker than I ever have in my life.
LAUREN
As I wake up, I realize slowly that Paddy has moved me to the bed again. I’m no longer curled up on his sofa. I’m stretched out on the firm and comfortable mattress.
