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“It’s good to be back actually.”
That wasn’t a lie.
I have a lot of responsibilities in New York now, which I haven’t liked so much, but in all honesty, I’ve missed home and my family.
Even Kitty.
Not Lucas, though. I didn’t have a chance to miss him with how fucking often he called to moan at me for taking too long to bring Belle back to the city.
“What made you come here with her, son?” she inquires, her brow puckering. “Is it serious?”
Ignoring that last question, I answer, “Because this is my home and I didn’t feel like staying in a hotel.” It’s not a total lie. This isn’t the first time I’ve brought a hookup home and she’s never given me the third degree like this before. Or the woman either.
Why is Belle different?
Is it becauseI’mdifferent around her?
“There’s more to this than meets the eye.”
My mouth opens to deny it, but I realize that’d be gaslighting her. Instead, I duck my head and mumble, “It’s work-related.”
Her gaze turns knowing, like that’s enough to confirm her suspicions. “Will it hurt that poor girl even more?”
“I don’t intend on hurting her.”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
I sigh. “I’m going to work on making sure she isn’t hurt.”
“Better answer.”
“Don’t tell Lucas I’m here, Ma.”
Her eyes narrow. “Why not?”
“Because if he knows I’m here, then I have to act, and I don’t want to yet.”
“Why not? Have you gotten her into trouble?”
The question makes my lips twitch. “No, Ma. She isn’t pregnant.”
“Praise Jesus for small mercies,” she retorts. “You boys will be the death of me. What, with Lucas working all hours and you deciding to drop off the face of the earth for weeks on end! Why can’t you be like my girls? That’s what I want to know.”
I don’t answer that. Don’t tell her that “her girls” are not only as bad as “her boys,” but her girls also get to have more of a chance at leading a normal life than Lucas or I.
We had two options when we were eighteen—join the Army or the Irish Mob.
At least with the mob, you get to wear slick suits and earn expensive condos as bonuses.
Not wanting to upset her, I slide my arm around her shoulder and drag her into me for a hug. “You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself if you weren’t worrying about Lucas and me.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll tell my doctor that when he adjusts my blood pressure medication, shall I? You think you kissed the Blarney Stone, that’s your trouble, but you forget only your da knew how to activate it in me. I’ve got a monitor for your nonsense.”
My lips twitch even as I ask, “How is your heart?”
“Beating just fine, thank you very much. Not that you help my blood pressure stay low.”
A raucous wave of laughter sounds from down the hall.
