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“Ye’re a feckin’ arsehole, Rebel.”
“Aye.” I nod with a smile. “Everyone keeps tellin’ me that. Must be true.”
The mood has lightened, but there’s still the dead body we need to clean up in the basement.
I look at Monster. “Did Bragan tell ye anythin’ important?”
He shakes his head. “Not really. He was still adamant it’s his missus that’s givin’ all the orders. He carried them out because he’s a good, obedient soldier. Somehow, I don’t believe it.”
“Well, we do know she took over the organisation. Maybe she’s still runnin’ shite from lock-up.”
It’s a suggestion we’ve considered already. After Sinéad was arrested, she admitted to bein’ the brains behind the operation. She said Bragan was nothin’ more than a shield to hide behind.
“She’ll never get out, but it’s still not over, because the mob will appoint someone to take Patrick’s place, no matter what,” Monster warns, and I know he’s right.
“Aye,” Hades agrees. “I can start workin’ with Tye and look into who’s next in line. I’m ready fer another night of questionin’ down in the basement.”
Hades hands are bloodied, yet he’s already on edge fer more violence. The bastard is a good man, and I know he’ll die fer any of the brothers, but at times, I wonder what the feckin’ hell happened ta him.
“Go,” Monster orders. “I’ll head downstairs with Rebel and clean up. Sully, you want ta leave today?”
“I need time off, but I don’t think I’ll fly out fer a while. I have some shite I want ta work through first.”
I think Sully has had some feckin’ trauma in his past that’s broken him. I don’t know his backstory, but I can only imagine it’s somethin’ dark.
“If ye need anythin’, just ask,” Monster tells him. “And you bring Clover home when ye find her.”
Sully offers us a grin. “Thank you. I didn’t think she’d be welcome here after she lied and I hid it from ye.”
“Aye, well,” Monster sighs. “We’re family, and nothin’ changes that. We don’t turn our back on our own. We all make mistakes. Miren and Callia are both related to that dead bastard in the basement, but they’re good girls. And so is Clover. We can’t choose whose blood runs through our veins, but we can decide what we do with it.”
I ponder this fer a moment. It’s true. I was so angry at Callia when she chose to go with Bragan, but she was tryin’ ta keep everyone else safe. She wanted ta protect Miren. We haven’t yet spoken about that time, and I know we’re goin’ta have ta. Maybe I can ask Monster’s advice on how the feck to do it.
We say our goodbyes ta Sully before I follow Monster down into the basement that reeks of death. In the chair, his head lolled to one side, is Patrick Bragan. The once strong, violent leader of the Irish mob is now nothin’ more than worm food.
“I’ve claimed Callia,” I blurt out suddenly ta Monster without thinkin’ too much about it.
He’s the President of the club and needs ta know what’s happenin’. Especially when his VP has now taken on an old lady.
“Finally,” Monster replies before turnin’ ta me. “And ye’re sure ye’re ready fer somethin’ more permanent. Ye know that girl’s in love with ye.” His tone turns serious, and I know there’s no jokin’ now.
“Aye,” I answer him with a nod. “She’s mine, and I’m not walkin’ away from her. I’ve waited seven years. I don’t know why it’s taken me this long ta finally take that step, but it’s the right time.”
There are no more doubts in my mind. I used ta tell myself she’s too young, and she deserves better. But if I want to keep her safe, the only person I trust her with is me.
“Then I’ll support ye both.”
Monster grips my shoulder, offerin’ it a squeeze of reassurance, and then we get ta work. The place is a mess, and I know it’s goin’ta take a while to clean.
But it’s finally over.
No more feckin’ drama.
Just me and Callia from now on.
EIGHT
CALLIA
We’re officially a couple. We’ve been together for almost two months.
With Rebel out on a job fer the past week, I’ve been doin’ some extra shifts at O’Hagans. I work there most nights, but I’ve always known waitressin’ isn’t goin’ta get me far in the long term. I’ve thought about maybe trainin’ ta be a teacher. Last year I told Rebel, and he suggested I look at what qualifications I’ll need in order ta get a teaching diploma. I haven’t done anything about it yet. I’m allowin’ myself time ta figure out what it is I really want ta do with my life.
“Are ye ready fer yer man ta be back today?” Miren asks as she walks into the lounge where I’m sittin’ cross legged on the sofa.
