Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
She sighed and settled back into my embrace, mollifying me a bit. Tommy sat across from us on another black, leather couch. He folded his arms across his chest and looked directly at me when he spoke. “Trouble’s already brewing. Sean’s been running the trafficking side of the business for a while now, and he’s got them convinced he’s in charge now, spreading the word of his engagement to the O’Reilly heir.”
I practically snarled at Tommy, but Carly put a hand on my thigh, slowly rubbing it, soothing my ire. She was there, in my arms, and she was mine.
“Stall the ball, for feck’s sake,” he condescended, rolling his eyes. He looked to Carly then. “As for the drugs, the word of your backing from the DeLucas has gotten out. But I still think you’re going to run into some trouble shutting things down. You can’t be hidin’ out, but I suggest you get some major security in place until things calm down.” He paused and his eyes bounced between Carly and me a couple of times. “What do you plan on doing about the gun running?” he asked warily.
Carly waved a hand dismissively. “We’ll leave it to the DeLucas.” We hadn’t fully discussed what sides of the business she wanted to hang onto, but I wasn’t surprised. She was smart enough to know it was the best solution. “I want to stick with the antiquities and stones.”
Again, not a surprise to me. Carly was a talented thief, and if there was any area where she would truly excel, it was dealing in high-priced, stolen merchandise.
“As far as our legitimate enterprises,” she continued, “I want the drugs out of the pubs and we’re going to expand. I want three more pubs opened in the next two years.” She kept talking, explaining her plans, and not only was I unbelievably impressed, it was turning me the fuck on.
Tommy listened intently, and I could see he also had great respect for my woman. There wasn’t an ounce of lust in his gaze and it very slightly appeased me at knowing they would be working together. But I was still going to make him go through me. Anyone who needed to get to Carly would be going through me. It’s why Nic and I had already started the transition of replacing me as his number two.
Finally, our talk of business concluded, and I was ready to show McKinnon the door. I was so hard it was painful and I was desperate to be buried deep inside my woman. But Tommy seemed to have something else on his mind.
“What is it, McKinnon? Spit it out.”
“What do you intend ta do about Sean?”
My eyes narrowed and my voice was deadly when I responded, “What do you think I’m going to do, Tommy? He’s a threat to my fiancée”—Tommy flinched at the word and I inwardly smiled with glee, even though Carly stiffened beside me—“and anyone who becomes a threat to her will find themselves taking a dirt nap.”
Chapter Twelve
CARLY
“You’re a strong man,” I murmured as soon as Tommy left Brandon and I alone. “Powerful in your own right.”
“I am.”
I was glad he didn’t deny it since there was no point. He’d worked hard to gain the reputation he’d built within the DeLuca family. Earned the fear he instilled in others. He was unapologetic about who and what he was. It was part of what drew me towards him, the edge of danger he exuded while still managing to make me feel safe. It was quite the heady combination. Well, that, and the insane amount of chemistry which sizzled between us, even when we’d first met and he was acting like a complete bastard. But his strength and reputation were also one of the things that concerned me most when I thought about our future together.
“Taking over my da’s role as the head of the O’Reillys is going to be tough as hell. There will be some who will balk at following a woman, even if she’s the only one of them who had the balls to off big, bad Pat O’Reilly.” Sarcasm was thick in my tone since we both knew I wasn’t the one who’d killed my da. Then again, neither of us were in doubt that I would’ve, if given the chance, regardless of the regret it might have caused me in the future. It didn’t matter either way, because as far as my family and the rest of the dark world we inhabited knew, I was a bitch enough to have killed my own father.
“They can balk all they want. It’s not going to change a damn thing. Not with Nic behind you and me at your side,” he grumbled, pulling me onto his lap.
His confidence was astounding. I wished I had some of it. “And how’s that going to work exactly? If we get married right away, while I’m still finding my place, don’t you think it will make me look weak? Like I need to stand behind a man to lead my family?”