Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Roman walked her down the short aisle, placing her hand into mine. He was very fond of her, acting like the brother she missed—protective and caring. I was grateful for his presence in her life, knowing he would always watch over her if I wasn’t around. She could depend on him—we both could.
Our vows were short and simple, each of us planning on repeating the ones we’d made in private. I gazed down at my bride, and a wave of emotion hit me as I spoke. “Anna, you have completed my life. Made it full and rich. The parts of me I thought were broken you mended and made whole. I will love you fiercely until the day I depart from this earth.” I bent low, wiping a tear from her eye. “Every chance I get, I will love you.”
That made our small group laugh and Anna’s smile widen. Her dimple popped, and I knew she liked my promises. All of them.
Her words were much the same as they had been that day in Scotland, the love she carried for me soaked into her words.
I kissed her after, ignoring the clearing of the clergyman’s throat. I had to. She was too beautiful to resist.
I stepped back and he sighed. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride—again.”
And I did so with great gusto.
We had a private dinner, then headed to the room Roman had chosen for our reception. It was filled with other syndicate members, their families, some friends, and Roman’s crew and family. There was dancing and laughter. Some speeches. A beautiful cake.
And I got to dance with my wife. With her head nestled onto my chest, we swayed, our bodies pressed together. She wasn’t as relaxed as she had been in Ireland, but she was gracious and kind to everyone who congratulated us, accepting their well-wishes warmly. Still, when she asked how long we had to stay, I was only too pleased to tell her we could leave anytime.
No one would blame me for wanting my wife to myself.
I bent and kissed her. “A few more dances, mo mhuirnín. I know Finn wants to dance with you, and I need to take Mum for another turn on the dance floor.” I tickled her chin. “And I don’t think Roman would forgive me if I whisked you away without a dance.”
“Okay.” She beamed up at me.
“Then we’ll go. Tomorrow, we start a new chapter, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Our story is just beginning, Anna. And a happily ever after is guaranteed. I’ll make sure of it.”
Her dimple appeared again. “I know,” she whispered. “I love you.”
I bent and pressed my mouth to hers. “Always.”
FINN
Five years later
Roman looked over the documents, nodding as he closed the file. “Basically, the same transfer of power as we did with you,” he said.
“It is.”
“They were the first to offer men and support with the Una situation,” he mused.
“And his territories butt up against mine. He’ll simply absorb them under his protection.” I paused. “I like him as well. Marco Serrano has been nothing but up-front in his dealings.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That was much the same as I felt about you. But you don’t have to consult me on this, Finn. I’m not part of the syndicate anymore.”
I laughed, picking up my coffee cup and taking a sip. “I’m aware. But we’re friends. Colleagues. I trust your judgment.”
He smiled. “Our wives would say more than friends.” He took a drink of his coffee. “I suppose I would as well.”
In the years since Una had been taken, a strong relationship had developed between our families. Our wives were friends. We had become friends. Holidays and celebrations were shared.
It was unusual, but not unheard of within the syndicate.
He looked around. “I noticed no mention was made of O’Reilly’s.”
I shook my head. “I’m keeping it. I have the right management in place to run it day-to-day. I’ve hired a great overseer for the casino. Very personable. She came highly recommended and has impressed me. I’ll come into the city every week to handle anything necessary, but otherwise, I’ll be a figurehead.” I drained my cup. “And I will keep my suite in case we want to come into town and stay. And Una can sing when she wants to.”
He shook his head. “You really plan on staying home with Nolan?”
Simply the mention of my son’s name made me smile. Nolan James O’Reilly had screamed his way into the world and immediately burrowed himself into my heart. The moment I held him, I knew I wanted him to have more than I had as a child. I wanted to give him choices. Options I was never given. I didn’t want him brought up in a world of danger.
Long before we’d learned she was pregnant, Una and I had been in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a break. Out for a walk, we’d found a huge old Victorian house for sale. Una stood staring at it, and I knew she’d found her dream property. I bought it for her, and we spent millions renovating it and turning it into a small boutique hotel. Ten rooms, each one unique. A dining room that was so sought-after, it had a waitlist of over a year. Guests were given a reservation with their room, and locals lined up hoping a client wouldn’t use their given time slot, but it rarely happened. Five tables were available for non-hotel guests, and there was never an empty spot. Una ran the hotel like a seasoned pro, and I was so proud of her I couldn’t contain it.