Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Almost immediately after hanging up with Tiernan, my cell rings again. I assume it’s Rory, but Conan’s name pops up.
“Hey, you’re up early.”
“Never went to bed,” he replies, voice deep and rough. “I put some feelers out for you, and then Rian and I had some business to attend to. It lasted longer than we thought, but we got him to speak.”
I’m surprised Finan, another man from our organization, didn’t join them. He’s usually the one who likes that kind of stuff. “Nothing like a little torture,” I say softly.
“Something like that. About your issue, though, it was surprisingly easy to figure out. They’re new to the area, wannabe thugs. Steal cars, sell them or break them down for parts. The police are aware of their little organization but can’t seem to find them. Looks like a few of them go a bit rogue—I think those are your boys. Violent but with no control. I’ll text you some names. Still trying to nail down their known locations.”
“Thanks, man. You’re the best.”
“Yes,” he replies simply, making me laugh. “I told your father last night what I was looking into for you.”
“Shit,” I curse.
“He wants you to be careful,” Conan says.
My brain scrambles slightly at that, my body twitchy. “He said that?”
The silence on the other end is the only answer I need.
“It doesn’t count if you have to make shit up for him.”
“I’m not. He might not have said it in those words, but it’s what he meant.”
I roll my eyes. That’s the most bullshit answer I’ve ever heard. I glance up just as they’re bringing Ollie back. “Gotta go. They’re bringing my boy back. Send me those names.”
I end the call before Conan can get another word out.
*
It takes a few hours before Ollie is discharged, and my mind is distracted by both him and my father the whole time. I don’t fucking know why I let that shit get to me, why I obsess about a man who is in my life but doesn’t want to be a father. My brain doesn’t get that.
They give us a list of things Ollie needs to do for his head and his ribs. They also reiterate the signs to look for, and if any of them happen, we’re supposed to return to the hospital. I ask a few questions, and then we’re on our way, the nurse taking him downstairs in a wheelchair.
“I can walk,” he grumbles, crossing his arms. Ollie’s behavior tells me he isn’t used to being taken care of this way; either that or he just doesn’t like it.
“Aww, you’re so cute when you’re grumpy,” I tease.
The nurse squeezes Ollie’s shoulder with a smile. “He’s a keeper.”
I grin.
Ollie rolls his eyes.
It’s not until we’re in the car by ourselves that I tell him what’s going on. “I’ll bring you to your dorm to get your stuff before we head to my house. You’ll need to stay with us for a little while.”
“No. I’m not.”
Jesus. I knew this would happen. “Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m absolutely not. You don’t get to tell me what to do, Cillian. I don’t subscribe to your weird mini-mob hierarchy.”
I rub a hand over my face. I’m fucking exhausted, have a million things on my mind, and now I’ll have to argue with him. “You really need to stop calling us the mini mob.”
“Fine. As soon as you stop calling me kitten.”
Well, shit. I hadn’t thought that through. Mini mob it is. “I don’t know why you have to make everything difficult.”
“Not doing exactly what you say doesn’t mean I’m making things difficult. The world doesn’t revolve around you. I get that you and your cronies are used to getting your way. Everyone is afraid of you, and so they all fall in line with whatever you say, but that’s not me. I don’t care what you do to me because of it.”
My lips pull into a smile. I should be annoyed as fuck by him, and part of me is, but here he is, this nerdy, pre-law kid, who has never seen a day of violence in his life until yesterday, standing up to me. It’s…refreshing.
“We’re not going to hurt you. Stop saying that shit. And fine, then, change of plans. We’ll swing by the house and grab my things, and I’ll stay with you.”
He gasps. “What? No! You’re not staying with me.”
“Make up your mind, Kitten. Because one way or another, you’re not leaving my side. Your dorm or our house. You pick.”
“I only have one bed.”
I grin. “I think I would be an excellent cuddler. I’ve never done it before. Maybe you can teach me.”
“Oh my God. There is something wrong with you.” He turns his head, looking out the window.
Guilt immediately weighs me down. “I’m not going to force myself on you, and I’ll sleep in a fucking chair. I was giving you shit, but I won’t change my mind about staying together. I don’t care if I’m outside your door, I’m going to be there. The doctor doesn’t want you alone for a couple of days, and I intend on making sure that happens. And I’m not trying to be a dick here, but we don’t know if those guys from last night were just trying to scare you when they took your IDs or if they’re planning on coming back for some kind of revenge. I figure that’s unlikely, but it’s a reality you need to consider. I’m not taking a chance with you.”