Shay
“Quit your fucking moping, Colin. I can feel your negative energy from over here,” I reprimand, shifting further away from my cousin and his bad mojo on the hood of the car.
“I don’t like this. Tiernan should have been the one to be here. Not us,” Colin repeats for the hundredth time this morning.
My cousin sounds like one of those one-hit wonders you hear on the radio. At first you find the tune catchy and even bop your head to the beat, but then after a while with so much damn airplay, each chord begins to grate on your nerves.
“Get over it already. He sent us to do his dirty work, and like the good little soldiers we are, that’s exactly what we’ll do. Think of this pickup as it being just another day on the job.”
“This is different. Hernandez won’t be pleased. He’s going to take Tiernan’s absence as disrespect.”
“Fuck him if he does,” I sneer at the mention of our sworn enemy. “What would Alejandro have done in Tiernan’s shoes? Pick up his fiancé from the airport, who he’s never seen before I might add, or stay back home in Boston so he can properly say his goodbyes to his treasured sister? The same sister that is about to marry Bratva scum, by the way? Not necessarily Sophie’s choice, now, is it, Col?”
“You didn’t stay back,” he counters sternly.
“That’s because I hate fucking goodbyes,” I deadpan. “Besides, if I had it my way, Iris wouldn’t be going anywhere. She would stay right fucking here with her family where she belongs.”
“Your father and Tiernan gave their word. There is no turning back now,” Colin retorts adamantly.
“Hence why we’re here. Now quit your whining and look alive. We don’t want Alejandro to think we’re soft.”
“I still don’t like it,” Colin mumbles, aggravated, crossing his huge tattoo-sleeved arms across his chest.
“Yeah, what else is new? If it’s not a warm wet mouth wrapped around your cock while you play with your chemistry set, there isn’t much you do like,” I taunt, giving him my best wolfish grin, hoping it’s enough to get him out of his foul mood.
But like most days, Colin doesn’t bat an eye at my light provocation. In fact, I have yet to see anything truly get under his skin. I should know, since throughout the years I’ve known him I’ve tried my best to get a rise out of my cousin with very little success.
Athair says that’s how they make them back in Ireland—brooding, big, and mean. Colin fits that to a T, alright. Born and bred in Dublin, Colin has all the traits that my father holds in the greatest esteem. Athair’s fondness for my cousin has only grown since his folks died over a decade ago in the Mafia Wars back in the old country, requiring him to be shipped stateside to live with us. He’s like a brother to me and Tiernan, albeit a taciturn one. I love the bastard, even if our personalities are like oil and water.
While Colin prefers to keep his scowl in place at every turn, solidifying his serious prickly temperament, I’ve always found humor to be a better bedfellow. Our way of life is somber enough to take so seriously. If you can’t have a couple of laughs, then what’s the point?
‘Don’t let your mouth write cheques your ass can’t cash, Shay,’ Athair is fond of warning me when he thinks I’ve stepped over the line with my big mouth.
It’s funny really.
I remember a time where he used to say the same thing to Tiernan growing up. But that all stopped ten years ago when my older brother’s fate was sealed in a twisted, almost Shakespearian-like fashion.
Iris’, too.
Fuck.
Just thinking about how easily Athair sold her to the Bratva still sets my teeth on edge. If I had it my way, I’d rather wage war with all these fuckers than have any of us marry into their families.
But then again, I’m not the boss, nor will I ever be if I can help it.
I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that Tiernan lives a good and long goddamn life if it ensures that I’ll never wear the heavy crown that’s currently placed on his head. Being the boss of the Irish mob comes with too many sacrifices. Too many strings being pulled in all directions, and I’ve never liked being anyone’s puppet. It takes a level head and a cold heart to do what needs to be done, and though life has been hard on all of us, my heart still beats and refuses to be tamed.
“Looks like it’s showtime,” I announce, my gaze landing on the tarmac and on the private jet that is quickly traveling down it. “That must be them.”
Colin nods in reply.
“Shit. I pity my fucking brother. To have to marry a Hernandez, of all people, feels like someone is stabbing a blade into my heart. I can only imagine how he must be feeling right about now.”
“He’s the boss. He doesn’t have to feel.”
I lean off the hood of the car so I can stand up straight and stare at my cousin.
“If I didn’t see with my own two eyes that you bleed red just like the rest of us, Colin, I would swear you’re a fucking robot. Of course, Tiernan feels. Just because he’s the boss, as you put it, doesn’t mean he can switch off his feelings just by snapping his fingers. We are human, you know?”
Colin refuses to acknowledge me, his focus still directed to the now landed plane behind me.
“I bet you feel shit, too, don’t you, Mr. Roboto?” The corner of my lip tugs upwards. “Yeah, I bet under all that hard demeanor there is just a teddy bear dying to get out. I bet when no one is looking you’re the type of guy that watches Hallmark movies with some red wine and a box of tissues.”
When he growls under his breath, my head falls back in a cackle.
“You are too fucking easy to wind up, chol ceathar, ” I joke, even though my remark couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Don’t say shit like that in front of Alejandro,” he warns.
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I know how to deal with that fucker.”
“Hope that’s true because he’s heading this way.”
I turn around to face one of our greatest enemies, ready to wind him up just as I successfully did with Colin, only to have the wind taken out of my sails. All the air in my lungs vanishes as I watch Alejandro and the infamous Rosa Hernandez walk in our direction.
Alejandro is in his usual business attire, looking like a million bucks. No shock there, since the fucker has more money to spend than most. It’s the creature walking at his side that really takes my breath away. Long brown hair flows in the wind over her shoulders making way for all of us to see her perfectly-sculpted face. I’ve never been one to admire works of art, but Rosa’s face has all the distinctions of a great masterpiece. Cupid bow lips centered low on a heart-shaped face, with high cheekbones and eyelashes that go on for days. Wearing a white full-length coat and killer heels to match, I doubt her intention was to summon images of said heels digging themselves into my back when she put them on this morning, but here we are.
Huh.
Here I was thinking my eldest brother was about to marry a girl version of Alejandro, who is one scary-looking, ugly motherfucker, when in reality Tiernan is going to walk down the aisle with the most exquisite woman I have ever set eyes on.
Suddenly my brother’s fate doesn’t seem too bad to me.
Some fuckers have all the luck.
“Fuck me,” I finally vocalize my lascivious astonishment. “Is that Alejandro’s sister? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Do you know if he has any more stashed away?”
I’m about to clean the drool from the corners of my mouth with my sleeve, when Colin slaps me across the back of my head.
“The fuck was that for?!” I shout.
“For eye-fucking your brother’s wife, asshole.”
“She’s not married to him yet.” I wiggle my brows, jutting my tongue out as I walk backwards in the direction of the Hernandez siblings.
Colin’s scowl is deeply engrained on his face as I turn around and meet the new addition to the Kelly family, as well as her prick of a brother.
“Kelly,” Alejandro utters in greeting, looking none too pleased to see me here.
“Long time no see, Hernandez,” I counter with a smug smile.
“Not long enough, I’m afraid,” he retorts, his gaze falling behind me and onto my undoubtedly brooding cousin.
“Aw, don’t be like that. We’re family now.”
“Not yet we’re not. Where is Tiernan?”
“Tied up on business,” Colin explains, now beside me, his frown still in place.
“I see,” Alejandro replies at the vague excuse.
“We have express orders to take you to him later today,” Colin explains all business-like.
“Good. There is much we still need to discuss before the wedding tomorrow.”
My eyes fall on the bride herself, head held unapologetically high while the grown-ups talk.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Reluctantly, Alejandro nods at me before making the introductions.
“This is my sister, Rosa. Rosa, this is Shay Kelly, your soon-to-be brother-in-law and this is Colin Kelly, your fiancé’s right hand.”
“Actually, I’m Tiernan’s right hand. Colin is his left,” I joke, picking her hand up and placing a kiss on her knuckles.
Rosa pulls her hand away before my lips have had time to taste her warm olive-tone skin, but doesn’t reprimand me for my forwardness.
“A man that needs two extra hands to do his business doesn’t seem like much of one,” Alejandro chimes in, not hiding his resentment at my brother not showing up to greet him here.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. There is a lot more that a man can do when he has two sets of extra hands. All you need is a little imagination.” I arch a suggestive brow.
“Do you always speak this way in front of women you’ve just met?” Alejandro scolds, displeased with my wayward tongue.
“Most of them appreciate my honesty.”
“Rosa isn’t like most women.”
“I can tell that just by looking at her.” I lick my lips, staring at the woman who is trying very hard not to fidget under my scrutinizing gaze.
“Don’t look too hard, Shay. Especially when the prize has been bought and paid for already by another,” Alejandro warns.
“Is that how you see your sister? As a prize?”
“She’s worth more than your pockets can afford. I can tell you that much.”
“I’ve got deep pockets.”
“Not deep enough.”
“You wound me.” I feign hurt by placing a hand to my chest.
“Trust me, Shay. If I wanted to wound you, it wouldn’t be with words,” he threatens with a menacing glower.
“Enough,” Colin interrupts, annoyed. “We’ve been out in the open for too long as it is. I say we get into the car and return to Back Bay.”
“Why the rush? I doubt anyone in their right mind would use this opportunity to take us out in the middle of a Hanscom Field landing strip, of all places. Besides, isn’t Rosa being here supposed to be the end of the Mafia Wars?” I mock, salaciously eyeing the woman in question, while making sure Alejandro sees me doing it.
“The wars aren’t over yet,” he spits out, nostrils flaring.
All the fucker needs is another little push to break that cold demeanor of his.
How fun.
“I agree with… Colin, is it?” Rosa says at last, her melodic voice doing something to my insides I didn’t expect, stealing away any desire to fuck with her brother a little more just so I can hear her speak again. “We’ve had a long flight, and I’d like to freshen up and rest if that is at all possible.”
“Follow me,” Colin replies with a staunch no-nonsense tone.
Without added encouragement, she follows my cousin to the car, leaving me and Alejandro to trail behind them.
“She’s very well behaved, I give you that.” I smirk while staring at her pear-shaped ass.
I wish I could say it is more for her brother’s benefit than it is for mine, but with each sway of the hip, I almost forget that my blatant ogling of my soon-to-be sister-in-law is only to piss Alejandro off.
“Rosa is a lady and should be treated as such,” he forewarns.
“A lady, you say?” I chuckle at the word.
“Yes.”
“There’s no such thing.”
“Maybe not in the sewer you were brought up in.”
“Ouch, Alejandro. Again, is that any way to talk to family?”
“You and I both know that it’s going to take more than your brother marrying my sister to make us family.”
“If that’s true, then why bring her here?”
“Because just like Tiernan, I’m a man of my word.”
“Careful there, Alejandro. That remark could almost be misconstrued as a compliment.”
He scoffs in disdain and hurries his step to get into the backseat of the car with his sister and away from me. I chuckle, pleased that I’ve rattled his cage a bit, and take my seat beside an impatient Colin.
“Knock it off and stop acting the maggot,” Colin mutters under his breath, side-eyeing me as he drives the car away from the airport and back to Boston.
“Where’s the fun in that?” I smile widely.
“Feckin’ eejit,” he groans low enough for the two Hernandez siblings sitting in the back not to overhear.
My smile only widens, content that not only have I irked Alejandro to no end, but I’ve pissed off my cousin, too. Still, the one I don’t seem to be making any impression on is the tight-lipped woman in the backseat that is currently staring out the window, watching the scenery pass by.
I’m not sure what I was expecting when Tiernan ordered me to pick up his bride this morning, but this wasn’t it. I’ve never envied my brother. Not once have I ever coveted his life in any way. While Tiernan is ruled by all the restrictions of duty, I’ve been allowed to live free from such chains.
But one look at Rosa has me second-guessing if Tiernan isn’t the one who lucked out.
“Cabrón ,” Alejandro mutters. “The asshole will hear from me. He should have been here to greet you, not send his dogs to do it,” he adds in Spanish to his sister.
“It’s quite alright, brother. I’m not bothered. The less contact I have with him, the better,” she retorts in the same dialect, thinking that stating her musings in her native tongue will keep her secrets safe from us.
“You’ll have to have contact with him sooner or later. Successful marriages aren’t exactly born from absence,” her brother nags.
“Is that your hope for me? That I have a successful marriage?”
“Men like me don’t hope.”
I scoff loudly, interrupting their private tête-à-tête.
“Is there something you wish to say, Kelly?” Alejandro asks with a bite to his words.
“No. Just admiring your accent. Mi acento no es tan bonito.”
Alejandro’s face grows red with fury when he realizes I must have understood his every word, but it’s the little tug of amusement playing on Rosa’s lips that really has me smiling.
“I’m not just a pretty face, Alejandro. Scommetto ce l’hai piccolo. Or if Italian isn’t to your liking, maybe Russian is. Nyet? Togda potseluy menya v zadnitsu, mudak.”
“Are those the only languages you know?” Rosa asks curiously before her brother has a chance to talk, completely unaware I just told Alejandro he has a small dick in one language and to kiss my ass in another.
“Depends on the enemy. Pays me well to know what people are saying about us.”
“I’ll take that into account in the future,” Alejandro spews, unimpressed.
When Colin clears his throat, his nonverbal way of telling me to knock it off, Rosa’s undivided attention falls from me to my cousin in the driver’s seat instead.
“Does every member in the Kelly clan have such linguistic versatility?” She directs the question at my cousin.
“Hell no. Colin barely speaks English. Isn’t that right?”
“Briseadh agus brú ar do chnámha ,” he curses me in Gaelic.
Rosa’s gaze remains fixed on the rearview mirror, taking inventory of my cousin’s irate demeanor.
It’s only when she takes longer than considered dignified, staring at another man that isn’t her fiancé, that I realize it’s Colin’s marred, burnt features on the left side of his face and neck that have caught her interest.
Sometimes I forget that my cousin isn’t the prettiest thing to look at. Some women have too much of a frail stomach to even utter a dia dhuit when in his presence, while others like to add a bit of scary to their bedroom escapades and are all too eager to pull him by the hand into a dark corner just so they can jump on his face.
I wonder which end of the stick Rosa falls onto.
When she sees that I’ve caught her in the act, she instantly turns her face to the window once more, but not before I catch a glimpse of her crimson cheeks, almost as red as Colin’s hair. I’m not sure if it’s my overprotectiveness of my cousin that has me sitting up straighter in my seat and nipping our conversation in the bud, or if I don’t want to add further to her embarrassment by calling her out.
Whatever the reason, all I know is that Colin was right after all.
This wasn’t just your ordinary pickup.
Something tells me that after today, life as we know it will never be the same again.