Ready or Not

So yeah. I woke her up screaming and coming all over my face. Just so I could put her back to sleep all over again. It’s the way it should be every morning. Snatch a soul, save a life.

With a woman like Kaye to call my own, I’ll be more relaxed throughout my workday. Absolutely less likely to kick someone’s ass at work. Sometimes those bounties can push you to the edge.

Then there are the other special assignments that make me question the sanity of my family and our government. They know what they send us to do and don’t bat a single lash about it. Knowing I have Kaye in my life as mine has already started to make me think more cautiously about everything.

I have an assignment I need to get back to. I’m thinking of approaching things differently. Less risk, less fall-out, that’s the goal for this one.

“What’s on ya mind?” Brooklyn asks from his seat on the couch.

“Work stuff,” I reply.

“Aye, heard yer getting into some muddy waters. Tread lightly. I will not hesitate to go to war if backlash results from this one,” he warns.

“Dad already informed me of the thin lines here. I’ll get what I need without tipping the scales,” I respond.

“My grandfather is a right bastard. Ya just keep an eye out for trouble.”

“I will. I’m thinking I may be able to do this one from the comfort of my own home if I play this right,” I think aloud.

“Good. Yer the best. Wish ya were working for me,” he says.

“Maybe someday. I still owe you guys a favor,” I acknowledge.

“No favor owed. Kaye be family just as well as ya. Dae-Dae will always have a set of uncles in New York.”

“Thanks.”

“Uncle Cole, fix please,” Dae-Dae interrupts holding up the remote to the Xbox. The batteries must have died again.

Brooklyn gets up to change them out for him. Meanwhile, Dae-Dae comes to sit on my lap and wait. I’ve noticed him clinging to me a bit this visit.

I brush his hair back off his forehead and kiss it. He looks up at me with a beaming smile. I love this kid. My heart aches that I’m leaving again.

“I’ll bring you a new game next time,” I promise.

“Racecars?” he asks with that infectious smile.

“Racecars it is,” I say and give him a sage nod.

“Yes!” he cheers.

Turning in my lap he wraps his arms around my neck for a tight hug. I hug him back absorbing all the good he shares. It’s impossible to be angry around this kid.

“Here ya go,” Brooklyn says as he returns with the control ready for Dae-Dae.

“Thank you,” he sings and rushes back over to his spot in front of the TV.

I watch him with a smile on my face. Kaye is going to get me for letting him play for so long. Although, I don’t think we’ll be seeing her for quite a while.

That thought brings a larger smile to my face. She made this sexy purring noise this morning that had me ready to explode. I can’t wait until the next time I can make that happen.

“I do want to ask you a favor,” Brooklyn says, breaking into my musing.

He has my attention right away, as I notice that he pushes aside his Irish accent. His eyes have a seriousness in them I’m used to seeing for business only. I know what’s said next is important to him.

“It has to do with the old bastard. There was a family back home. Two brothers, both married American women. African American women. They each had daughters. I need to find those girls, but my grandfather can’t get wind of it,” Brooklyn says.

“Do you have names?”

“Deja Walsh and Ciara Walsh. Use the name surname Murphy as well. It was their father’s maternal grandmother’s name,” he replies. “I believe it’s the name that kept them alive.”

“Anything else you have for me to go on?”

“I believe Deja is still in Ireland. Ciara may be somewhere here in the States. Her father was a boxer.

“What you need to know most importantly is not a hair should be harmed on either of their heads. I want to keep it that way. If that bastard finds out I’m asking after them he’ll try to make it otherwise.

“I don’t need another reason to want to kill my own flesh and blood. He’s already collecting a debt he can’t handle,” his last words come out in a hiss.

“Bro, consider them found.”

“Aye, I know.”

Kaye

I can hear rumbling voices and Dae-Dae’s high-pitched giggles coming from the front of the apartment. I can’t believe Felix allowed me to sleep in this late. I can’t believe I actually slept in.

I’m normally the first one to get up so that I can make breakfast and sometimes, have a minute to myself to write. Breakfast and lunch have both past and I’m still here in bed. My mind goes to the wakeup call from this morning.

I thought I was dreaming at first. Felix’s fingers were biting into my thighs, while his face was buried between my legs. I remember coming so hard, I thought my chest would explode.

Crap!

Then he put it on me until I passed out. Oh my God. I’ve been asleep since.

I scramble from the bed. My legs are shaky, but I can stand and make it to the bathroom on my own two feet. I take a quick shower and freshen up before throwing on leggings and a t-shirt.

When I make it into the living room, my apartment seems so tiny. It’s full of O’Briens. All of the brothers and their two sisters are here. It’s like they’re having a party and I’m the last guest to arrive.

Drinks are in hand, Connie is passing plates around. Dae-Dae looks like he’s on cloud nine as he sits between Felix and Dylan. The three of them are transfixed by a Manga film on the TV. “Bleach,” if I’m not mistaken.

Felix and Dae-Dae have watched a few of the movies before. I think it’s a bit beyond his age, but Dae-Dae seems to love watching it with Felix. Kate and Brooklyn are chatting with Logan, while Jamie remains on his cell phone.

Looking around it dawns on me that I’ve had a family right here in New York. I was kind of homesick after my talk with Felix. I toyed with the idea of calling my mother, but the old familiar hurt rose and I thought better of it.

I have people who care right here in New York. Sure, I would love to be closer to Felix on a regular basis, but for now, I have things I need to do for me. I need to make something happen for me.

“There she is,” Connie sings.

I watch Felix’s head turn in my direction. He doesn’t hesitate to get up and make his way to me. His arms go around my waist and his head dips to place a quick kiss on my lips.

“How are you feeling?” he leans into my ear to ask.

I feel my face burn as I think about what he’s truly asking. I look up into his eyes. They’re twinkling with mischief and mirth.

“I’m great,” I reply with what I hope is a seductive smile.

His lips are at my ear again. He nips it, then licks it soothingly. My fingers coil in his shirt.

“You’re lucky I need to get back. I can still taste you on my tongue,” he whispers.

He has a sexy grin on his lips when he pulls away from my ear. I can see he enjoys stunning me with his words. I’m feeling bold so I offer my own dose of shock.

“Maybe next time I can find out what you taste like,” I whisper back, looking up at him through my lashes.

I see the instant fire that enters his eyes. He licks his lips moving in closer. Just when he goes to say something else, Dae-Dae runs over to wrap himself around Felix’s leg.

We’re pulled back into the room and the reality of our guests that are watching us with amused looks on their faces. I groan internally. Felix gets to go back to Cali.

I’ll be here for all the teasing and questions. I can see it in Connie’s eyes, I’m in for it. Maybe I should leave with Felix.

“Mama, tell Lix stay,” Dae-Dae says as he holds onto Felix.

I know how the little guys feels. I’m getting sad too. I know he has to head out soon. I’m a little annoyed with myself for sleeping so long.

“He can’t, baby. He’ll be back,” I reply.

Dae-Dae gives the biggest pout. Felix bends to pick him up, kissing his cheek. From the look on Felix’s face this isn’t easy for him either.

“I’ll come back as soon as I can. I promise,” he says to Dae-Dae.

“Come with you?” he replies hopefully.

“I wish,” Felix answers, burying his face in Dae-Dae’s curls, looking over his head into my eyes. “I’m giving your mama time to do her thing, but when the time is right, ready or not, I’m coming to get you both.”

My mouth pops open. I hear the promise in his words and I sure as heck see it in his eyes. Felix has a clock in his head and it’s ticking. I’d sure like to know when it’s set for.