Chapter Eighteen

Eamon

I paced in my kitchen, my phone on speaker, listening to my cousin give me an update.

“You really think we have to worry about those Milano assholes?”

I couldn’t believe they’d put on an underground game that rivaled ours. We had the hottest chicks Rocket had to offer, stole a few from Vegas, San Francisco and even plenty of the Hollywood and Porn Valley castoffs.

Rourke sighed, the sound filled with tension and frustration. “Hell no, we don’t have to worry, Eamon, but it’s not a bad idea to keep an eye on them. Watch their moves.”

And that was classic Rourke, a fucking champion chess player who saw ten moves ahead of everyone else.

“Plus those fuckers can’t be trusted and I want to be prepared this time.”

I knew exactly what he meant. A few years before Rourke’s father was killed in jail, he’d crossed the Milanos and his mother, Aunt Fiona, was the one who’d paid the price.

“Anything you need, man, just say the word.”

“Thanks, man.”

That was it. A simple word of gratitude and my cousin Rourke was ready to move on.

“Shae can’t stop talking about that space he found, but I know that parking lot addition was all you.”

I laughed. “Baby brother needs a win and it’s no skin off my back to give it to him.”

“Nice of you, but damn he’s annoying.”

We shared a laugh over just how ridiculous Shae could be. As the classic youngest child, he was a goofball and a jokester. Make no mistake, he took his work for the family seriously but that was about it.

“Uncle is happy though.”

“And that’s why we do this.”

A beep sounded to let me know I had a visitor, which was odd since I didn’t do business at my house and I wasn’t expecting company.

“Hang on Rourke, someone’s here.”

The silence between us changed. Charged the way it did when you lived a life like ours.

“Expecting company?”

“No.”

I was on alert, watching the surveillance cameras that covered the house and the surrounding land and seeing nothing.

“I’ll send some men.”

“No! Not necessary.”

“How can you be sure? Don’t be a fucking hero, Eamon.”

There on my doorstep was a beautiful blonde vision looking like a sexy librarian in a skintight skirt and a blouse that perfectly outlined her tits.

“Not being a hero, Rourke. The company is female.”

Rourke scoffed. “And females are safe? How’d she find you?” His sarcasm wasn’t lost on me, mostly because it was no secret that Rourke didn’t get serious about women. Ever. He gave them a night, maybe two and then he moved on. Names and faces forgotten.

“Nope. But this particular female is known. And welcome.” His deep chuckle sounded in my ear as I made my way to the front door, feeling happy as fuck I’d sent my staff home for the day so I could work.

“Then I’ll leave you to it.”

“Let me know if you run into another Milano game.”

I was eager to see what those motherfuckers came up with, how much they’d stolen from us.

“Worried about me, cuz?”

I barked out a laugh. “I want in on the fucking action when you finally snap.” The last thing I heard was Rourke’s laugh, loud and amused as the call ended. I pulled open the front door as I slid the phone in my back pocket. “Couldn’t wait until tonight?”

Layla glared at me, green eyes so dark they were damn near black but all I could focus on was the way her tits rose and fell under her blouse. She was breathing hard; her skin was flushed and the fire burning in her eyes threatened to burn down the house.

“You forgot to mention that it was only forty grand Dad owed you this time, Eamon.”

Ah, she was angry, which meant she wanted to do the thing I hated most. Talk.

“Do any of the other times matter, Layla?”

“You know they do!” She got in my face and thought better of it, taking two steps back but I wouldn’t allow it, I got right in her face right back.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Wasn’t my place to say, princess.”

“Bullshit. You just didn’t want to talk about it.”

“Why would I? Those debts have been satisfied, which means they are none of your concern.”

I didn’t talk family business with women. Ever. And I never would.

“It’s my concern if you think you can fuck me to pay off the rest of my father’s debts!”

I arched a brow at her acidic words. “Not having a good time, princess?”

“That’s not the point!”

“Seems to me it’s the only point. At least the only one I’m willing to talk about. Your father is an adult and he knows what he signed up for. If you have questions, then you should probably ask him.”

Her little fists moved from her sides up under her tits as she crossed her arms and glared at me.

“I’m asking you.” Her face was determined, just like the set of her shoulders, and her tapping foot.

“Then you’re asking the wrong person.”

The space between us shrank until we were face to face, her angry and me horny as fuck.

“Any other questions or do you want me to make you scream?”

With a self-satisfied grin on her face, Layla looked at me, opened her mouth and then she screamed. It was loud and primal, almost a horror movie scream. As quickly as the scream started it was over.

“Happy?” She asked.

“Not what I had in mind but if it got you sorted, I’m happy. Did it?”

The last thing I wanted was for my uncomplicated sex to become another complication.

“No, dammit! Why won’t you answer my questions?”

I took a step forward and blocked her attempt to leave, placing both hands on either side of her head. “I won’t answer, Layla, because it is none of your fucking business.”

She gasped and pushed at my chest. “Right, I forgot.”

She kept pushing until I relented and moved.

“Silly me. I’m out of here!”

Goddammit this was exactly why I didn’t deal with women outside the bedroom. Too fucking emotional. Too irrational. “I expect you back here tonight,” I called after her and my words were met with an erect middle finger that made me laugh.

Layla was what Patrick would call a firecracker and even that little exchange got my dick hard and aching, throbbing to slid into her wet goodness again. Tonight would come soon enough and if Layla thought she could skip tonight because she was upset, then we’d pick up where we left off tomorrow.

I was a fucking Connelly and I always got what I wanted.

One way or another.