Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“This LaSalle is still asking for a meet, right? He wants to know who I am?”
“Yeah, Dad wanted to give you time, but they’re still asking to meet you before the Ireland roundtable.”
Something clicks in my brain, and I know exactly what I need to do. I can’t believe I almost missed it. This is it.
“Okay, I’ll meet him, and I’ll take him a gift. He can have the Albanians and still allow me to demand my respect. Whatever it is he’s punishing them for, I’m sure my gift will open the door.”
“Okay, I hear you. We do what Uncle Freddie taught us and come out on top, but this better be one hell of a gift.”
I laugh. “It is. Bujar and Dalmat have a cousin who should have taken over the family. The brothers snaked him out of his spot. He’s been biding his time to get them back and take what’s his.
“I make a friend and earn everyone’s trust in one go. I will then make a few requests of LaSalle in return.”
“Baby Girl, this is why your uncle chose you. I have never had a problem being your second. Shit, sometimes I don’t even think Dad is going to hand his seat over to me. I bump heads with Marlow and his boys too much.”
“I find that so interesting. You know, I have only ever met one of them.”
“Consider yourself lucky. Those motherfuckers are dumb as fuck and entitled.”
I snort and try not to laugh. A knock at the door interrupts my next thought and I look at the time. I need to get going to see my mom.
“Anything else?”
“Nah, not right now. Go take care of your moms. I’ll hold it down.”
CHAPTER 21
Go For It
Ronan
A little over two months later …
“Why do ya look like someone pissed in your pint? Aren’t ya glad for yer nephew?” Cass asks as she finds me sitting out in the backyard.
“Just a lot on me mind. Need to sort some things out in me life and in me head,” I reply.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a pretty-faced young woman with a whole lot of sass and ass, would it?”
I snort and shake my head at my older sister. I didn’t miss how she asked Kaye about Dean earlier after the proposal. Cass and Ma took a liking to her while she was here.
“Not everything is about a woman,” I grumble.
“Aye, but ye have a glad eye for that one, so it is.”
“Ach, some things aren’t meant to be.” I shrug.
Cass slaps me upside the back of my head. I palm the stinging spot and glare at her. She narrows her eyes at me.
“Since when did ye become a big pussy? All me life I’ve known ye to go after what ye want. I know what I saw. Ye aren’t in this alone.
“I love ya, little brother, but ye ain’t been right in years. If this lass makes ya happy, for fuck’s sake, go after her and get what ya want. Ye hear me?”
“Aye, I hear ya, but I already promised yer boys I’d be coming to California.”
“Those big fuckers will get over it. Almost all of them have a hot pair of nex warming their beds. Yer not getting any younger. Do what ya need to do for ye.”
I wrap my arm around my sister’s small shoulders and tug her into a hug. I needed that kick in the pants. I haven’t been the most fun to be around lately.
In all honesty, this isn’t where I had planned to be. I should be in the States laying boots to Bujar. He’s been floating since Dean returned to New York.
Aye, I know just where the lass is. The only reason I haven’t been to find out what she thinks is happening between us is that business has been calling for most of my attention. I’ve been in a fouler mood than usual.
I want to have my woman in my arms. This is new for me and I’m not adjusting to not calling the shots and getting what I want. I’m used to women waiting for my calls, not the other way around.
Not that Dean hasn’t called. She has. The calls have just begun. Her timing is shit. I missed the first call while on my flight here to Ireland.
At the time, I thought my da was ill. Ma called and demanded I rush home for an emergency. However, there’s no emergency. Felix is here to propose to his bird and the family is all here with him.
I swear my mother knows how to drive me insane. The time difference between here and New York has kept me from getting in touch with Dean since her call. I’ve been in a sour mood all day.
Then I received a call that Bujar has reared his head in California. I don’t have to track him down, I know exactly where to find him.