What a fucking day.
Walking down the hallway, it’s to see Devon taking a seat by his desk and the elevator doors closing behind the new receptionist, Kiara.
Instantly my thoughts turn to when she walked into me and then bounced back into the closing doors. I just reacted and pulled her way.
Only when I was alone in the elevator did I realize touching her didn’t fill me with disgust. Weird, but I’m contributing it to a natural reaction. I just didn’t want her to get hurt. There’s nothing else to it.
“Oh, Liam,” Devon says as I’m about to pass his desk. “Kiara had something bad for lunch. I let her go home. I hope it’s okay with you?”
“Of course,” I mutter as I head toward Finn’s office. “Let HR know.”
Not bothering to knock, I shove Finn’s door open and stalk inside. The fucker is sitting behind his desk with a huge smile on his face.
“Unproductive as always,” I mutter. Coming to a stop on the other side of the desk, I cross my arms over my chest and stare my so-called stepbrother down. “I hear you’re giving all your work to Kiara.”
Finn lets out a bark of laughter, and standing up, he adjusts his jacket. “You should be happy, brother. I’m training the woman. That way, when you fire me, you’ll have someone who can do the job.” The taunting tone in his voice grates against my temper, making it flare to life.
“A fucking toddler can do your job!” Reigning in the burst of anger by taking a deep breath, my voice is calmer when I continue, “Kiara is a receptionist for the lobby. Do your fucking job and leave the woman alone.” Taking a step closer, my eyes bore into his. “And don’t think I’m not aware of the sex ring you started. Shut that shit down.”
“Or what?” he arrogantly taunts me. “You’ll tell Father? He doesn’t give a shit about what I do.” Finn moves around the desk, closing the space between us. The fucker knows I hate being touched, and the second he reaches for my shoulder, I grab hold of his wrist and shove him backward. “Keep your fucking hands off of me.” Every ounce of power I have brims in my voice when I say, “Shut the sex ring down and start doing your own fucking work.” This time, I’m the one to take a threatening step closer to him. “Don’t, and I’ll end you. You’re a fucking annoyance I can’t wait to get rid of.”
Finn lets out a burst of incredulous laughter as if I’m being unreasonable. “Yes, sir,” he bites the words out, zero respect in his tone.
I hold his gaze for a moment longer, thinking I should just get rid of the fucker now.
Finn must see the seriousness of my threat because the arrogance falls from his face. “Fine. Stop worrying. I’ll shut the sex ring down. You can’t blame me for trying to make extra money on the side. You practically pay me peanuts to work here.”
“I fucking pay you more than you deserve.” With everything said, I turn around and leave the office, not bothering to shut the door behind me.
The only reason Finn is still breathing is because I can’t fucking kill him for annoying me.
But it’s only a matter of time.
When I reach Devon’s desk, I stop. Finn’s the reason I employed Devon, and honestly, I haven’t regretted the decision once. He’s the best secretary I’ve ever had.
“Notify me whenever Finn calls a staff member to his office,” I instruct.
“Yes, sir.” Devon nods in the direction of my office. “Will’s waiting for you.”
Hearing Will’s here, a rare smile tugs at my lips. I head to my office, and opening the door, it’s to find my best friend sitting with his feet up on my desk.
“You’re looking for shit,” I warn him playfully.
“You love me too much,” Will jokes. He waits for me to take my seat, then finally lowers his feet from my desk. “Did you talk to Finn?”
“Yes.” I shake my head, my eyes meeting my friend’s. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“I’ll gladly put a bullet between his eyes.” A serious expression falls over Will’s face. “The shipment of weapons should be here tomorrow morning.”
“Good.” I can always trust Luca to deliver on time. The man never disappoints.
Continuing with the updates, Will says, “There’s no sign of the Sicilians. Everything’s quiet here and in Vancouver.”
“We wiped out the majority,” I mutter. It was a good day when I got to help Nikolas and the rest of the Priesthood eliminate those fuckers.
“Jimmy had a heart attack.”
My head snaps up, and shock shudders through me. “When? Is he okay?” I rise from my chair.
“A month ago.” Will gives me a sheepish look as his words hit. “You needed the rest, Liam. I would’ve told you sooner if things went sideways, but Jimmy’s at home recovering. He even got a nurse to help out.”
“You should’ve told me,” I bark. Jimmy Flanagan is one of my best men. “Now it looks like I don’t give a shit if one of my men dies!”
“You were close to burning out, and I’ve been checking in on him.” Will gets up, and tilting his head, he gives me a look that clearly states he’ll fight me on this.
“Next time, you let me know immediately,” I order.
Will nods, then his mouth curves up. “Come on, calm down. You know I did what’s best for you.” When I start to walk around the desk, he asks, “Where are you going?”
“To check on Jimmy,” I mutter, still pissed off.
He rushes to catch up with me. “We’re leaving for the day,” Will tells Devon as we pass his desk.
I slam the button for the elevator while giving Will a scowl.
“You still love me,” the fucker mutters under his breath.
“You’re fucking lucky I do,” I grumble as we step into the elevator.
On the ride down, Will continues updating me on everything regarding the mafia.
All of the management staff know I’m the head of the Irish mafia, but not the lower-level employees. Byrne Enterprises is a construction company I use to launder funds for the mafia. For the past couple of years, it’s been producing one hell of a profit. I’m slowly moving the money laundering operations to a new venture, so this company can be legitimate.
On the drive over to Jimmy’s house, I mutter, “That’s the last time I take a vacation.”
“Now you’re overreacting,” Will chuckles.
“One of my best men had a heart attack. I lost three employees at Byrne Enterprises, and two got killed while transporting a shipment. It’s a clusterfuck.”
“It would’ve happened whether you were here or on vacation,” my friend points out.
I don’t bother agreeing or disagreeing with him.
Stopping the SUV in front of Jimmy’s place, I glare at the state of the house. “The place looks like shit. Get the men to give it a fresh coat of paint and to clear out the gutters.”
“Okay.”
Walking up the path, I gesture at the worn state of the small garden. “Have them clear out this shit as well.”
“Got it,” Will replies before knocking on the door.
A woman in her late forties opens for us. The moment she sees Will, a smile spreads over her face. “Wow, now you’re visiting twice a week?”
“Aren’t you lucky,” he shamelessly flirts with her. Will just has a way about him that makes people love him. Unlike me.
Not having time for this shit, I push past them and walk into the living room. Surprise flutters over Jimmy’s face, and he immediately begins to get up.
Waving a hand at him, I say, “Sit down, old man.” I glare at him, shaking my head as I take in how much weight he’s lost. “I leave you alone for six weeks, and you try to die on me. What the fuck, Jimmy?”
He shrugs as if it’s nothing. “I hit a little speed bump. It’s nothin’.”
Sitting down on the single-seater, I stare at Jimmy for a moment longer. “You look like shit.”
The nurse comes in, followed by Will. Locking eyes with the nurse, I ask, “Isn’t he eating? What did the doctor say?”
Her gaze rests cautiously on me. “Jimmy needs to rest and not get upset then he should get better in no time. He eats but complains about the vegetables.”
I turn my gaze back to Jimmy and give him a not-negotiable look. “Eat your fucking vegetables.”
He grumbles something beneath his breath, then nods at me.
Letting out a breath of relief, now that I’ve seen him with my own eyes, I say, “Don’t make me worry. Get better, you hear?”
“Aye-aye.”
“Can I make everyone some tea?” the nurse asks politely.
“No, thanks,” Will answers. “We can’t stay long.”
“If you have work to do, you can leave,” I tell Will. “Swing by in an hour to pick me up.”
“Sure?” Will asks.
When I nod, he heads toward the front door. I turn my attention back to Jimmy, who says, “Go make us tea, Kristine.”
Once the nurse leaves the living room, Jimmy gives me an apologetic look.
“Don’t you fucking dare apologize for having a heart attack,” I warn him.
“I feel useless sittin’ around on my arse all day.”
We stare at each other for a moment, then I ask, “Do you need anything?” I gesture to the kitchen. “Let me know how much she costs and what your medical expenses are. I’ll take care of it.”
Emotion washes over his face, and being his usual grumpy self, he starts to argue, “I can’t expect that of you.”
“Shut up and let me take care of you. It’s the least I can do after you’ve been loyal to the family for years.”
Jimmy glances down at his hands which are starting to show signs of arthritis. The man looks downright uncomfortable, but then he mutters, “Thanks, boss.” Lifting his eyes to mine, it seems like he wants to say something else, but then Kristine comes in carrying two cups of tea.
After taking the cup from her, I set it down on the coffee table, having no intention of drinking it. I have a problem with consuming anything I didn’t prepare myself. It goes hand in hand with the no-touching thing.
Thankfully, Kristine doesn’t stick around but leaves us alone to talk privately.
“What did you want to say before she brought the tea?” I ask.
Jimmy quickly shakes his head. “Nothin’.”
“Do you need anything?” I try to pry it out of the stubborn fucker.
“No.” He gives me half a smile, looking tired as hell.
“Are you getting enough rest?” I ask.
He nods.
“So there’s nothing you want to tell me?” I give him another chance. Jimmy’s one of the few people I have patience for. He came over from Ireland with his father and has been loyal to the mafia since day one. He’s one of the few good ones left. “We’re family, Jimmy. You can talk to me about anything.”
His smile grows a little. “I know.”
When it’s clear he’s not going to talk, I let out a sigh. “Stubborn fucker.”
This time he chuckles. “I’ll be back at work–.”
I instantly shake my head. “You’ll come back to work when I decide you’re ready.”
Jimmy glances at the time, and for a moment, he looks anxious, but then he says, “Kristine’s goin’ to throw a fit if I don’t take a nap.”
Rising to my feet, I lock eyes with him. “Take care of yourself, Jimmy. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, boss.”
Walking out of the house, I pull my phone out of my pocket to call Will. I glance up and down the street, thinking Jimmy could’ve lived in a much better neighborhood if he didn’t drink and gamble his money away.
“I’m around the corner,” Will answers.
“Good.” I end the call and watch as a bus stops up the road. A couple of people get off then Will pulls up next to me.
Getting into the car, I say, “The warehouse.”
