I snap out of the trance I slipped into when Liam gets up to say a couple of words. He walks to the front and takes a moment to look at the photo of Dad, then he chuckles and says, “I can hear him cursing us all for sitting here, telling us to get back to work.”
There’s a murmur of chuckles throughout the church, then Liam glances over all the people. “Jimmy was family. Jesus, he raised half of you.”
Murmurs of agreement spread out behind me.
Liam looks at the photo again. “I’ve never been good with words, so I’m going to steal for you, Jimmy. The words of Clare Harner.” He clears his throat, then recites, “Do not stand by my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints in snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.” Liam pauses to take a breath, then turns his eyes to me. “Do not stand by my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.” He pauses for a moment, just looking at me. “Jimmy left a piece of himself behind for us.” He looks at Dad’s photo again. “We’ll take care of her for you, old man. It’s time for you to rest.”
Liam gestures for me to come.
Taking a deep breath, I get up and walk to the front. When Liam gives me a hug, I whisper, “Thank you. That was beautiful.”
I wait for him to sit down, then glance over all the faces.
So many men called Dad family.
“You probably knew my dad better than me.” I swallow hard. “I only saw him when he took a break from work. But the times I got to spend with him are some of my favorite memories.” I have to take a moment to get air into my lungs. “I’d give anything to hear him call me lass one last time.” I turn my gaze to the photo and have to breathe through the wave of grief his smiling face brings. “It was an honor to be your daughter. I love you. Always will.”
After the service, Liam drove us to a warehouse.
A long table’s been set up on the side with snacks. There’s also coffee and tea. Not that I can force myself to have any.
I keep looking at all the men. Some seem normal, but others are downright scary.
Liam keeps his hand on my lower back, and when he starts steering me through the group of men, I instinctively inch closer to him.
A man glances at me, then turns and heads our way. He has a scar across his cheek, and every step he takes makes it look like he’s prowling for a victim.
I’m practically glued against Liam by the time the man stops in front of us, then he looks at Liam with respect. “Boss.”
Liam glances down at me. “This is Declan. He’ll guard you.”
“What?” the word burst from me.
I knew I was getting guards, but…
My eyes fly back to Declan’s face.
God, he looks scary.
Three more men come to join us. Liam gestures to each of them. “Waylon, Ezra, and Ryan. They’re Declan’s team.”
With wide eyes, I stare at the four men who will follow me around like shadows.
Declan tilts his head, his features softening a little but not enough to make him look any less threatening. “Sorry for your loss. Jimmy saved my arse. He was like a da to me.”
Hearing his Irish accent and how close he was to Dad eases some of the tension in me.
Then he adds, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”
“Thank you,” I manage to whisper.
Declan turns his attention to Liam, who says, “I have to be back at work first thing tomorrow morning. Be at the penthouse at five am.”
“Aye, boss.” Declan nods, then turns and walks away, the other three guards following him.
“I know he’s intimidating, but he’s one of my best,” Liam murmurs.
I glance up at him. “I’m not going to lie, he looks scary.”
“You’ll be safe with Declan. I trust him.”
My eyes search Liam’s eyes. If he trusts Declan… God, I’ll just have to take his word for it. He hasn’t given me any reason to doubt him. “Okay.”
Slowly the men take turns to pay their respect to me. It’s clear all of them are loyal to Liam.
Just like Dad was.
My gaze rests on the man who’s quickly becoming a huge part of my life. I got to know him as a CEO, but I’m seeing a different side to him surrounded by the mafia.
The powerful side.
Liam’s eyes meet mine. “Something wrong?”
With our gazes locked, I ask, “So this is who you are?”
He nods. “You okay with it?”
Just like when I found out who Dad was and what he did for a living, I realize it doesn’t really matter. It didn’t change my love for Dad.