″It’s the mob. My family is the head of the Irish mob on the East Coast.”
″Do you hurt children? Murder them? Rape them?”
″Never.”
″And… sex trafficking?”
″Never innocents, love.”
″Then, I don’t care.” Her lips press against my neck as she sighs. “I want to kiss you forever.”
″Me, too.”
My hand slides over the fabric of her dress as I squeeze her ass. I press my lips against her neck and she lets out a moan while I guide my touch over her ass. She tenses over me, her eyes closing.
″I especially want to kiss you here,” I say, kissing her neck.
Swallowing, she climbs off my lap. Haley sits beside me, straightening her dress, and runs a finger through her hair. This talk of her monsters, coupled with the avoidance of any touching, has me prompting her to answer my unspoken questions. I squeeze her hand, and she smiles, even if she doesn’t look at me. She just stares straight ahead.
″What of the monsters in your past, Haley? Why do you drink so much?”
She glances at me through somber eyes. My heart constricts in my chest. I’ve been working so hard to keep those hazel irises sparkling, yet they always manage to dim.
″I appreciate your honesty, Cal. But I’m not ready to talk about my shit,” Haley says.
I nod, forcing a smile because I want her to know she can trust me to share whatever is haunting her. Despite how uncomfortable the truth is, if she doesn’t reveal it, how can I fix it for her?
Ma greets us at the door, standing on her toes to wrap me in a hug. She presses a kiss to my cheek, and drags her hand along my face.
″Happy birthday, my sweet lad. I can’t believe how old this makes me. Feels like just yesterday I was coming home with my baby bundled to my chest.”
She steps back, and her eyes drift over to Haley. “And who do we have here?” Ma doesn’t wait for me to introduce her, just pulls Haley into an embrace.
″This is Haley, Ma. Haley, this is my mother.”
″So lovely to meet you, dear,” Ma says, pulling away. She glances between us, then smiles softly. “All of your siblings are here, love.”
I raise my brows. “Even Saoirse? I thought she had finals.”
″Your father convinced her to come home. You mentioned you wanted a family meeting?” Ma glances at Haley, indicating a nonverbal question. How can we have a family meeting with someone who isn’t in the family?
″Haley knows who we are, Ma,” I say.
″Family meeting?” Haley asks. “No, I won’t impose. I can go wait somewhere in another room.” Her hand clutches my elbow as she glances toward me.
Ma shakes her head as she squeezes Haley’s arm. “Nonsense, love. Stay and eat. If Callum wants you here, so do we.”
″I want you here,” I confirm, pulling her against me. Her hand wraps around my waist and I take advantage of our closeness to inhale the addicting scent of her hair.So fucking addicting.
We follow Ma into the living area, where my siblings have piled around the large sofas and armchairs. Da isn’t anywhere to be found, but it’s been normal for him to take a nap around this time.
Saoirse sits at the edge of a couch, book in hand, her nose buried deep into whatever story she’s been reading. She doesn’t even bother to look up as we enter.
″Oh fuck,” Sean blurts, his eyes grazing over Haley. He meets mine, then smirks. “Nice suit, Cal.” Jesus, I should have changed into my blue. None of them are going to let this go.
Declan snorts, standing from his chair, whisky glass in hand. “I’m Declan.”
Haley takes Declan’s extended hand, a timid smile on her face. Her arm wraps around me, and she tucks tighter into my side. That sass that draws me in disintegrates as if it’s been doused with water. It’s a pattern I’ve been noticing, of not being open to meeting men.