Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
The food is good—my father hired cooks, of course, because no way any of us were doing all that work—and we share dessert afterward. Once everyone starts heading back to their homes, we do the same—we decided to return to Ashford instead of staying another night in Boston. There’s something about being alone with my people, about us being together in a space that’s just ours, that I think we all crave. We know that one day we’ll be back here, living even more immersed in this world, but for now, we still have our own.
I’m surprised when my father leaves his men behind to walk us to our car, hands shoved into his pockets the way he does. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thanks for having us.” I glance at Ollie, then back to him. “And what I said last night…I changed my mind. I’m not going anywhere.”
My dad gives me a smile. “I figured as much, and I’m glad.”
He’s glad. Because then I’m close to him? “I’ll call you sometime. Not about work,” I clarify. God, this is fucking ridiculous. It’s not supposed to be this way.
“I’ll call you too…not about work.” He turns to Ollie. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Maybe next time you won’t threaten me. I woke up with a bruise on my chest.” He chuckles.
“Be nice to him, and I won’t have to.” Ollie grins.
My father nods, then without another word, turns and walks away.
Luckily, with the holiday, there’s not much traffic in the city, and it doesn’t take long to get home. The others arrived before us, and Aislin’s still at the house, everyone waiting for us in the living room.
“Something changed,” Tiernan says with that studying expression unique to him.
“My dad and I came to an understanding.”
He gives a slow nod. “Good. That’s how it should be. But if he fucks up again, I’ll kill him.”
The room erupts into laughter.
“Your mom…” Ash says, “she would have loved today.”
I smile. “Yeah, she would have. She liked having a full house like that. She used to play for us when we were all together. Do you remember?” It always felt so weird, like this normal family moment in between drug deals and arms trades.
“We do have a piano…” Rory lets the words hang in the air. I played for him and Ollie once since I told him, but I haven’t for anyone else.
“Oh my God. Yes. You should play, Cil,” Aislin joins in.
“He plays the piano?” Dean asks.
“Did you think we just kept it there for looks?” Tiernan returns.
“That makes more sense to me than one of you playing the fucking piano,” Dean says, making us laugh, and God, I fucking love this.
Love them.
My gaze finds Ollie’s, who gives me a small nod.
“One song,” I agree. If there’s anyone besides Ollie and Rory I can do this for, it’s them. My family.
They surround me as I sit on the bench, Ollie beside me. My fingers feel at home on the keys, and when I close my eyes, it’s Mom I see. Her laughing face…the amazing childhood I was able to have before she died. Despite it all, despite who we are, they loved me well back then…and I was happy. The way Ollie and I will be happy.
I open my eyes, study the music in front of me. One song leads to two, then three—from Für Elise to Clair de Lune to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. We always played classical music—my mom and me. They were always her favorite.
When I’m done, everyone claps, and though I roll my eyes, I appreciate it.
We have a drink together afterward, Rory bouncing around, full of energy.
It’s not long after Ollie and I are in bed, still awake, that there’s a soft knock at the door.
“It’s me,” Rory says, and I frown, worried something’s wrong.
“Come in.” I sit up on the side of the bed, Ollie doing the same behind me.
Rory opens the door and startles. “Wow. Nice welcome, but sorry, can’t hook up with the two of you tonight. I have plans.” He looks at Ollie. “Do you have an extra box of the butt-cleaning stuff?”
“What?” Ollie shouts. “Oh my God! Why are you asking me that?”
“Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how fucking blissed out you looked when Cillian was dicking you down.”
“Jesus, Ror,” I groan.
“What? It’s true. Anyway, I’m curious about it. It looks fun. I found this guy on an app who wants to top me. We’re meeting at a hotel in a bit, but I don’t want any surprises, ya know?”
Only fucking Rory, and I can’t help but love him for it.
“Under the sink,” I tell him.
“Are you sure?” Ollie asks, following him into the bathroom.
“Abso-fucking-lutely. I should try everything once, right?” He grabs the box.
“Be careful, and if you change your mind, that’s okay. Oh, and your location is on, right?” Ollie coddles.