Gael: The Callaghan Mafia Book 3 Read online

  “Fiona.”

  “Right. That woman. The one that shot us out from her vagina?”

  I grimaced. “Why do you always have to be so crass about everything?”

  “And you think I’m the weird one, Mr. Pale Pink Shirt.”

  I looked down. “What’s wrong with it? I thought it suited the light gray very nicely.”

  “Uh huh. Anyway. Things with Mom haven’t quite… gone as planned.”

  “I wasn’t aware that there was a plan.”

  “Well, instead of her moving in with Martin, she’s kind of…”

  I blinked. “You’re kidding me.”

  “It’s the reason why Declan doesn’t want to even speak of everything going on right now. I mean, you went and stayed in a hotel until you moved into that place you have right now. You completely missed Mom’s whole ‘just kidding Martin’s moving here for now’ spiel. I’m serious. I thought Declan was going to lose his head over it.”

  “What the fuck has gotten into her?”

  “I don’t know, but we have to find a way to knock some sense into her. This isn’t Mom. At all. She’s playing at something; I just don’t know what.”

  “Then why not tell us? Why not rope us in? I mean, she called us. Not the other way around. She called us for our help. So, why not confide in us while we’re here?”

  He shrugged. “That’s the big question. All of this makes Mom look guilty as sin. We all know it. It’s the one thing we won’t speak about. But right now? With this whole ‘I love Martin and Richard’s magically been dead for a month’ thing doesn’t look good on her, given the circumstances.”

  I sighed. “No. It doesn’t. Are we going to get a wine menu or something?”

  “I already ordered for us.”

  “You what?”

  “Gael. Come on. You get the same thing every time we go out for steak. Filet mignon, rare. Broccoli, but just the stems. A loaded baked potato with extra butter because you don’t put on weight, ever. And a glass of Bordeaux.”

  I blinked. “Okay. So, I have routines. You may continue.”

  He grinned. “So, as I was saying, Declan and I are worried about her. She’s walking around the brownstone touting how her sons don’t get a say in who she loves. Or who she wants to be with. She won’t listen to reason, at all. She’s proclaimed that she doesn’t care how guilty this makes her look. It’s her life, and she’ll live it how she wishes.”

  “Does she know that Declan now holds all the accounts?”

  “She is.”

  “So, she knows that—at any moment—he can just sell that place out from underneath her?”

  He paused. “I don’t know if she’s that aware of things.”

  “Maybe she should be. She’s walking around as if she wields power when she doesn’t. Declan does.”

  “She will if Martin cashes in successfully on this challenge he’s issued to Declan.”

  “I thought that was squashed.”

  “Why?”

  I shrugged. “Nothing’s been said about it lately. No one’s mentioned anything, including Martin. I figured it was him spouting off at the mouth because of all the stress we’re under. You know, since we still have no clue what’s happened to his own brother.”

  “Well, here’s to hoping we can figure it out. Because Abby’s wanting us to wrap that shit up and have an answer for her before the baby comes.”

  I stared at my brother blankly as our food touched down. He leaned back with the cheesiest grin on his face as the waiter filled up our wine glasses. Such a classless move, filling glasses up more than two-thirds with wine. But his words rattled around so heavily in my brain I didn’t even process the faux-pas.

  “Baby?” I asked.

  Brody smiled. “Yep.”

  “Abby’s…”

  “Pregnant.”

  I leaned forward. “The two of you are pregnant?”

  “We are, yes.”

  I snickered. “And Declan calls me the dog.”

  He furrowed his brow. “Wait, why would he call you that?”

  I reached for my wine glass. “If there’s anything that calls for a toast, it’s this.”

  My brother matched my movements. “You owe me a story later.”

  “Trust me, I’ll fill you in when the time’s right. Or you’ll hear from Declan. He already knows.”

  “Yep. That means I’ll hear from Declan.”

  I snickered. “To growing love and growing families. May we be so lucky as to watch the next generation grow.”

  “Here fucking here.”

  We clinked our glasses together as the smell of steak wafted up my nose. The smile on Brody’s face was enough for me. He seemed happier than ever. He had a glow about him that almost made me jealous. Him and Abby. What a fucking pair.

  Good for them.

  As I sipped the very smooth Bordeaux the restaurant had dished up, I found my mind wandering. It drifted into places that were never good. As Brody rattled on about plans for the baby and where him and Abby might end up in terms of a permanent home, I found myself only half listening. Because the thought that dawned on my mind gave me pause.

  I wondered if I’d ever get so lucky as to find a woman that didn’t picture me as the monster I felt myself growing into.

  Like Declan and Brody had already found.

  8

  Colleen

  As I laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling, I listened to Gael walking around downstairs. So much had changed in the past week, and not all of it was good. I went from sleeping in a guest bedroom by the kitchen to sleeping with him every night. Figuratively, and literally. He wanted me at his every beck and call. He molded my body in ways I never imagined. He made me feel things I didn’t think were possible.

  And yet, he was so cold afterwards.

  Like being doused with hot water.

  In the evenings, he’d gaze into my eyes. Pin me beneath him. Make me feel like the only woman on the planet. Then, he’d roll over and go to sleep. I wasn’t able to get up and walk around. I wasn’t able to slip back into my room. His command was to stay there next to him. So he could wake me up with his mouth every morning.

  Not that I minded that, necessarily. In fact, it was a great way to wake up. It was one of the reasons why I was staring at the ceiling.

  Because after two morning orgasms, I couldn't move.

  But things weren’t completely good between us. I had minimal clothes. Four outfits, to be exact. I had no books to keep me company during the day. And sometimes, Gael would get frustrated that I hadn’t cleaned anything up while he was gone. I mean, did he just think I’d become some housewife? Who suddenly picked up his dirty socks and washed his dishes?

  Yeah, he does.

  I rolled over in bed and sighed. I heard the door open and close, signaling Gael’s leave. It happened every morning, promptly at ten o’clock. Even on the weekends, when he was supposed to be resting. At least, it had last weekend. My eyes fell to the phone sitting on my bedside table. A cell phone Gael had gotten for me a couple of days ago. It was programmed with his name and number in it. But, nothing else.

  I mean, except a GPS tracker that took stock of my every move.

  You’re his prisoner. Not his love.

  I sighed as I sat up. There were moments where I caught a glimpse of the boy he used to be. A soft smile just after orgasming. Those few moments where he relaxed against me at night. Even when he was sleeping and I couldn't. Sometimes, I’d just stare at him. And the way the furrow of his brow relaxed lent itself to the boyish charm he had possessed as a teenager.

  He’s not the same person you knew. And he won’t be.

  My phone vibrating on the bedside table pulled me from my trance. I knew who it was, and I knew that if I didn’t answer promptly, I’d be in trouble. I reached for my phone and saw I had a text from Gael. Probably another command of his.

  And I was right.

  Gael: You’re due to meet with Fiona for coffee in an hour. Dress in
the red outfit I bought for you. It’ll present you with confidence and power. I’ll meet you there. The driver will be outside. License plate TRV-3857.

  Wow. He said more in his texts than he did in person.

  “Might as well get a shower,” I murmured.

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about getting coffee with the Callaghan matriarch. Then again, I didn’t have a choice. Especially if Gael was going to be involved in it. I set my sights on the quickest shower I could muster before pulling out the outfit he was talking about. My paltry wardrobe was hung up next to his in the closet. And the multitude of suits and freshly-pressed shirts he had made my four outfits look pathetic. Still, I pulled out the red bodysuit with a draping shoulder, a tight bodice, and flowing pants that made me look as if I were gliding every time I took a step.

  I paired it with the only pair of heels I had. A black pair that Gael picked up. Probably on a last-minute whim. I didn’t have any makeup, so I pinched some color into my cheeks. I brushed my lips with nothing but warm water to try and perk them up a bit. And after gargling with mouthwash one last time, I made my way downstairs.

  And slipped straight into the car after checking its license plate.

  I’d only seen Fiona at weddings and funerals. So, I didn’t know much about her other than the things I heard whispered in the confines of my own home. None of which were good.

  Still, when I got to the brownstone, she invited me in with a smile on her face.

  I just wasn’t sure if the smile was genuine.

  “Colleen, it’s been a while. Please, come sit down.”

  I nodded. “Your generosity is kind. Thank you.”

  “Nonsense. You’ve been through an expansive ordeal. Come sit in a comfortable chair and let’s talk.”

  I tried hard not to stare at the sprawling brownstone in front of me. But it was hard. On the one hand, I wanted to ask Fiona how she was doing with everything. And on another hand, I wondered about my own safety if I asked the question. So, I decided to keep my mouth shut.

  “Gael hasn’t arrived yet. Which will give us some time for some girl chat. Yes?” she asked.

  She ushered for me to sit down at the kitchen table and I did. I watched as she poured us each a cup of coffee. Cream, and sugar. A concoction I’d force myself to choke down. I’d never understood people who put sugar in their coffee. I enjoyed that strong bite at the end. It’s one of the things that helped me to perk up.

  That reminded me that I was really alive.

  “So, here you go. I hope I made it up the way you like it,” she said.

  I lied. “It’s perfect, thank you.”

  “Hmm, wonderful.”

  She sat down in front of me with her cup clutched perfectly within her palms.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  I sipped my coffee silently. “Of course.”

  “While I’d enjoy idle chit chat with you, I get the feeling you’re not a chit chat kind of person.”

  I didn’t lie this time. “I’ve always found small talk to be pointless. Why waste the energy when I can pour it into something else?”

  “See? Exactly. A woman after my own heart. People always think I’m so cold because I get straight to the point. But it’s a conservation of energy. I mean, I can’t always dumb myself down to others’ levels. Right?”

  I blinked. “Right.”

  “Yes. Wonderful. So, the weather’s nice, it looks like Gael is treating you with some sort of respect. All is well. Ready for the punchline?”

  My curiosity grew. “Hit me with it.”

  She scooted her chair closer to me. “You’re the only woman I dare to trust right now.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. My other sons? They’ve picked insanely selfish women. None of who see my point of view. I mean, Abby’s pregnant, so she’s got her own tunnel vision she’s dealing with throughout everything. And I’ve never liked that Ciara girl. I don’t know why in the world Declan didn’t just cast her out when he could. I know she’s secretly pulling strings when she’s got my son alone. I know she’s got her own agenda she’s pushing.”

  “Ciara Daly?”

  She waved her hand in the air. “At any rate, you’re in a precarious position. You come from an enemy family, and Gael is my baby. I’m well aware of how cold he’s grown to the world. And while I don’t think it’s healthy, I also know it can’t be changed. It’s the man he’s grown into, and he makes it work for him.”

  My heart sank. “Oh.”

  “Which is why you have to be vigilant. Your life here could be hard, only because of what your father’s done to us in the past. We’re civil with him. Our bonds are neutral, at best. But Gael’s always had a tricky side to him. I’ve never been able to predict what that boy will do next.”

  I swallowed hard. “You haven’t?”

  She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I want to speak with you before he gets here because I’m worried about you. I know what it’s like to be a woman in this lifestyle, and even with a loving bond, it gets rough.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  “I have a proposition for you. One that might bring you a bit of comfort.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  She set her coffee down. “My sons don’t understand what I’m doing, but I know they care. They don’t support me, but they don’t dare step on my toes in the process.”

  I furrowed my brow. “I’m not following.”

  She took my hand. “I’ve fallen in love again, Colleen.”

  “That’s—that’s fantastic, Mrs. Callaghan. With who?”

  She sighed. “Richard’s brother. Martin.”

  I blinked. “Oh.”

  “It’s not what you think. It’s not what anyone thinks. But I can’t get anyone to listen to me. Even for a second. I need someone on my side to help them listen to me. There’s so much the boys don’t understand.”

  “Are you sure this is something we should be—”

  “If you support me and Martin, I’ll back you. No matter what you choose to do.”

  “Mrs. Callaghan, I’m not sure if I—”

  “I’m well aware of your situation. I’m well aware of the fact that Gael bought you. Flat out. And I know the kind of rules and the kind of life that comes with that. I’ve seen it far too many times. You have to trust me. We have to trust one another. Trust that my love for Martin is genuine, despite the timing, and I will back you in whatever you choose to do with the situation you’re in. Even if that means running away and never looking back.”

  “I’m—I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you’ll help me.”

  “Help you with what?”

  She sighed as she dropped my hand. “I want to have a dinner with all of the boys—and their women—sometime this week. I want to sit everyone down and make them hear me out. But no matter what I do, I can’t get Gael to even pick up the phone for me.”

  “Speaking of, where is he?”

  “Say you’ll help me.”

  “Mrs. Callaghan—”

  “Say it. Say you’ll help me get Gael to this dinner. Please.”

  I nodded quickly. “Okay, okay. Yes. I’ll—I’ll get him to the dinner. I don’t know about anything else, but we’ll be at whatever dinner you set.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. Thank you so much. None of us have been together since—well, it’s… since I announced to them that I was moving in with Martin.”

  “You are?”

  “Well, right now he’s living here. Since his own place was technically under his brother’s name, it’s gotten tied up in estate issues that Declan won’t address at the moment. So, he’s here until we can be there.”

  Where in the world is Gael? “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  She patted my knee. “I want you to think about what I said, though. What I offered. If you back us, you and I? We’re aligned. And two women with their heads screwed on straight can outsmart and beat out any hoard of people who think with their emo
tions rather than their guts.”

  I sipped my coffee as I thought on her offer. On the one hand, Fiona Callaghan was a powerful ally. What I didn’t know was whether or not she was a powerful ally because of herself or because of who Richard had been. Still, she had poise. She had grace. And she had pull in the community. Even I knew that. And just her hint at the possibility of running away from all of this was too tantalizing to ignore.

  “Okay,” I said.

  She paused. “Okay?”

  I sighed. “I’m not going to lie, I’m worried about what my agreement might do. Gael has demanded loyalty from me in all situations, and I want to keep my word to him.”

  “I’m his mother. I’m not asking you to switch sides. I’m merely asking you to back me on this one thing. In the end, we’re family now, you and I. You’re not taking another side because you want to defend someone else in a family you’re part of now. That’s not how loyalty works.”

  She had a good point. “Okay.”

  “Okay, you’ll do it?”

  I smiled. “I promise you, no matter what, that I’ll get Gael and I to the dinner you set. And whatever happens from there, I’ve got your back. As family.”

  She patted my knee. “As family, sweet girl.”

  “Looks like the two of you are getting along.”

  Gael’s voice pierced the moment as Fiona sat up in her chair.

  “My son, how are—”

  “We can’t stay long. I got held up in traffic. Miss Colleen, are you ready to go?”

  I looked up at him. “Actually, I thought—”

  “Wonderful. The car’s waiting outside to take you home.”

  I watched Gael stare down his mother before my eyes gravitated back to her. The look of sadness in her face tugged at my heart. The way Gael addressed his mother was cold. Devoid of respect. Or love. Or even the basic acknowledgment that they were still connected. It made my stomach roll with sickness. If this was how he treated his own mother, how in the world did I expect him to treat me?

  “You have a safe drive back, okay?” Fiona asked.

  My eyes found hers and I nodded.

  “Thank you. And you take care of yourself, okay?”

  She nodded back at me. “I’ll do the best I can.”