Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I’m happy to see her too. Isn’t that right, love?” I croon as I lift Shauna into my arms.
She gives me that bright, pretty smile, looking so much like both her mother and father. My brother is a lucky man and doesn’t even know it. I wanted DJ to be my wife by now.
She should be pregnant with our second baby at this point. However, she’s not even speaking to me. She barely allowed me to kiss her goodbye this morning.
The only reason I’m not home trying to make things right is because I think I need to give DJ and that temper some space. Besides, I wanted to come and check on my niece. I plan to hang out in my apartment here for the night.
I need to plan the move to New York. I don’t think I should move Shauna. No one has found out about her as far as I know. The McGowans will watch over her if I ask and one of my sisters will be back here before I leave.
I need to give DJ something tangible. No more empty promises. However, I know the moment she hits the city, she’s going to be a target.
For years, people have looked for my weakness. I’ve never had one, not until now. When I first got to America, everyone thought my accent was my weakness.
Then they thought I couldn’t fight back. I proved them wrong on both accounts. I became a terror in those Brooklyn streets and earned the name. There wasn’t a place in Brooklyn I couldn’t go.
After all the trouble I’ve caused, those streets are just waiting for me to offer up a soft underbelly. If I’m taking DJ home, I need to have a plan to keep her safe. Add the Alliance and those I’ve pissed off here who have family back in New York, I have a lot to think about.
It’s not like I can be everywhere at once. Still, there’s no doubt about it, I’m taking DJ home. We’re not going to be apart like this anymore.
“Sorry, Uncle ’ole.” Shauna pouts as the rest of her cone lands on the ground, but not before making a trip down my shirt.
I smile and peck her cheek. She’s still trying to learn to say my name, but gets tripped up on the C. The tears that well up in her eyes take a stab at me.
Placing her back on her feet, I then hand her my half-eaten cone. She smiles brightly as Aisling takes her hand. Placing my palm on the top of her head, I then smooth it over her curls.
“Phanks,” she sings as she smiles up at me.
“Yer welcome, love.”
“Do ya want to have dinner with us?” Aisling asks.
“I’ll think about it. I have some things I need to handle.”
“Oh, okay.”
I purse my lips and shake my head. I will not miss this one when Logan does get home. I swear her ass called my name on purpose yesterday while I was on the phone with DJ.
This shit is becoming the problem I told Kate it would be. I’m not here for her, I’m here for my niece. I wouldn’t feel comfortable having dinner with her with no one else around.
***
I didn’t have dinner with Shauna and Aisling. Instead, I’ve been in my apartment next door making calls back home to check the temperature on things. I want to get DJ out of here as soon as possible.
LaSalle believes things are going to heat up soon with Logan’s return. Apparently, they are getting closer to getting him out. This could be good.
“You want to tell me what all this is about?” LaSalle asks on the other end.
“It’s … it’s nothing,” I murmur. “Just have some things I want to move around.”
“You know you can talk to me. I’d rather know now than later when you need me to step in.”
“Aye, I hear ya. It’s fine. I—”
I knit my brows as the sound of my car alarm goes off. Shirtless and shoeless, I rush to look out the window. It’s been raining for the last hour. Now it’s not as heavy as earlier, but I can still see the mist falling.
“Fuck, I need to go,” I rush out as I focus on the sight before me.
Deja
A fucking girlfriend and a baby. He has a girlfriend and a baby. Not any girlfriend either. He’s fucking Aisling.
My old friend from the softball team. The way she used to drool at the mention of his name makes me sick to my stomach. I can’t believe he did this to me.
I watched from Pricillia’s car as they walked down the lane like a little family. I’ve been stewing in her car for hours waiting for him to leave, but he’s been here all this time. Hours, he’s been here for hours.