I’ve made it so the security stay outside by the front gates, but even hearing them walk their patrol at the top of every hour has me questioning my sanity.
A sanity I barely have a grip on as it is.
The shadows are restless, and the whispered words are getting louder. Now I really can’t determine if it’s all in my mind or if they are coming from the intruders who have carved their way into my space.
Brenna still refuses to speak with me, but at least she’s not as silent as she was when she first got here. She’s asked for food and where she should go to shower. The room I gave her doesn’t have an adjoining bathroom. I’m not sure why I chose that one for her. Maybe in some weird way I want to make sure she’s still moving around.
I go about my regular day with the added responsibilities my father has thrown onto me. Along with the alliance that we made with the Doyle family came a piece of their business.
The Doyle family is known for having a stranglehold on the construction trade. Both in Ireland and in America.
If anyone wants anything built, it’s not the unions they have to worry about; it’s the Doyle family they have to work with.
Of course, we don’t think to try to take over any of the actual construction work, but the security aspect of it has now fallen on the O’Sullivan family.
Security and protection have never been one of my strong suits. It used to fall to my other brother, Declan. Unfortunately, Declan has found himself in jail. He’ll be in the clink for another few months. I can’t wait for him to get back so he can take this part of the business back over.
Usually I’m the one who makes sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. That shipments make it to where they are supposed to be on time. The one collecting the money that is due to come to us. Pushing that money through the appropriate channels so my father can live his carefree lifestyle back in Ireland with his whores and sheep.
I can do all of this from the comfort of my home. At least I could in the past; with all my father is trying to get me to do now, I’m sure I’ll have to be leaving more often than not.
Rubbing my hand down the side of my face, I realize that my beard has gotten a little out of control. I could trim it. Maybe look a little less like a scruffy homeless person. Then again, who am I trying to look good for. Not Brenna. There’s no need. I’m not here to impress her.
I’m not.
I shake off the errant thought and watch as the fire flickers in the fireplace, a strong wind coming from somewhere as if fighting to get my attention back.
This house has had a hold on me for as long as I can remember. I can lose hours in a day just sitting here watching the fire dance.
That’s exactly how I like it. There’s no need to change.
I’m not sure how long I’m sitting here when the phone on the side table starts to ring. It’s not connected to the outside world, which means Maxim must be trying to get hold of me.
I groan and send up a small prayer that Brenna has thought to test my patience again by trying to run away. This time I’m subject to let the dogs have their way with her.
She’s safer in here than she’d ever be outside. I don’t know what part of that she doesn’t understand.
I push up from the chair and walk over to the phone.
“Yeah?” I answer, already agitated I have to move.
“Mr. O’Sullivan, your brother is at the door requesting to see you.”
Killian’s here? I wasn’t expecting to see him again so soon. This is unlike him. Hell, it’s unlike anyone.
“Fine, let him through.” Before I hang up the phone I add, “In the future, if my brother comes to see me he can be let in. You don’t need to call for approval.”
“Noted. I’ll let the others know as well.”
I hang up once he lets me know that he’s gotten the order.
For a second I wonder if Maxim is as pissed being here as I am having him here. All of the security here now were chosen by my father. I have no connection with any of them. I don’t know how well they are suited for this job or if they have any ill will toward me. I guess it doesn’t matter as long as they stay where I put them.
Seconds later I can hear the sound of footsteps coming in my direction. I guess Killian doesn’t have to search for me. There is only one place I’d be in the house. The parlor room.
“You don’t do very much, do you.” Killian jokes as he enters the room. This time he doesn’t hesitate at the sight of father’s chair. Instead, he grabs one of the side chairs and pulls it next to the large one I have situated in the middle of the room.
“What is there for me to do. I’ve already handled all the business I am going to handle today.” I shrug and slump down into the chair.
