When I leave the flat and climb into the taxi, I see the same SUV from before but I don’t see Seamus anywhere. Kayla had called me while I was packing and arranged for me to meet them at the airport instead. I’m going to use this time away to lock up my heart. I don’t want to be with someone who can push me aside so easily just like my parents did.
Aidan
* * *
It’s been two weeks of not seeing her.
Not touching her.
I’m an angry man right now. When I took over the organization, I told my father we didn’t need to be so brutal. Yes, I have my nickname, but that was from before I took over the family. When I would kill as my father wanted. Now, I try to run the organization as a legitimate business. Less on the illegal side, but I will kill if I have to. And right now I want to kill everyone. I want to turn the streets of Belfast red with the blood from everyone who is keeping Fiona from me.
I look out the windows of my office at the snow-covered track below me. The rain from this morning has changed to snow. This is my mood lately, dreary and cold. My phone vibrates across my desk behind me. I turn to pick it up and see it’s a video call. I connect the call.
“Seamus, why are you video calling me?”
In the two weeks since I last saw her, she spent a week in Surrey and has been home the other. Seamus is still following her along with Grady. I don’t care what she said about not wanting to see me or Seamus; I’m going to make sure she’s safe if it’s the last thing I do. He doesn’t say anything and flips the camera to face in front of him. I see the bakery Fiona works at. The bakery I not only paid to have repaired but upgraded the security and had a camera installed in the kitchen so Lex can keep an eye on her for me. I won’t deny that I’ve linked into that camera and watched her every day. I also can’t deny that I don’t watch her at home too. I’m a sick possessive man.
I lean forward to see if I can see her through the now bulletproof windows we installed, but instead I see a man sitting at a table. My body goes rigid as anger sets in.
“What the bloody hell is he doing there?” I growl into the phone.
“He showed up here about two minutes ago. He ordered and has been sitting there waiting.”
“I’m on my way.”
I hang up and send a text to Shane to meet me downstairs with the SUV. As I walk past the wall I kissed her against, I stop and take it in. My cock is instantly hard with the memories of her naked chest pressed against me. I don’t know why my father is at that bakery, but I’m going to find out. I don’t know how he learned about her either.
As soon as the automobile pulls up out front, Seamus jumps into the front passenger seat.
“He’s still sitting there waiting. He talked to the owner for a moment but hasn’t done anything but sip his tea and look out the window.”
I look over, and sure enough, he’s looking right at the SUV. Well, no better time then now.
I open the door without waiting for Shane and step out onto the street. I take in my surroundings and immediately spot my father’s security detail. I hear the other doors open and turn to see Shane and Seamus standing there waiting to see what I’m going to do. I’m not afraid of my father and I know he wouldn’t hurt Fiona, but I’m confused as to why he’s here.
I make my way across the street and enter the shop. The bell dings, alerting the employees of my arrival. I nod at the older woman behind the counter as she welcomes me. I move to where my father is sitting. In front of him is a cup of tea along with what looks like an éclair. Across from him is a cup of coffee and a pain au chocolat. The flakey viennoiserie is one of my favorite pastries.
“Hello, Da.” I take him in. I saw him for dinner a month ago. He stands, and at his six-foot-two height, he tips his head slightly down to my five-foot-eleven frame. He reaches out a hand and folds mine in his as he pulls me in for a brief hug. It’s only since he’s gotten older and retired that he gives me hugs freely. As I pull from his embrace, my eyes move to the swinging doors I know Fiona is behind. Being this close to her and not being able to touch her or see her causes my chest to ache.
“Have a seat.” My father points to the seat across from him.
“It looks like you already have company.”
“It’s for you. Took Seamus long enough to call you.” His deep chuckle lets me know he’s very aware of my guys watching this place.
“I thought I would stop by and check out this bakery. When Paddy told me you called him in to do some work here, I thought I would see what the fuss was all about.” He swings his still muscular arms wide at the shop. Paddy is the foreman I put in charge of the work here. I should have known he would be loyal to my father and was still in contact with him. I nod my head at my father.
“Old gaffer probably ran to you as soon as I hired him.”
“He called me right afterward and said you asked him to help you with this job. I was confused at first…”
“Can I get you anything else, Mr. Tiernan,” the older woman says as she stands next to our table.
“Everything is perfect, Mrs. O’Sullivan. I have to tell you this éclair reminds me of when I was in Paris years ago. You do amazing work.” He chuckles as he tips his head to her. I watch as she blushes at his flirting. At sixty-one, the old man still attracts the ladies, but he’s been single since my mum’s death.
“Oh, you’re too kind, but I didn’t make those. That’s the work of my pastry chef, Fiona. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu and apprenticed with a French pâtissière for a while before I hired her. She’s amazing.” Mrs. O’Sullivan brags about my girl and my chest swells with pride for her.
“I’d like to thank her personally.”
