My mother looks reluctant to leave us alone, but it’s Athair that comes to our rescue.
“How about you kids go upstairs and talk it out? Come, Saoirse. Our dinner is getting cold, and we’re being rude to our guest.”
He wraps an arm around her waist and physically pulls my mother away, Father Doyle taking the lead back to the dining room.
“Come on,” I order, walking up the stairs, not wanting anyone to eavesdrop on our conversation. Rosa follows my lead, Shay and Colin right behind her. I walk over to my old bedroom and close the door once everyone is inside.
“Let me guess,” my brother is quick to shout, already bursting with rage. “This is the bit where you tell us that Col and I are no longer needed, isn’t it, you fucking prick?”
“No, it’s not,” I tell him, shrugging off his insults while taking off my suit jacket and throwing it to the floor. I look at the piece of discarded clothing and cringe. “Did you know I fucking hate this suit? That this tie I put on every morning feels like a noose around my neck? I hate it so much I sometimes fantasize about using a blowtorch to set my whole wardrobe on fire.”
“So don’t wear it,” Shay mutters, confused. “No one is putting a gun to your head, forcing you to wear that shit.”
“You’re right. From here on out, I won’t.”
“Are you drunk right now, Tiernan, because you aren’t making any sense? What does that have to do with anything? What does it have to do with us? With petal?”
“Everything,” I let out an exaggerated exhale, slumping my shoulders. “After Patrick died and I had to take over for Athair, I lost myself in my grief and in the role of Boss. And somewhere along the line, I also lost who I was. This suit, the big corner office, all of it isn’t me. But I put it on and did a job I hate, just because the world expected it of me. I’m tired of living a lie, brother. I want to live a life that’s full. Truly full. And it took me marrying the daughter of my enemy to realize that.”
Rosa beams her big bright smile at me, standing at my side and entwining her hand in mine. I lift her chin to me and kiss her lips.
“I didn’t realize how dead I was before you breathed life into me. I can never truly express how grateful I am for you, but I will try and show you every day what an honor it is to have you as my wife.”
“I love you,” she mouths, squeezing my hand in hers.
“The fuck?! Is this why you wanted to talk to us? To rub it in our faces that you two are now together?” Shay exclaims, pulling out strands of his hair.
“I don’t think that’s why they are here,” Colin answers for me, hope making his green jeweled eyes glimmer.
“You always were a quick read, Col. My brother here isn’t as fast at catching on to things.”
“Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on here?!”
Rosa unlocks her hand from mine, walks over to my brother, and presses her flat palms on Shay’s chest until he is forced to sit on the bed. She then sits on his lap, shocking him silent when she plants a kiss to his lips. Of course, the greedy fucker deepens it, jamming his tongue down my wife’s throat so all of us can see. When they pull apart, my wife is wearing the cutest little blush on her cheeks, and Shay is no longer the belligerent fool he was acting like a few minutes ago.
“He’ll behave now,” she singsongs, nestling her head on his shoulder. “Continue, husband.”
“Thank you, wife. I’ll remember to use that little trick in the future when Shay is acting like an ass.”
“Bite me, fucker,” he retorts, but there’s no heat in his words. Only adoration as he entertains himself by brushing his petal’s long hair off her shoulder and down her back.
When I feel Colin’s gaze on me, silently asking for permission to draw closer to his woman, I give him a nod. In three long strides he sits beside Shay, pulling Rosa’s long legs to also fall on his lap, his hand carefully cupping her cheek.
“Hi,” she coos, batting her eyelashes.
“Hi,” he chokes out as if in pain.
“Missed me that much, have you?” she taunts when he takes off her shoes and begins rubbing the soles of her feet.
“Yes,” he groans, keeping his answers short and to the point.
“He missed you so much that he wanted my blessing to move across the pond and back to the old country,” I explain, thankful I didn’t submit to his demand.
“You were going to leave me?” she asks, hurt.