“Your father and Tiernan gave their word. There is no turning back now,” Colin retorts adamantly.
“Hence why we’re here. Now quit your whining and look alive. We don’t want Alejandro to think we’re soft.”
“I still don’t like it,” Colin mumbles, aggravated, crossing his huge tattoo-sleeved arms across his chest.
“Yeah, what else is new? If it’s not a warm wet mouth wrapped around your cock while you play with your chemistry set, there isn’t much you do like,” I taunt, giving him my best wolfish grin, hoping it’s enough to get him out of his foul mood.
But like most days, Colin doesn’t bat an eye at my light provocation. In fact, I have yet to see anything truly get under his skin. I should know, since throughout the years I’ve known him I’ve tried my best to get a rise out of my cousin with very little success.
Athair says that’s how they make them back in Ireland—brooding, big, and mean. Colin fits that to a T, alright. Born and bred in Dublin, Colin has all the traits that my father holds in the greatest esteem. Athair’s fondness for my cousin has only grown since his folks died over a decade ago in the Mafia Wars back in the old country, requiring him to be shipped stateside to live with us. He’s like a brother to me and Tiernan, albeit a taciturn one. I love the bastard, even if our personalities are like oil and water.
While Colin prefers to keep his scowl in place at every turn, solidifying his serious prickly temperament, I’ve always found humor to be a better bedfellow. Our way of life is somber enough to take so seriously. If you can’t have a couple of laughs, then what’s the point?
‘Don’t let your mouth write cheques your ass can’t cash, Shay,’ Athair is fond of warning me when he thinks I’ve stepped over the line with my big mouth.
It’s funny really.
I remember a time where he used to say the same thing to Tiernan growing up. But that all stopped ten years ago when my older brother’s fate was sealed in a twisted, almost Shakespearian-like fashion.
Iris’， too.
Fuck.
Just thinking about how easily Athair sold her to the Bratva still sets my teeth on edge. If I had it my way, I’d rather wage war with all these fuckers than have any of us marry into their families.
But then again, I’m not the boss, nor will I ever be if I can help it.
I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that Tiernan lives a good and long goddamn life if it ensures that I’ll never wear the heavy crown that’s currently placed on his head. Being the boss of the Irish mob comes with too many sacrifices. Too many strings being pulled in all directions, and I’ve never liked being anyone’s puppet. It takes a level head and a cold heart to do what needs to be done, and though life has been hard on all of us, my heart still beats and refuses to be tamed.
“Looks like it’s showtime,” I announce, my gaze landing on the tarmac and on the private jet that is quickly traveling down it. “That must be them.”
Colin nods in reply.
“Shit. I pity my fucking brother. To have to marry a Hernandez, of all people, feels like someone is stabbing a blade into my heart. I can only imagine how he must be feeling right about now.”
“He’s the boss. He doesn’t have to feel.”
I lean off the hood of the car so I can stand up straight and stare at my cousin.
“If I didn’t see with my own two eyes that you bleed red just like the rest of us, Colin, I would swear you’re a fucking robot. Of course, Tiernan feels. Just because he’s the boss, as you put it, doesn’t mean he can switch off his feelings just by snapping his fingers. We are human, you know?”
Colin refuses to acknowledge me, his focus still directed to the now landed plane behind me.
“I bet you feel shit, too, don’t you, Mr. Roboto?” The corner of my lip tugs upwards. “Yeah, I bet under all that hard demeanor there is just a teddy bear dying to get out. I bet when no one is looking you’re the type of guy that watches Hallmark movies with some red wine and a box of tissues.”
When he growls under his breath, my head falls back in a cackle.
“You are too fucking easy to wind up, chol ceathar,” I joke, even though my remark couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Don’t say shit like that in front of Alejandro,” he warns.
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I know how to deal with that fucker.”
“Hope that’s true because he’s heading this way.”