To me, his is the only opinion that ever has.
“I’m being serious, Shay. Why do you even care? I’m no one to you.”
He takes a bit to think about it, his happy-go-lucky expression turning serious once again.
“You want the truth?”
“Si.”
“Because I need to believe that someone in Vegas is showing my kid sister the same kindness right now.”
The rough chain of steel that had been tightening its hold around my heart since I stepped foot on U.S. soil suddenly gives way and loosens. My own self-pity goggles lift from my eyes, and for the first time tonight, when I turn my attention to the Kelly family feasting amongst the joyful crowd, I see pain hidden behind their smiles.
I watch my husband camouflage his sadness over his absent sister by surrounding himself with his men and drinking the night away. I notice how Colin stands guard on the side, vigilantly watching his fearless leader, making sure no outside threat can harm him while he drowns his sorrows.
I remember how Niall Kelly refused to look at me. How his wife, Saoirse, was only able to say a couple of words to me, since my presence must be a painful reminder of the daughter they lost to the treaty.
And last but not least, sits Shay in front of me, who throughout the whole night has been trying to keep his hands and mind busy and away from his sister’s fate by seeking warmth in any woman’s arms.
The Kellys may be savage beasts like my brother had forewarned, but even an animal is capable of feeling the pains of love and loss. It’s Shay’s raw honesty that has me conceding to his wishes.
“One dance,” I say at last.
His wide smile is immediate.
“One dance,” he agrees. “Just give me two seconds,” he says before rushing off to the DJ on the other side of the room.
I try not to fidget in my seat while I wait for his return.
But when he does, I can’t help how my heart flutters in my chest when he offers me his hand.
“May I have this dance?”
“How can I say no to such a request?”
Virgen de Guadalupe, ayúdame.
Chapter 7
Tiernan
“Shay has sure gone and done it now,” I hear one of my men say behind me.
“Can’t see a pretty lass and not put his hands on her. Shame,” another one utters critically.
“Boss, I think your brother is trying to sneak off with your prize.” A few others cackle unashamedly.
I turn around to see what all my men are snickering about, only to find my wife, hand in hand with my brother, as he leads her to the dance floor. The music suddenly stops when their feet touch the vinyl, making everyone that was dancing disperse to the side, leaving the floor empty for my new bride to have her first dance with my brother, no less.
Custom says that I should have the honor, but apparently Shay doesn’t agree.
When Colin sees the unlikely pair and figures out what’s about to happen, his green eyes turn a shade darker. Instantly, he breaks from the rigid stance he’s held all night, with the goal of pulling Shay by his hair, if need be, far away from my bride. Before my cousin has time to fly past me in a disgruntled rage, I shake my head, keeping him from taking another step.
“Leave him be,” I order, taking another sip of my whiskey, hating that the liquid hasn’t made much of a dent in my sobriety tonight.
“I don’t like it,” Colin mutters beside me.
“You don’t like most of Shay’s shenanigans. So why should this be any different?” I take another pull.
“Boss—”
“I said leave it,” I repeat more harshly.
This time Colin doesn’t protest, crossing his arms over his chest disapprovingly.
It’s not that I don’t understand why my cousin is pissed at my baby brother’s latest show of insubordination. It’s just that I don’t care. Shay has always danced to the beat of his own drum, and thinking that I can control him in any way, shape, or form is setting me up for failure. I’ve always given Shay free rein to do as he pleases, knowing that ultimately his loyalty starts and ends with me. If I learned anything from the great leaders of the past, it’s that family can either make you stronger, or it can be the chink in the chain that finally destroys you. Many a mafia boss have been overthrown and killed by their own kin—brothers, cousins and uncles who got weary of taking orders and decided that they could do a better job of being in charge of the family business. Shay has never given me any reason to think he wants my seat at the head of the table, but I’m not foolish enough to give him one, either.