AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He tugs his cell from his pocket and taps out a text. A few moments later, Donnacha bursts into the office, that signature shit-eating grin on his face.
“There he is,” he chortles, sliding his ass onto the edge of Lorcan’s desk. He clasps his hands together and says, “What is this then? A family meeting?” I suck in air through my nostrils, release it through pursed lips.
“You saved my life. Now I owe you both a favor.”
The Quinns glance at each other.
“My favor to you is that I’ll take over Philly.”
Heavy silence. Lorcan eventually interrupts it, saying, “You want to start your own family? I thought you decided it wasn’t for you.”
“It wasn’t.”
He flashes me a knowing smirk. He knows exactly what’s changed my mind.Who’schanged my mind.
“You already said it’ll be a struggle to take over Philly,” I continue. “You’ll be stretched too thin. It’s a relatively small turf. Somewhere I can learn the ropes.” I drag my gaze up to Lorcan, my expression as serious as I can make it. “You know you’ll always be able to trust me, and I know I’ll always have your protection. So, will you allow me to take over Philadelphia?”
After a few long moments, Lorcan rises to his feet. I do the same.
He reaches out his hand, offering a handshake.
“Fucking hell, kiddo. I thought you’d never ask.”
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
CILLIAN
“I have a present for you.”
Valentina’s eyes come alive at the word present, a toothy grin lifting her chubby cheeks. When I pull out the watering can from behind my back, she immediately drops the fistfuls of soil and stretches out for it.
“Mine.Please.”
“Yes, yours.”
It’s small and pink and I spelled her name out on the side with glittery letters. She coos in delight, peering down the spout and giving it a good shake.
“Come on, you gotta earn your keep somehow.”
I take her hand and guide her to the river, holding her tight as she dips the can into the water, filling it up. Then we walk down the cobbled path, back to the six-by-six plot I’ve given to her. With a clumsy fist, she waters her poppies, laughing at the pitter-patter of water splashing against the petals. Once she’s got the hang of it, I step back, watching her work on, or should I say butcher, her little garden.
“Isn’t child labor illegal?”
I turn to see Poppy at the mouth of the bank, cradling a bundle of blankets. I think her son is under there, somewhere.
“I won’t tell if you don’t.”
She laughs, bouncing little Fergus in a way that all mothers always do without thinking. “I won’t tell. I appreciate you letting her come here every Saturday.”
“Yeah, you should. It’s not like I don’t have a city to run.”
That laugh again. Valentina hears it this time and looks up. She drops the watering can and waddles over the damp soil to her mom, wrapping herself around her leg. “Hi, Mommy.”
“Hi, baby,” Poppy chimes, ruffling her red curls. “Are you having fun?”
“Yes.”
