John scowls at me because it’s his job to assess the risks before I get out, but I’ve already done that. I’ve lived my life deciding and evaluating the predators around me.
“It’s fine. Stay outside for now. Watch who arrives. I’ll keep an eye on the vultures inside.”
“I think you should have added more men to the team.”
“They’re working at the estate, securing it for my arrival there.” He understands that my biggest enemy is the one closest to me, Peter. My brother and I don’t quite see eye-to-eye and now he possesses most of the Delaney Family assets and properties. Not that I’m bothered by it or broke. I’m wealthy from my own endeavors and the parts I do retain. Still, as the old adage says, keep your enemies closer.
I enter the church foyer and pull out my notes for my eulogy. I run through the lines as I prepare the words that I will share with the crowd that is gathering at Kilkenny where my father will be laid to rest. My heart’s heavy. The weight of his loss is compounded by the fact that he never got to meet Gloria.
“Are you well, Cormack?” I turn my head and give Siobhan a nod.
“Yes, dear Siobhan.” My sister-in-law looks up at me with profound sympathy.
My father and I were close, whereas my brother and he had constant rows, so the loss meant nothing to him and everything to me.
In fact, he gains everything by my father’s death, so he’s probably having parties left and right. “Where is my brother?”
“With Father Flanagan.” I’m sure he’s going to pay him off to write something nice for Peter to say. He’s always been lazy, greedy, and angling for a bigger presence. He’s the typical spoiled son with too much money and no fucking sense. Not to mention he’s an asshole to boot, especially when it comes to his wife.
“Are you well?” I ask, pressing my hand to hers, giving it a squeeze. She’s a good woman and too good for my brother.
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes; it never does anymore. “Yes, soon we’ll be having this little one and then I will take you up on that offer.”
“Please do. Although I believe you shouldn’t wait.” I’d wish she’d take it now. It’s not like my brother would care if she actually left him. I promised to shelter her and help her escape Peter.
“He won’t hurt his heir, Cormack.” I pray that’s the case, but you can never trust a man who resents the mother of his child, and he most certainly resents her.
I hope not, but he’s a bit unstable. I answer with a half-smile. “Very well. I can’t wait to meet my nephew,” I reply, hearing steady footsteps behind me and knowing exactly who they belong to.
“So brother, when were you going to share the news that you have a woman of your own?” Peter asks, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I shrug it off and scowl. “It’s not the right time to discuss it.”
“Why not?” He raises his voice, pissing me off because we’re in the church and he thinks he can be tough with me. Seeing my reaction, he lowers his tone. “Every person in Dublin saw you with her, including your arrival at her hotel… and your departure.” He finishes by wagging his brows as if Gloria’s just a fuck.
It pisses me off. Not only because that’s not who I am, but because who she is to me. “She’s special and don’t make it sound filthy. She’ll be my wife soon, so watch your mouth before I bust it.”
He throws his hands up, taking a step back and nearly bumping into his wife. He doesn’t apologize to her, but he gives me one. “I meant nothing by it. I just wonder why you didn’t bring her if she’s important. Shouldn’t she meet the man you admired so much?” He says with such animosity that I want to clock him. Still, Peter has a point no matter how annoying he is, but I have my reasons that aren’t his concern.
“In life, maybe, but I don’t want my grief to mar our relationship,” I inform him. It’s not the only reason. With the chance that enemies are searching for opportunities to take us down, I want Gloria away from a potential bloodbath.
“Sound response, but I’m sure she will see it in the news or papers. Have you told her?” Now that’s where I fucked up. I didn’t know how to address the fact that I should be grieving instead of worshipping her. Although Gloria took away all the hurt for a bit. My father would have truly loved her and welcomed her with open arms.
“No, I haven’t. Please drop it. Focus on your own marriage. Soon I’ll be giving her my name.”