“A fire,” he laughs, like it’s just so simple. I guess it could be, but it could also blow up horribly. If it starts going south, I’ll be using Donovan Tate to cover my ass—maybe I’ll do that anyway. It’d be a lot easier to keep all the money instead of giving this asshole any of it.
“Okay, do your thing. If you can handle it on your side, I’ll take this Killian’s call, but you do one thing to try and cross me and I’ll make sure it’s the last fucking thing you do,” I growl, slamming the phone down.
I sit, staring at the ink on my fingers again. I’m going to need all the luck I can get if I’m going to pull this off. Still, that kind of money? That can set my ass up on a beach somewhere, my toes in the sand, sipping a cold one and with a certain curvy blonde-haired goddess at my side.
Rella Masters hasn’t given me the time of day. She doesn’t want a man who is in this life. I don’t see her turning down a man with enough money to keep her pretty ass in diamonds for the rest of her life. I smile. I’m going to get between Rella’s legs yet, and if she’s nice, I won’t make her beg… too much.
CHAPTER 2
BELLE
“This it?”
I look up at my dad, recognizing that tone. He’s in a bad mood and when that happens, he likes to spread it around.
“It’s soup, Dad.”
“A man can starve eating soup, Belle,” he complains.
“I put meat in it,” I tell him, taking my bowl and walking toward the couch.
I don’t know why I bother sometimes. I really don’t. I should have left Dad and Boston in the dust ages ago. The only reason I haven’t is that I know he can’t survive on his own. My dad is shady as hell, and there’s not much good in him. He works for the Irish O’Leary clan. He’s a driver, and I guess if you’re going to work for the mob, that’s the best job to have—because you probably won’t wind up dead. Still, if it involves my dad, I know it can’t lead to anything good. He’s been a bad father, but he kept me from going into an orphanage, or worse, when mom left. So, I guess I feel like I owe him—even if it’s my job as a hairdresser that keeps the roof over our heads and food on the table.
Food he never fails to complain about.
“If a man works all day, he deserves to come home to real meat. Maybe a steak or, hell, even chicken.”
“We had hamburger in the freezer. I had to use all of my check to cover rent and you didn’t pitch in this month,” I remind him.
“I had some bills come up,” he mutters. What he doesn’t say is that he owed his bookie. He’s the same bookie that works for the O’Leary bunch. I wonder if they get a laugh out of the fact that most of the money they pay my father goes back to them? That’s probably why he still has the job with them.
“Sorry, Dad. Grocery shopping will just have to wait until we get paid again. I should make enough on tips at work to keep us fed—albeit cheaply.”
“Our money problems are about to be over, Belle. Yes-sirree! Your old man is about to be sitting pretty. The two of us will be living high on the hog on an island beach somewhere. Just you wait and see.”
“Dad, what are you planning?”
“Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about,” he says. His lips spread into an easy smile that for some reason just makes me more afraid. Once upon a time, my father probably was a good-looking man. Now, the pastimes he has enjoyed have taken their toll on him. His dark hair is grayer now. His teeth are discolored and quite a few are missing. I imagine either the O’Leary’s aren’t choosey on the appearance of their drivers or the fact that Dad’s missing teeth are in the back and hidden unless he smiles. That’s the only reason they haven’t picked up on the fact he’s dabbling in bad shit. He’s been careful. He doesn’t do it at home, but I would have to be completely stupid not to see the signs of his use—or the fact that it seems to be increasing.
“Do not cross the O’Leary’s, Dad,” I warn him.
He walks over to me, and too late, I see his anger. Nerves flutter in my stomach and uneasiness fills me until I nearly choke on the fear. I don’t blink. I do my best to hide any and all traces of fear. I’ve dealt with my father enough to know that showing him any sign of weakness or panic would be bad.