Irish Rogue: Brooklyn Kings, Book 5 by L.K. Shaw

Author:L.K. Shaw [Shaw, L.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 23

Paddy

* * *

The delivery driver has long been gone and still, Anya hasn’t made an appearance. Then again, why should she? Jaysus, when did I turn into such an asshole? I put the leftover breakfast in the fridge. Hopefully, when she’s ready, she’ll be down. I carefully compose a text message, checking it over three times before sending it, and then head out the door.

The drive into Italian territory doesn’t take nearly long enough. But, I need advice, and there’s only one person I trust to keep quiet about it. I find a place to park a few streets down from my intended destination. The walk gives me a bit of time to think, although it doesn’t do any good. Nothing does except for cleaning my guns. It’s the one thing that settles my mind.

I step through the front door and into the lobby of the six-story building. It’s always been a bit pretentious, in my opinion, with its gleaming, white marble floors and wall-to-wall windows that let the sun shine in and reflect off the various sculptures on giant pedestals peppered throughout. It does remind me a bit, though, of standing outside in my mother’s garden with the constant scent of fresh flowers heavy in the air.

“Good morning, Mr. Donnelly. Are you expected today?” the security guard seated behind the desk asks.

“Yes. No need to announce me.” I press the elevator button. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long.

It’s a short ride up to the fifth floor. Toys are scattered throughout the entryway outside the townhouse. I step over a dump truck tipped on its side and knock on the door. Stomping footsteps come closer, and it’s flung open.

“Hi, Uncle Paddy,” a gap-toothed smile greets me.

“Hey, squirt.”

“Saoirse, what did I tell you about opening the door without me?” Brenna lightly scolds as she comes to join us.

“But, mama, it’s just Uncle Paddy.”

My sister presses a kiss to the top of her daughter’s strawberry blonde hair. The same color as Brenna’s when we were little. “Yes, I see that. Why don’t you go help Marta with the twins?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Saoirse runs a few steps and then turns around and rushes back to throw her arms around me. “Bye, Uncle Paddy.”

She’s gone again before I can even recover. I stare after her and then glance at Brenna. “What happened to that quiet, pensive child in the last couple weeks?”

Despite the passing years, and four children, my sister still looks eighteen. With a sigh, she steps close and gives me a hug. “I wish I knew. Apparently, Cristiano is rubbing off on her. Or maybe it’s Franco. He came over one day with Marta, and apparently, my daughter has developed something of a crush.”

I stare in horror. “Isn’t he our age? She’s five.”

Brenna chuckles. “Five-year-olds can have crushes.”

“Not on thirty-year-olds, they can’t.” I might need to have a talk with this Franco.

She grabs my arm and drags me across the living room to the couch, pulling me down beside her. “You’re being ridiculous.

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