him as I settled back in the leather armchair opposite his desk, I dropped the bag to my left, and tried to figure out a way to explain shit to him that would make him agree to the plan Conor and I had concocted.
“Look, it’s not going to cost us much. Not when we hack into the Colombians’ accounts.”
“If we can,” Eoghan interrupted.
“You don’t have much faith in your brother if you think he can’t,” I said dryly. “That security shit was a one-time thing.”
“If it can happen once, maybe it can happen twice,” Aidan intoned, his words grim.
I shook my head. “No. You said it yourself, we’ve all grown lax where security is concerned.” Pressing my fingertips together, I murmured, “Look. Once we get that money, we’re okay. I have to front the money now because the Mexicans are insistent and it’s going to take Conor some time to get shit together.”
“Why, though?” Eoghan questioned.
“The Mexicans don’t trust the Russians,” I stated bluntly. “Look, the twenty-five million I’m finding has to go into escrow. We won’t be able to touch it until the initial period of agreement is over. By that point, Conor will have gotten it back for us.”
“So, the Mexicans are agreeing to ship to the Russians. That’s in writing?”
“Yeah, of course,” I told him. “The Mexican side of shit is dealt with. The minute the money is in the account, they’ll start transporting it here. With the Russians’ coke shipments secured, they’re a go also.”
Aidan rubbed his chin. “And the other?”
I cut a look at Eoghan, well aware he didn’t know what Aidan meant by that, so I simply nodded—Vasov was willing to tie our Family to his in more ways than just business.
Clearing my throat, I changed the subject by saying, “He’s agreed to get the leader to us.” I tilted my head to the side and asked, “I thought you gave me a green light on this, Aidan? What’s wrong?”
“Man’s allowed to question shit.”
“Not when I’ve already started moving the fucking money,” I growled. “I’ve loosened up five million, Aidan. If you want to change shit, it’s a bit late for that.”
Aidan waved a hand, then slouched back in his desk chair. “How’s Aoife?”
What was it with the O'Donnellys today and my wife? “She’s getting better.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Can I go now?” I requested. “I was on my way to her.”
Eoghan snorted. “I bet you were.”
Aidan frowned at his son who just grinned. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I insisted.
“Just taking the mick, Da.”
Rolling his eyes, Aidan grumbled, “My son, the joker.”
I got to my feet, antsy to get this vibrator well away from Aidan. God only knew what he’d say if he found out. I’d probably get a lecture from him about how good Catholics didn’t use sex toys.
That was the last thing I needed.
“Look, if you don’t need me?”
Aidan flicked his fingers in a dismissal, and just when I was a few feet away from the door, he said, “Lena says Aoife doesn’t want a family.”
Closing my eyes, begging for patience, I turned back and murmured, “That’s nobody’s business but hers or mine.” But even as I said it, I was well aware this was the reason Aidan had brought me here.
Shit. What had Aoife said?
“Not normal for a Catholic woman not to want a family,” Aidan retorted.
“She’s just been shot up, Da,” Eoghan inserted, and I shot him a grateful look. “In the abdomen. She couldn’t have kids yet if she wanted to.”
“She’s depressed?” Aidan asked, and fuck him, I heard the relief in his voice.
Depression would have Aoife’s unique view of children make some semblance of sense.
Did I lie? Christ. I never lied. But in this instance, it would clear things up sooner…
In the end, I decided I preferred my tongue where it was. “No. She’s fine. She’s just very sore.” I cleared my throat. “Look, we talked about it before we were married. She wants them. The shooting changed shit. You can understand that, right? She’s questioning a lot of things at the moment.”
“Tell her we’d keep your kids safe.”
I had to admit, the ferocity in his voice warmed me. “I know, Aidan. I’m sure she does too.”
He grunted. “Well, as long as you know you can change her mind…”
I snorted. “Would you have me annul the marriage because she won’t give me kids?”
I wanted a family. But only with Aoife. If she wasn’t willing to give me kids, and I couldn’t talk her into it, then I didn’t have the