one that he’d used since he’d first accepted me into his flock after I’d run from home. Everything was the same. Old and worn.
The walls were clad with wooden panels which made the room even grimmer, and a set of three windows looked out onto a street.
It was like stepping into the seventies when you came in here, and outside was the promise of the return to the modern world.
“I’m sure, Father. I’ll be attending on Sunday if that’s okay?”
“More than okay, my child,” Doyle said, beaming at her.
I’d told Aoife that Sunday service was an important part of life for all of us. Even Conor, who’d broken his parents’ heart by coming out as an atheist.
When that had happened, I honestly thought Aidan would have preferred him to come out as gay. And Aidan was one of the biggest homophobes I’d ever encountered. He was of the ‘Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve’ belief. But then, he was old-school. So old-school he belonged in this office with the rest of the time warp.
When I’d told her of the duty we’d now be performing as a couple, she’d moaned, “No sleeping in?”
I’d grinned. “Nope.”
Doyle grumbled under his breath. “Still, this expediency is very strange, Finn. You’re certain you’re not with child, Aoife.”
“Very certain, Father.”
“To bypass the calling of the banns, you know how traditional we are, Finn.”
“I do, Father, but as I’m sure you can understand, I want Aoife protected.”
The old coot pursed his lips—Father Doyle wasn’t as old as the church, but he was as decrepit. He steepled his fingers as he narrowly avoided the fact he knew exactly what I, and the rest of the O'Donnellys, did for a living.
“Your father’s been in touch with me,” he murmured. “I thought I was going to see him today.”
“Business called,” I retorted shortly, knowing that even though I’d have loathed Aidan being here, witnessing this as he’d promised last Sunday, I’d have preferred that to his reason for canceling on us.
Some Colombian shitheads had hit another one of our protected businesses—a jewelry store.
Aidan asked for a protection fee from most stores in the area, but unlike most Families, he actually gave a damn. Whatever was taken on his watch, he refunded.
That meant every crime the Colombians committed on our territory was a hit to our wallet.
I was almost certain that they wouldn’t be doing this if they’d known that particular salient fact.
Doyle drummed his fingers against the table. “Wouldn’t you like a big white wedding, Aoife?” he badgered, making me roll my eyes at his attempt to lengthen our engagement.
“No, Father. It wouldn’t be right, anyway. Not with my mother. . . . I should still be in black, after all.”
I had to hide a laugh at that—Aoife, as she was wont to do—had a habit of reading a situation and reading it well.
To anyone else, the idea of wearing black for a year after a loved one’s death was beyond ridiculous. To Doyle? Well, let’s put it this way, when Aidan’s mother had died ten years ago, if we hadn’t attended church with a black band around our arms, Doyle would have sent us home.
In his own way, this man had more power in this parish than anyone else. He had the Rottweiler that was Aidan Sr. at his beck and call, after all.
That was why it was important Aoife impress him. It sure as fuck wasn’t for my benefit.
Doyle sighed at Aoife. “I see no justifiable reason for doing without the banns, but in these circumstances, I will wave it.”
“Much appreciated, Father,” I replied, smiling at him and feeling a huge chunk of relief.
It was ridiculous, considering my business, how much time I wasted in this church, and yet it was as integral to my work as it was sitting in my office.
Nuts.
Aoife squeezed my hand as Doyle told us some of the available dates for the event, and together, we worked out when we’d be getting hitched.
I’d never imagined I’d actively want to tie myself up with a ball and chain, but Jesus, Aoife was so beyond different. I didn’t feel hemmed in, didn’t feel like she was overtaking my life. Hell, I wanted more of her. Wanted her with me all the goddamn time. It was an ache, a constant goddamn ache that I should be ashamed to admit to.
But with Aoife?
Everything made sense.
My inner monster, the fucker that could shoot someone with no compunction, end a life or tear someone a new asshole, was