Mafia King (Young Irish Rebels #2) - Vi Carter Page 0,52
existence in the Republican Army was kept quiet.
I step into the gold bathroom that costs too much fucking money. The shower takes up half the bathroom, and it doesn’t give me the comfort it used to. Turning on the water, I let it pour down my back, seeking freedom from a never-ending cycle of guilt.
That day I gave that order like it was for a fucking coffee. I knew there would be children and women at that march. They weren’t mine, so it didn’t matter.
I press my hand against the tile, and blood flows down the sleek surface.
A movement behind me drags me out of my thoughts. I don’t turn fully but look at Emma over my shoulder.
She’s fucking with my head. Like a ghost, I don’t need to see.
“I don’t know what to do.” Her confession comes out in half a laugh and half a sob as she wraps her arms around her waist.
I didn't know what to do with her either. I was only sure that I didn’t want to give up my seat with the South. This could change everything. I could right all the wrongs to have control in both parts. I could stop the senseless violence. I hated Liam O’Reagan, but he was as powerful as Lucian.
She looks like she’s in pain. I can’t help but look at the bruises on her fragile neck. I exhale loudly. “You can choose to be different, Emma. You can choose to stop the cycle.”
She blinks, and tears spill. “How?”
“Don’t ever follow an order without questioning it. Never be in a position where you can’t question it.”
Emma’s gaze trails lower, like she’s just realized I’m naked. “What about you?”
Guilt still churns heavily in my gut. “I’m trying to fix things.”
“That man, Michael?”
I turn away from Emma; that’s not something I want to talk about. “That’s different.” I start to wash myself, letting her know this conversation is over.
The silence makes me think she’s left. She hasn't. She's still standing in the bathroom. She’s looking around her with a look of pure despair on her features.
I turn off the water, and she looks at me. Why do I feel like I owe her?
“Michael took my brother from me for three grand. Frankie was…” I’m trying, but the words fail me.
I pass Emma and get a towel off the rack.
“You really miss him,” Emma states.
I close my eyes, just wanting her to leave.
“My brother Noel. He’s my best friend.” A small shaky laugh has me opening my eyes. “I can’t imagine if anything happened to him. I think it would …”
I turn, running the towel across my face. Emma’s bottom lip trembles, and she sucks it in between her teeth. The innocent act causes my cock to harden.
I continue to dry myself but don’t hide my growing erection. The moment she spots it, her cheeks redden.
“I’m just saying…”
I turn away from Emma. “Just leave it.”
“I think you’re better than this.”
Her words should anger me, but they don’t. I want to cling to them. I want to believe what she’s saying because Frankie always said I was better than the rest. Better than even Da.
“You are so delusional, love.” I turn and grin at Emma. “I won’t stop until every single person who was involved in my brother’s death is eradicated from this earth. I don’t care how long it takes or the cost. Every single person will die.”
“You will destroy yourself,” Emma pleads.
I laugh at the naïve beauty in my bathroom. There is nothing left in me to destroy. I just want to avenge my brother and stop destroying others.
That included Emma, but I needed to keep her to keep Liam happy.
I wasn’t doing a very good job at winning her over. Her gaze darts lower, and I take a step towards her. One part of me says leave her alone, and the other wants to bury myself in between her legs and just get lost in her.
It’s selfish.
It’s wrong.
It’s winning.
I clear the distance between us and kiss her. She’s frozen under me for a millisecond when she responds, her kisses are frantic and drive the lust in me to a new height.
Her clothes are the only thing in the way. I’m not gentle as I pull her top off. I can’t be. Her flesh is warm, and I press quick kisses along her shoulder and up towards her neck. She bends her head and allows me access.