PUSH: Ultra Alpha MMA Badboy Mafia Romance (Southside Brotherhood Book 2) (27 page)

“You had to drink.” It wasn’t a question.

She wasn’t in any shape for what she needed. Flynn would never touch her either in passion or correction tonight. He needed Lilly, and this altered version of her was not her.

“Okay. Here’s what we are doing. You are drinking this.” He picked up her limp arm and placed the opened bottle of water in her hand. “Drink it.” His voice fell a few octaves when he could see that flash of defiance in her eyes.

“Where’s the booze? Do you have some now? In the room?” He looked at her like a stern father.

She took a long draw from the water bottle and pointed toward the top of the tall carved cabinet that dominated one wall.

Flynn’s arms easily reached up and over, feeling around and finding two shoe boxes, one far heavier than the other. Inside one were two empty bottles of Jameson. Inside the other was a bottle almost full.

Flynn closed his eyes while he did what he could to control his breath.

Not now, man. It’s going to have to wait until morning. Hold the train at the station, deep breath and just take care of her for tonight. Deal with this shit in the tomorrow.

“I’m over twenty-one.” Lilly smiled.

“You aren’t acting like it.” He proceeded to open the bottles and throw them neck down into the bar sink.

“Hey, that’s expensive,” Lilly said.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now? Get up.” He took her by the arm.

“Hey, let go.”

“Let go, my ass. You’re taking a shower, then I’m sitting here until you go to sleep. That’s the end of tonight’s little adventure. Tomorrow, that’s another story; you’ve got some damn shock and awe coming tomorrow. Now, come on.” He pulled at her as she leaned away but got to her feet.

“Hey, listen. Maybe it’s good you’re here. I’ve got sumthin’ to say.”

Flynn rolled his eyes. Drunk people have so much to say. Everything is so important and interesting — to them.

“What’s that?” He sat her down on the corner chair in the bathroom and turned on the jets in the white marble and glass shower big enough for a party, thinking of the many other ways he would like to be spending this time with her.

“I meant what I said today.” She kept pushing her hair behind her ears even though it was already tucked there.

“What part?”

Steam was beginning to billow out from the clear glass walls of the shower.

“That you’re going to get us all killed.” Her voice turned viper, and Flynn locked his eyes on her face as she waited for his reaction.

Why’s she poking the damn bull? Really? Fuck, I hate seeing her like this.

“Come on. You’re getting in the shower.” Flynn reached down, and she jerked her arm away. “Don’t. I’m not playing.”

“I’m not either.” She looked like a dug-in soldier. “This…” She flapped her hand between them. “It’s not good. Not for me, not for my mom. It’s not
good
. I’m sorry. It can’t happen anymore. We can’t happen.”

“Yeah, we’re not talking about that now. The only thing you are going to do is get your ass up and—”

“Stop it!”
Lilly screamed and kicked at him, half crying. “I mean it! You know what happened today? Mac gave me this.”

She reached into her pocket and dangled a single brass key in front of her.

Flynn wasn’t biting. He felt the heat rising in the back of his neck and he had to take in a deep breath and blow it out.

“Itza key.”

“Yeah, it is a key,” Flynn repeated, exaggerating every word.

“A key to
a house
. That Mac gave
me
. ‘Cause I tole him ‘bout us. And he said it was upta me to take you there or let us go there. But, I’m NOT going to.”

Her adolescent brat was out in full force. Gotta love alcohol.

“Really?”

“Yep. But listen ‘cause I mean it. We’re not going there because we’re not going to be anything anymore. Okay? Please, just go away.” Her defiance turned to a begging half-sob, and he heard the crack in her voice.

It took all of his will, but he stood solid, hands in his pockets and let her get it out. From the look on her face, there was more to come.

“Okay?
Go. Away.
” She flipped her fingers toward the open bathroom door like she was dismissing a servant.

“Yeah, that’s not happening.”

“GO!!
God,
we’re not going to ever be anything. You know it and I know it. I mean, it’s stupid, us? Really? No. No.
NO. No.
So, you should go. Because whatever that was that we did, I'ma pretend it never happened. Your name is Dunleavy, after all. You may be the bad apple, the black sheep of the herd, but you’re still part of the bunch.”

She pushed up on the arms of the chair in the beginning of some drunk march of defiance.

“Come here.” He softened his voice and his demeanor.

He knew what she needed and right now, he knew it wasn’t a scolding. She needed to tell him, and he needed her to know she could come to him with anything. Even if it meant she would have a punishment coming later. He would always be there for her. Firm. Fair. But never weak. Kindness, yes. Weakness, no.

“No. Come on.” She drew out the words as she let her head fall to her shoulder. “Don’t. Juss go.”

“I’m not going, babe.”

“I can’t be your
babe.
That’s
what I’m
saying.” Lilly’s voice took on an edge that set Flynn’s teeth together.

A wave of heat passed over his skin as her eyes turned dark, and something inside her shifted. Turned and twisted with a deep anger he’d never seen before.

“Don’t. Now’s not the time. I told you, you’re mine, and I fucking take care of what’s mine. I’m here for you, so do what you’re told. We’re taking your clothes off and you’re taking a shower, like it or not.”

Even with the grip in his chest, blood was pooling in his dick just being this close.

She struggled and banged on his chest, but Flynn turned everything off. Pain had no effect on him, but he shut out her venom and by the time he worked off her jacket, she’d let a haymaker fly and tried to knock him in the temple, finding out just how much it hurt to knock her knuckles into bone.

“Owwww!” She shook her hand.

“Yeah? Good, that was a cheap shot. You hurt yourself more than me. That’s fucking enough.”

She was grousing and kicking, but as he tugged her pants down, she steadied herself and put two warm hands on his shoulders and waves of glowing copper fell over her shoulders and face.

“I still hate you,” Lilly whispered as Flynn guided her into the searing steam.

“I know. It’s okay.”

Every curve and soft valley called to him; his fingertips were shaking as she closed the glass door and he watched the water course over her.

Keep your fucking head, man. Try not to focus on what you wish you were doing with her right now. Beauty needs us with our heads on straight and our honor at the ready.

Just as he felt his breath even out, he listened as Lilly started mumbling to herself. She seemed even more intoxicated now than when she walked in.

“I’m gonna make it work. I can. He’s going to be my husband, and I’m going to be his wife. We’re going to have a bunch of babies, and I’ll name one after you.”

Her head turned as she said the last words. She wasn’t talking to herself; she was trying to kill him.

“What the fuck did you just say?”

“I’m done with this. Next month I’ll be Mrs. Colin Dunleavy, and that’s what I want. So, do you get it now? That’s what
I WANT.
Not you. Not you. You’re going to be my stepson, and I’m going to have a good life here with my husband.”

The last thing Flynn remembered was seeing Lilly’s hand move between her legs and she smiled. Then, everything went black.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Three days.

Four.

Five.

Lilly felt herself sink farther and farther with each pass of the moon. She remembered snapshots. Pieces and words, but it was hard to put together everything from that night.

Her fingers moved on the keys; she talked with the other programmers, the architects, Colin. She became a pleasant, well-mannered robot and worked when she was told, ate when she was told and smiled when appropriate.

It was better than the alternative. The looming cliff that would have surely come if she had allowed herself more of their delusion. For them to continue with a silly fairy tale sure to end in pain for everyone.

She’d had enough tragedy. Living this life, even as it was, would be better.

How did he think it would be possible? I mean, they could have gone on a few weeks. Then what? Call off the wedding? Mom dies. Surely Flynn would have a convenient accident.

She knew what would happen to her. She was too valuable to dispose of, but if her mother died, she would follow her by her own hand.

So, a half-life or no life. She chose the half-life of luxury and safety. It was the best way. Flynn would get to live.

The idea that Colin would find out she wasn’t a virgin on her wedding night only vaguely worried her.

She didn’t care what happened to her body; she could disconnect. She’d done it for years when her uncle used to visit her at night before she managed to get that lock on her door.

Shut down.

Turn off.

It’s not happening.

She could just log the other Irish raping cocks along with her childhood memories. Chalk it up to the family way, once again.

Two nights ago at dinner, Flynn’s chair stood empty. Gideon and Colin quietly ate their dinner as Lilly stared at her plate of green.

“Where’s your brother? I told him he was welcome for dinners. He doesn’t usually pass on food.” Colin asked Gideon.

Lilly’s knife stopped on a pea just for a split second as she saw Gideon’s eyes snap her way with a sick grin then back to Colin.

“Gone. Bronco’s gone, too. Nothing left of his in the guesthouse either.”

“Really? Tomorrow, go see if he’s training at that gym Topher wanted him to watch. Get a track on him. He’s such a wildcard. He doesn’t have access to too many funds; he can’t be far.”

“I checked his family account. He withdrew all the money and paid for a plane ticket to Boston on the travel account two days ago.”

Lilly felt heat rise over her chest and the little dinner she managed to swallow started to come up.

“Boston? What the fuck is he doing in Boston?”

“I don’t know. You know him, probably some bitch in heat caught his eye. Maybe a fight, too. Let him blow off some steam. I think he needs it.” Gideon smiled at Lilly.

“Track his ass down. Get him here. I don’t give a shit what his cock wants; he has work to do. Simple job for his ass, fight at that gym for a few weeks until Topher tells us it’s done. Bullshit, I can’t wait to have this marriage done so we don’t have to owe that jackass anything anymore.”

Colin shoved his Chippendale chair back from the head of the table.

“And you.” He looked at Lilly. “My dear sweet darling, we have a dinner to go to. Friday. Go to Gina’s and get a dress. Formal. It’s an investor’s dinner, so we need to be on our best behavior.”

“Of course. I’ll go in the morning before work. Any particular color or style you prefer?” Lilly gave him a soft smile.

Colin tipped his head and blinked.

“No. Whatever you like. Ask for Holly. She’ll know what you need. And get your hair done, too.”

“Sure. I’m sorry it’s such a mess. I’ll try to do better.”

Colin narrowed his eyes.

“I mean it. I will. I’ve been petulant, and I’m trying to do better. You’ve given me so much already, and I’ve been unappreciative. I’m sorry.”

Gideon put down his knife and fork and smiled, looking from his father to Lilly.

“Good. Well, that will make life easier for us both. I have work to do. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

“Goodnight.” Lilly’s voice was flat as she looked without seeing toward Gideon’s dark stare and wicked smile.

“Well, well. Decided when in Rome, yes?” Gideon took a big bite of his steak.

Lilly sighed and scooted a single pea around her plate in a figure eight.

“Too bad. I think I liked the old you better. More interesting.” He took another bite. He chewed and looked dramatically at the ceiling before swallowing and continuing. “But, this is better for us all. You are the new world, that brain of yours. If he could have found someone else who could put this all together, he would have. Probably still needed to marry you, that’s just how it is, but he doesn’t like you having so much power. Makes him grouchy.” Gideon smiled and gnashed his teeth on the last word. “So. Yes. It will be better. Better for you, for sure. Be an obedient little wife and a useful engine and you may just learn to enjoy the Dunleavy life. I know I have.”