Page 51 of Celtic Dragon
Just as we’re finishing up in the kitchen, I catch a whiff of the familiar smell of cigar smoke. The smell reminds me of my dad when I was a little girl. He always had a cigar in his mouth, and the sweet cherry smell always brought a smile to my face. After walking into the living room, I’m surprised to see that Caden is the one smoking.Oh, my …He looks so strong and confident. It’s sexy and it makes my mouth water. Too bad there are so many people here.
I smile and saunter over to him. He moves his leg to make a seat for me and gestures for me to sit on his lap. I plop my butt down and snuggle up against him. “Nice cigar,” I say.
“It’s my new thing. Ya like?” he replies.
“I do. The smell reminds me of Dad.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot that your dad smokes cigars.”
“Yeah, but beyond the smell, there is something about that cigar that makes you look damn sexy … not to mention the scruff.” I take my hand and run it along his beard.
He moans and then laughs. “Babe, I don’t need a cigar to make myself look sexy. I’m already sexy,” he says teasingly.
“Yes, that you are.”
The guys talk for a while. Liam, the man that Cade said was helping them find his aunt and uncle, eventually excuses himself. He tells Cade that he has a few details to iron out. Cade nods as if they have an unspoken agreement between the two of them. “That reminds me,” Cade says, “I need to make a few calls myself.” He motions for me to get up and says, “Sorry, babe. Let me get this taken care of and then we can discuss those notes.” I nod as he gets up from the chair. He looks over to his brothers and says, “When I’m done, let’s meet downstairs.”
“You got it, boss,” Rebel says.
Cade leaves the room and heads out the front door while the rest of us continue to hang out and catch up.
Chapter 19
Caden
“Ice,” Declan says into the phone.
“We’ve got a lead,” I reply.
“Good! What can we do to help?” he asks.
“They’re at Maghaberry Prison. I need four guys—two to watch the front entrance and two to watch the back where we’ll take them out. Can you spare anyone?”
“We got you. Like I said before, we’re here to help with whatever you need. When and where?”
I proceed to fill him in on the details. Once he has everything down, I thank him and disconnect the phone.
Now that my purpose for being in Ireland is coming to an end and all the details have been finalized, it’s time to deal with the next pressing matter at hand—Emma’s fucking stalker. I go back into the house to round everyone up.
“Reb, let’s take this discussion downstairs.” I look at Emma and say, “You and Honey come, too.” It’s my way of saying that I don’t want the extended family to know our business.
Once we get downstairs, everyone grabs a seat at the table. I say, “So, I bet you all are wondering why the girls are here.”
Doc speaks up and says, “Well, the thought did cross my mind, but I wasn’t gonna ask.” He laughs. “Not my business, man,” he adds.
“Me too,” says Ryder. “I figured that was between you and your old lady.”
“Well, for the record, it’s not a thing between me and my old lady, Ryder. This is more pressing and fucking serious, so cut the laughter.”
“What’s up, boss?” Doc asks, the smile disappearing from his face.
“Well, it appears that we have another situation back home: threatening notes and a fucking stalker. This guy—I assume it’s a guy—is after her as well as me. My first thoughts go directly to Grayson, but … shit, I don’t know. I have nothing on this.”
I continue, “I want to call Hawk and get his take on this, but I also want you all here when I do. Who knows, maybe he’s gotten more info since the girls left the States.” I turn toward Emma and say, “But before we call Hawk, why don’t you get the boys up to speed on what you know?”
She nods and proceeds to tell them about the threats, the rose, and the rattlesnake.
“Fuck, Emma! A rattlesnake? Did anyone get hurt?” Rebel asks.
