Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Aislinn looked around my place. It had an open kitchen, wooden floors, and white walls. The only furniture in the living room were a black leather sofa, TV and coffee table. Aislinn headed for the windows overlooking the busy street, but thanks to the trees on the sidewalk at least there was some green. When I was looking for apartments, I got several offers for places with views of the Central Park. Woodlawn had very luxurious areas but I decided to move far away from these corners where people were willing to pay a fortune for a glimpse at a bit of green that could never compare to the lush greenery in Ireland anyway. This neighborhood was more down to earth and thanks to the cheaper rent, many of my soldiers lived in the area too. Most of them had big extended families at home in Ireland and preferred to send money back than to waste it on rent.
I could see that Aislinn had expected some sort of decadent abode, maybe a penthouse with golden faucets and a huge roof terrace. “Not what you expected?”
“No, if I’m being honest. It’s not a place you’d expect a filthy rich clan boss to live in.”
“Filthy rich? Doesn’t mean I have to throw my money out of the window. This place is enough for me, and will be enough for the two of us if you can forsake your luxurious life so far. Once we have little Devaneys, we can move into a bigger place.”
Aislinn’s face flashed with shock then disbelief, as if children weren’t part of the deal. For her, this marriage was a limited-time offer, one she’d try to evade the moment she got what she wanted. But I had absolutely no intention of letting her go, and I wanted children.
After a moment to compose herself, Aislinn scoffed. “What luxuries? My mum’s a waitress and so was I. We didn’t have a choice to pick a cheap place to live in order to save money, we simply didn’t have any. I don’t mind living in this place.”
“Then why the face?” I muttered, growing annoyed. I didn’t take many people here, and her initial disapproval felt personal. That bothered me more than I’d have thought. Aislinn was my wife, but I didn’t trust her.
She headed for the window in the kitchen that led to the fire escape. She opened the window and climbed out then sank down cross-legged on the metal grate. I waited in front of the window, watching her carefully.
Tilting her head, she said, “This place feels like something someone would choose as an interim. Something that was never meant to last. As if you picked it because you never intended to stay in New York and still don’t. That’s why you’re still here and still haven’t added any personal touches. It’s as if you plan to return to Ireland any day.”
I gritted my teeth, rage bubbling up. I looked around, trying to stifle my fury, which would only confirm Aislinn’s astute assessment. How could she read me so easily? Now that she voiced her observations, I realized they had a true core. This had never truly felt like home and was never supposed to. When I talked about home, I meant Ireland. I meant Devaney Manor. I meant Dublin. I didn’t mean New York. This was my territory. My men lived here. I had lived here for a long time, and yet my heart wasn’t here.
Aislinn stared off, her red hair tossing in the wind. September was rarely showing its cooler, rougher side, but today, as a wonderful homage to our home country, it did. She reminded me of home, of everything I missed. What was I hoping to accomplish with this marriage? Bring a little bit of home to New York? Fuck. Aislinn didn’t want our marriage nor did she want to stay in New York. She was here for a purpose.
“I’m late for my meeting.” A shipment of explosive components was bound to arrive on a cargo ship from Shanghai. We needed to check the goods and repack it for its transport to Dublin. Dad wanted an update on the shipment so he could talk to Declan, the head of the IRA.
I didn’t want to leave Aislinn. I wanted to spend the next few weeks sucking her clit and sinking my cock into her mouth and pussy, but business came first.
Aislinn shrugged. “Go ahead. I don’t need a chaperone. Seamus can give me a call when he’s ready to pick me up. I’ll walk around the neighborhood for a bit in the meantime.”
“You won’t walk around by yourself,” I said as I held out my hand to her. She took it and allowed me to help her back inside.
“Nobody’s going to attack me. I can take care of myself.”