Page 47 of Celtic Dragon
What Liam says makes sense to me. And once Rebel realizes it’s the only way, I know he’ll be on board too. Looking at Rebel, I say, “I’ll call Willie. You need to call Dbag. We need IDs for them, DLs, and passports.”
Nodding, Rebel says, “Got it.” He pulls out his phone as he steps out of the room.
“Liam, now that Rebel has left the room, I need you to be straight with me.”
“Ok … what?”
“Is this gonna work? I don’t want to get my brother’s hopes up if this is going to turn out to be a total bust. I’d rather lay it out on the line for him now so he knows.”
“I won’t lie to you, it’s definitely risky. But when you place it against the alternative, ‘cause they’ll surely die in the hands of the British, you have to ask yourself, is it a risk worth taking?” He pauses and then adds, “If it were my family, I would say it is.”
I think about his words and then reply, “Yeah, I’d have to agree with you. I don’t even know them and I feel like I have an obligation to them as well as to Rebel.” I wait to see if he says any more and then add, “I’m really sorry about the way we pulled you in here. Before we got to you, we encountered some real winners, one of whom even tried to kill me. By the time you came, we didn’t know who we could trust and who we couldn’t.”
“I know. I’ve been there. My family was tied up with the IRA for years. I lost them all to the cause. Although I don’t actively participate in the cause, I’m always willing to help out where I can. When I realized who you were, there wasn’t a question as to whether I would help. It was a given,” he says.
“Well, you’ve been invaluable. Rebel and I both are indebted to you for all that you have done.” I pause and then add; “I think the girls are making breakfast if you’re hungry.”
“Girls?” he asks.
“Oh, we received a few visitors late last night. My old lady decided to surprise me with my sister and a good friend in tow.”
“They’re not gonna be involved in any part of the breakout, are they?” he asks, worried.
“Oh, hell no!” I reassure him.
We go downstairs to find Emma and Honey in the kitchen rummaging through cabinets and the refrigerator. Obviously, they’re looking for food and making themselves quite at home.
“Ladies,” I say.
“Ice,” they both say in unison. I’m just about to ask if there is any coffee left when Emma hands me a cup.
“Thanks, love,” I say, kissing her on the cheek.
Just then, Rebel comes in. “All good?” I ask.
“Yes, they’ll be here first thing in the morning,” he replies.
“Good,” I say.
“What will be here?” Emma asks.
“Need to know, babe, remember?” I tell her. She sighs and walks over to the coffee pot, pouting. One of these days, she’ll get it.
Doc and Ryder join us and the kitchen suddenly becomes a little too crowded for me. Realizing that I have things to do, I look over at Rebel and say, “I’m gonna go call Willie.” He nods.
My conversation with Willie goes better than expected; I’m pleased to find out that he has a transport leaving Belfast at midnight the Friday we’re doing the breakout. I was worried that we would have to get ourselves back to Dublin for a flight, but the Belfast departure couldn’t be more perfect if it was planned that way.
Upon returning to the kitchen, I walk into a room that’s full of tension. Ten minutes ago everything was fine, but now the tension is so thick you need a fucking chainsaw to cut through it. I glance around the room to see what’s changed. Doc and Ryder are in the living room reading the morning paper. Emma and Honey are over by the stove, cooking something that smells fucking amazing. Ari has come downstairs and is standing next to Rebel, his arm protectively around her. And then, standing next to Rebel, I see the root of all the tension.Ciara!
The conniving bitch really pisses me off. It’s so transparent that she’s using Reb’s brother to make him jealous and she’s so fucking stupid she doesn’t even see that it is not working. But now, she’s not only fucking with my brother’s head, she’s also fucking with my sister’s happiness. It’s time that I step in and put a stop to her little charade. I’ll make this little twat come to terms with the fact that Rebel is no longer hers, and even more importantly, he’s never gonna be. I walk over to Ari and kiss her on the cheek. “Hey, sweetheart,” I say.
She gives me a big hug and says, “Hey, Caden.”
I turn toward Ciara and say, “Ciara, I don’t believe you’ve met my sister.”
She stutters, “N…No … I haven’t. Not formally, that is.”
“Imagine my surprise when Rebel here, my Sgt. at Arms, asked my permission to date my sister. But, as I’m sure you well know, Rebel isn’t just my sergeant, right? He’s my friend and cousin on my dad’s side. We bikers, we like to keep it all in the family, now don’t we, Reb?”
