Page 119 of Ruthless Dream
“You’re going home.”
“The fuck I am!”
I pull my phone out. Da glances at it and then sighs when he sees who I’m trying to call.
“I’d let that go, if I were you, son.”
“I’m not taking bloody relationship advice from you of all people.”
Da nods, staring out at the dark skyline. “Fair enough.”
“Why the fuck are you driving me to the airstrip? I’m not going to Dublin.”
“Well, you’re not sticking around.”
“Yeah, on whose fucking orders?”
“Walsh’s.”
The name pings around the car. I might not like my father, and I might not like the Irish Mafia. But I have to respect them.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask.
Da cuts the wheel, taking a sharp left. “Russians are pissed at you, and to be frank, it’s just not fecking worth it, having you O'Connells around.”
“Fucking worth it? Oh, I’m sorry, Da, is my existence fucking inconvenient for you?”
Da doesn’t bother glancing over. He takes another turn, only one hand on the wheel. He’s more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. It’s incredible how at ease he is when he’s not trying to turn on the charm.
“What the fuck is Walsh’s problem?” I ask, needing to understand what the fuck is going on.
“The Russians don’t like you doing business in the dockyards.”
“Oh, fuck off.”
Da shrugs. “That’s their territory, and you fecking knew that. So don’t act surprised when it bites you in the arse.”
“Wallen is letting us use his territory.”
“Well, there’s your second problem. The Russians don’t like Wallen.”
“This is about—”
“Adeline. Yeah.”
For a second the car is silent.
“Come on, son, what did you think was going to happen?”
Seconds go by before I can reply. “Would it fucking kill you to at least act like I’m worthy of her.”
“Worthy?” Da sighs as he mulls over the word. “It’s not for me to decide if you’re worthy of her or not. That’ll be all up to her.”
My head swings toward him, fear chilling my chest. “Adeline loves me,” I declare. I need it to be true. Da says nothing as he drives me to a plane that will take me back home.
There’s no way Adeline knows anything about this. She’d be furious at her father if she knew.
“This is all Boris!” I realize while rage wracks my body.
