Page 15

Chapter 15

Sweet Moments & Ireland

Jade

The next morning, me and Spade leave for a few days to Ireland. I have a council meeting tonight, plus Flynn has some things to go over with me. The flight there is long, so I brought my mother's journal hoping to read a bit to get some answers, and since Flynn was a big part of my mother's life, it will make things easier being able to ask him in person rather than over the phone. Reaching into my big tote bag, I grab the journal and place it in my lap. Spade gently nudges my foot from where he sits across from me. My eyes collide with his and he wiggles them.

“Wanna be a part of the mile high club with me?” he asks with a wicked grin on his face.

“Jamie fucked me up last night. How about on the way back? Kane will be with us, so it will piss him off and you know how much I love to rattle his cage,” I smirk, and his eyes light up.

“Fine. I guess I can wait,” he pouts, and I shake my head.

“I didn’t say you needed to wait, ya big baby. You can ravish me after the council meeting tonight. We have a few days alone here, so make it worth it,” I wink.

“Oh, fuck yea,” he shouts, and I shake my head at him. Opening the journal, he nudges my foot again and I huff.

“You’re very needy this morning,” I say with a raised brow.

“Sorry, babe. Before you dive into the past, can I ask you a question?” he says, and I take a deep breath.

“Shoot, Babyboy.”

“Have you felt the baby kick yet? I also want to run a name by you that I really like,” he says, and I smile.

“Yes, I’ve felt him kick, especially when I eat pizza. You just so happen to be doing cartel shit when it happens,” I say, and he nods.

“I’m dying to feel him.” He smiles, which makes me smile too.

“Name?” I ask with a raised brow, and he laughs.

“Well, I have two. Reid Junior or Prince,” he says, and I wrinkle my nose.

“I don’t like Reid Junior. No offense, babe. But I do like Prince. Hmm… Jaxon, Hazel and Prince. I like that,” I say, as his eyes light up with excitement.

“Hell yea. So can we name him Prince?” he asks, and I nod.

“Sure. Prince Giovanni Rodriguez-Rivers,” I say, and the smile that litters this man's face is priceless. He jumps up from his seat, sinks to his knees in front of me, opens my legs, lifts my shirt and places a soft kiss against my little round belly.

“You hear that, Prince. That’s your name. Fuck yea,” he says, speaking to our baby. I take out an envelope and hand it to him. I’ve been waiting for this trip to give it to him so we could share this moment together.

“What’s this?” he asks, sitting back on his legs.

“Just open it,” I tell him, rolling my eyes. He rips it open, taking out the paper and unfolding it as his eyes wildly read the document. I sit back and wait, knowing he’s going to lose his shit, and a second later, he’s up, running up and down the aisles, screaming in joy. I laugh as I wait for his theatrics to end, and he comes back to me, cupping my face, pressing his lips to mine.

“I love you, Jade. Thank you for making me a dad again. This is the best day of my life.” He cheers, kissing me again.

“I love you too, Reid. I know you already knew, at least I thought you did since all I’ve been craving is pizza, but I wanted it in writing to show you that you are Prince’s biological father,” I say, and he smiles.

“Say it again.”

“Prince is your biological son. Our son,” I say, kissing his lips.

“Fuck, I love you. I’m going to text Ryder. You go relax, my queen,” he says, sitting in his seat, taking out his phone. I pick up the journal and read the next entry.

Dear Diary,1/17/2003

Once again, it’s been awhile since I’ve written in here. I’m not even sure that I can anymore. The past two months have been devastating, to say the least. They took Jocelyn the night after I last wrote. They stole my poor little baby right from the compound. Fallon had woken up for a feeding, and I took her on a stroll of the garden while her sister slept peacefully in the crib beside hers.

Flynn was out and was due home soon, so I thought nothing of it. We were safe there, or so I thought. Fallon loved being outside in the fresh air. Any time she would fuss, we would take her out and she’d calm almost instantly, so I figured to get her to latch, I would bring her out in the fresh air. I regret leaving Jocelyn and blame myself every day for what happened.

When I came back inside to check on her and to lay Fallon down, she was gone. I went frantic and searched everywhere, asked every butler, maid and guard if they had seen her or anyone with a baby, and no one knew anything. No one did. It was like she vanished.

When Flynn came home and found me sobbing, holding Fallon, he had the compound turned upside down, only to find… nothing. NOTHING. Not a trace or sign.

The cameras on the grounds were hacked, replaying the same footage repeatedly. I felt helpless and scared. I barely slept, never taking my eyes off of Fallon, terrified it was going to happen to her too. I took her everywhere with me and slept in her room with the doors locked until I decided we were leaving. It was the hardest decision to make, leaving the life we created without Flynn. The man I loved the most in this world, but I couldn’t stay there. I didn’t feel safe anymore.

So, one night, I left him a note, packed our bags, and left. I paid off the younger guards, who I will assume are dead by now, and made them take us to the airstrip. Flynn caught up to us before we could close the doors and begged me to come back, but I couldn’t. He was so angry with me, so angry I was taking his daughter away, but he also understood. We needed to be safe before we could return, so he made arrangements with Big John, which I was grateful for. We never found Jocelyn, and still, two months later, my heart is broken, but I feel safe now at the clubhouse.

The only people who know Fallon is alive are club members and their old ladies. I don’t ever bring her around the Crow Eaters. They aren’t women I trust. Big John has been a saint, and I’m so grateful to him. We pretend to be a happy couple and I hate it.

My heart will always belong to Flynn, but I can’t help the life John has provided for us, and in front of others, he makes me feel like a queen. I guess my heart is conflicted. Am I in love with John? No. Do I still love Flynn? Absolutely, but I can't deny there are feelings there. My mind is just fucked up. I’m not sure how to feel or what’s to come.

I guess when I figure it out I’ll write another entry. But for now, Fallon is safe. We are okay. That’s got to count for something, right?

Love always,

Tessa

Shutting the book, I take a deep breath. Jesus christ. I’m not sure how to feel about all that. My sister was stolen right from the compound. This only makes me wonder if they ever fucking found her, but if they did, wouldn’t I have known her? Wouldn’t she be a part of my life? This just brings up more questions than answers, but at least I know now how I got from Ireland to the States. Was my mom and dad's relationship a farce the whole time? Did they put on a show for everyone, including us kids? Again, so many fucking questions left unanswered.

Placing the journal down, I look at Spade, fast asleep across from me. I grab the blanket from beside me and get up to sit next to him. Laying my head on his shoulder, he rouses, wrapping an arm around me before resting his head on top of mine. I take the blanket and cover us as my eyes get heavy, letting sleep take over.

Hours later, after getting picked up from the airstrip, we arrive at the compound. Getting out of the SUV, Spade takes my hand as we walk through the wooden double doors, entering the castle-like mansion. The guards greet us and lead the way to Flynn’s room, which is odd because I’ve never been here before. We usually meet in his office or sitting room. Kane stands outside the doors, playing on his phone. He looks up and smirks.

“Well, hello, Gra. Welcome home.” He grins, and I roll my eyes as he shakes hands with my husband.

“You know, one day Jay is going to kill you for calling her that, right?” he asks, and Kane just shrugs.

“Blondie doesn’t scare me,” he says, and I laugh.

“That’s because you truly haven’t seen what he’s capable of,” I retort, and he shrugs again. “Why are we here?” I ask, and he takes a deep breath.

“Well, why don’t you go find out? We will give you a moment with the boss and I’ll show your husband to your room,” he says, and I nod. Spade places a gentle kiss on my cheek as they both walk in the other direction towards my room. I take a deep breath and open the doors to my father's room. Stepping inside, I notice it looks similar to mine except it is much bigger and looks more like a living room than a bedroom. A maid is pulling the drapes closed now that the sun has set as I walk deeper into the room, expecting him to be sitting on the couches by the fireplace, but he isn’t. Another maid comes from another room, which I assume is his actual bedroom. She sees me and frowns.

“Where’s my dad?” I ask, and she points to the door. I walk over and open it slightly, and gasp when I see him lying in bed with machines surrounding him. What the fuck?

“Dad?” I whisper, and he clears his throat.

“I’m here. Come in, child,” he says in his thick Irish accent. The closer I get, the more I realize something is seriously wrong.

“Did you get hurt? Why didn’t you call me or Kane?” I question, sitting in the chair beside his bed. The machine next to me beeps as he tries to sit up. I rise from my seat to help him, but he shoos me away.

“Don’t be stubborn. Let me help you,” I grit, and he huffs. I grab his arm and pull him gently while maneuvering the pillows behind him. “Comfortable now?” I ask, and he nods.

“Thank you, my dear. How was your flight?” he asks and I shake my head.

“We are not doing that tonight. Tell me what is going on,” I reply sternly, which makes his lip twitch almost to a smile.

“You may look like your mother, but you are strong like me. I’m so proud of you, Fallon,” he says, and I smile.

“Thanks, Dad, but still, you’re avoiding the question and I won’t stop until I get answers, so start spilling or I will threaten every person under your thumb in this castle, starting with Kane and you know damn well I will hurt that man to get what I need,” I say with a raised brow.

“Sit, I will tell you,” he orders, and I do what he says. I sit back in my seat and fold my arms over my chest, waiting for him to talk.

“I wasn’t hurt by anyone. I’m just sick,” he says, giving me nothing else.

“Like the flu?” I ask, and he shakes his head. Fuck.

“Worse. I’m dying. I have little time to live, so I called you out here not for your pity or sympathy, but because I need you to take over sooner than expected,” he says, and I gasp.

“This is a joke, right? Is this another lesson to see if I can handle being queen of the throne? Because this aint it, Dad. All you had to do was tell me what was needed. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble just to get me to take over. I know what my duty is,” I say as a tear falls down his face. Shit. I’ve never seen this man be vulnerable, let alone shed a tear. Jesus fucking christ. He coughs, reaching for his water. I grab the cup and tip it to his mouth, helping him take a sip. Placing the cup down on the bedside table, he grabs my hand and brings it to his lips.

“I’m serious. I’ve been hiding my illness for the past year, but it’s taken its toll on me and I needed to see you before it was too late,” he admits, and I nod.

“I understand, but Dad, I only just found out you’re my father and now I’m going to lose you? I’m sick of losing people. When does it end!?” I say, terrified of the answer as I place my forehead into his chilly hands. “Jesus, your hands are cold,” I say and he laughs, then coughs again.

“Cold hands, warm heart.” He smiles. It’s an old Irish saying I’ve heard over the years. “I’m sorry, child. I regret not telling you sooner about being my daughter and about my illness. I’ve fucked up a lot over the years and I have many regrets,” he whispers as tears fall from my eyes.

“I know, it just sucks. I’m pregnant again and I hope you’re here long enough to meet Prince,” I say, and he smiles.

“You are a great mother, Fallon. Tessa would be so proud of you. Don’t ever forget that. You hear me? We both are proud of the woman you’ve become, and I have no doubt in my soul that you will make the perfect queen for the council. Tonight is the night you get to meet everyone without a mask on. Do you think you’re ready?” he asks, and I nod.

“Thanks, Dad. I just wish we had more time together. Do you know how long you have?” I ask, disregarding his second question because he should know the answer. There is nothing in this world that I’m not ready for. Life has thrown constant curve balls my way and I knock them balls out of the park all day, every day. I may have been weak all those months ago, but today, my mind and body are strong and I know I can make him proud.

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is if you’re ready, my child,” he says and I shake my head.

“It matters. It matters to me. Do I need to stay and take care of you? How long do we have?” I grit. Getting pissed off that he thinks his time on earth doesn’t matter.

“Months, maybe less,” he answers, and I nod. I’m going to have to talk to Spade and figure out a plan. “Are you ready?” he asks again, and I nod with a smirk.

“I’m an O’Patrick. I was fucking born ready,” I say, and he smiles, which is kind of frightening because this man doesn’t ever crack a smile. He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips again.

“Fallon O’Patrick. My little Queen. Come back and see me after the meeting. I want an update. Welcome, Queen. Give them hell, my child,” he says, and I grin.

“You know I will. See you later. Get some rest, please. I have some things I want to discuss,” I say, and he nods, laying back against the pillows, shutting his eyes. Getting up, I exit his room but look back at him before shutting the door softly behind me.Tears stream down my face as I rush down the hall to find Spade. I need a hug from my husband before I enter this damn meeting.

Then I put on my game face and do what I was meant to do.

Reign as the Queen of the IRA.