Page 35 of Beautiful Trauma (The Irish Rogues #5)

A fter talking to Mila the morning of Nick’s funeral, I tried explaining to tell her how the last two days had been a fucking soap opera of finding out that Nick’s murder was because Ava was actually the heir to a Greek mafia family. But then the afternoon merged from a soap opera to a thriller.

I thought after Nick’s funeral, I would be able to ask Mila to meet me in New York.

But then a fucking madman kidnapped Dare’s daughter, Piper, from the cemetery.

After a trade off where Ava took Piper’s place, we ended up in Philly to rescue her from the man who had killed her birth parents and wanted her family necklace because it held the key to a safety deposit box worth millions.

After he got Ava safely out, Dare hurried her to a waiting SUV. I hung back from the others who were ready to go to the airport and get back to Boston.

“Kellan? Hurry the fuck up,” Callum said.

“I think I'm going to stay.”

He froze. “Excuse me?”

“Yeah, I want to see what Leo is up to,” I replied as I caught up to him.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Callum countered, “I’m sure the fact that Mila Korolova lives here has nothing to do with it.”

Fuck. Of course, he would realize my motive. “While I would like to check in on her, I’ll be staying with Leo.”

With a shake of his head, Callum said, “I heard through the grapevine that Dima is paralyzed from the airport shootout.”

“He is at the moment.” At Callum’s frown, I said, “It’s too early to tell if he’ll truly never walk again.”

“You’d only know that if you’d spoken to Mila.”

“You’re right. I have.”

Callum swept a hand over his face. “Do you have a fucking death wish?”

“Not particularly.”

“You’d have to if you want to pursue this woman.

“You know as well as I do that you can’t help who you fall in love with.”

“Love?” He shook his head. “You barely know her.”

“And you didn’t know Caterina when you put her in a wedding dress and slid a ring on her finger.”

With a menacing look, Callum jabbed his finger at me. “Don’t you dare bring me kidnapping Caterina into this!”

“I was alluding to the danger that faces us with the women we love. I mean, kidnapping her was dangerous. You ended up shot. Not to mention what we faced when we stormed the Neretti’s warehouse to get her back after her father kidnapped her. We could’ve been killed.”

“There’s a big fucking difference in doing everything possible to ensure my wife’s safety compared to you wanting to fuck some Bratva piece of ass.”

His words sent fury pulsing through me. The next thing I knew I launched myself at him with a flurry of swinging fists. “What the fuck?” Callum demanded before hitting me back.

At the sound of our fighting, Quinn and Eamon rushed over and started pulling us away from each other. Once Quinn slung me off of Callum, he demanded, “What the fuck is going on?”

For a moment, we couldn’t speak. With our chests heaving, I replied, “He insulted Mila.”

Callum growled, “This fucker has a death wish.”

“Mila? Are you seeing the Korolova girl?” Quinn asked.

At the expectant look of my brothers, I replied, “I am.”

“Fuck,” Eamon muttered while Quinn shook his head.

“Her brother tried to kill you,” Quinn said.

“While I’m aware of that, it has nothing to do with how Mila feels.”

“She played you for a fool once. What if she’s doing it again?” Callum demanded.

When I started to go for him again, Quinn grabbed me around the waist. “Knock it off, you eejit.”

“He’s the one playing dirty with the insults.”

Quinn sighed. “He has a point, boyo. You’ve always worn your heart on your fuckin’ sleeve. We can’t help but worry.”

“Thanks for saying I’m a pussy.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I countered, “I know what you’re all thinking. Instead of letting my cock lead him around, I let my heart do it, and it makes me a fool every fucking time.”

Callum grunted. “That’s not what we’re thinking at all.”

Quinn nodded. “Cal’s right. You’re our brother–we can’t help but worry about you.” When I started to protest, he held up his hand. “But if you’re sure that Mila truly cares for you, then we’ll do what we can to allow the two of you to be together.”

Chuckling, Eamon said, “Jaysus, man, marriage and fatherhood as mellowed you the fuck out.”

“Kellan deserves to be happy. Just like you do,” Quinn replied with a pointed look. I knew he was referencing what we’d been through with Maeve.

With a roll of his eyes, Callum said, “And just how do you suggest we do that when our boy has a target on his back?”

“Considering the power that Caruso has in this city, Kellan is as safe in his territory as he is in enemy territory in Boston.”

Callum eyed me curiously. “If I allow you to stay, will you promise to stay in Caruso/Neretti territory and not go to Mila’s apartment or anywhere that’s Bratva territory?”

“Are you listening to yourself? You’ll let me stay? I’m not a child, and I’ll do what I fucking want.”

Rage flickered in Callum’s blue eyes. “I don’t care how fucking old you are. As your clan leader, you follow my orders. Brother or not, you’ll face consequences if you don’t.”

As my fists clenched at my side, Quinn brought his hands to my face. “Pick your battles, arsehole. Do what is asked of you, and you get to see your girl.”

“Fine,” I spat.

“Good, boy,” Quinn replied with a grin.

“Arse.”

He winked as he pulled his hands away. “Now tell our arsehole older brother you promise to do as he asks.”

With a grunt, I turned to Callum. “I promise to only stay in Caruso territory, and I’ll use Neretti protection again.”

Callum’s dark brows popped wide. “ Again ?” At my sheepish look, he threw up his hands. “That’s it. I’m out of here. If you want to get yourself killed, then go for it.”

And with those parting words, he stalked over to the SUV. At Quinn and Eamon’s expectant gazes, I said, “I came here to see Mila a couple of days ago.”

“Jaysus, Kel,” Eamon muttered.

“I won’t say I’m sorry because I’m not.”

Quinn chuckled. “Trust me. We know.”

“Can I at least get a ride to Leo’s?”

“You’re going to owe me big time,” Quinn grunted.

“How about Mila and I babysit Rian for you and Isla to have a night out on the town?” I suggested.

Quinn slapped me on the back. “Now you’re talking.”