Page 9 of Bittersweet Revenge (Sins of the Father #1)

Dean

I stare at my phone in disbelief when it shows Aislin calling me. What happened to texting? Do people actually talk on the phone anymore? I thought that was reserved for bill collectors and spam calls.

“What?” I say instead of hello.

Aislin chuckles. “God, I swear you remind me of my brother sometimes.”

“Well, that’s definitely not a compliment.”

My response earns another laugh from her. “He’s not so bad. Life hasn’t always been the easiest for us.”

My teeth practically break because of how tightly I tense my jaw.

Being the prince and princess of a Mafia boss must have been so hard for them.

They have their parents, family, money, and we had nothing.

And now, I’m becoming friends with her and let Tiernan make me come.

My nails press into my palm, but even the biting pain can’t distract me from those thoughts.

“Dean, did you hear me?” she asks, making me realize she’s been speaking. I haven’t heard a word.

“Sorry. Doing homework. What did you say?”

“I’m meeting Will tonight—that guy I showed you a photo of? We’re going to the Bar, and I wanted to see if you would go too. Your drinks will go on my tab, and hell, you don’t even have to hang out with me, but better safe than sorry the first time you go out with someone, ya know?”

It’s a good lesson for everyone to follow, but I have a feeling that’s something she’s learned because of her family’s lifestyle. And also because Tiernan would probably lose his shit if she went without protection.

“How are you getting into the bar?”

“That won’t be a problem.”

“Is twenty-one not the age to drink alcohol is Massachusetts?” Plus, I don’t have a fake ID.

“Ha-ha, funny guy. Yeah, but as I said, it won’t be an issue. I promise. This is a college town.” She uses that as an excuse, but it all probably leads back to the O’Sheas and their power.

And though going to the bar is the last thing I want to do tonight, she’s right. It’s not safe to meet some random guy in a bar. “Yeah, I’ll go. What’s the name of the place?”

“The Bar,” she reiterates.

“Creative.”

“It works. How about we meet at nine by the library and I’ll order us a car?”

“Sounds good.”

“Man of few words.”

What she doesn’t get is that I’ve been speaking to her, hell, speaking at Ashford in general, more than I usually do. Wild that for the first time in my life, I have what could almost be considered a friend—something Mom always wanted—only it’s Aislin O’Shea.

“See you tonight.” I end the call before she can say anything else.

I do have schoolwork to do, so I sit on my bed, back against the wall, and get it done. I’m just finishing up when Ollie comes in with a pizza box in his hand.

“Hey. You hungry?” He grins.

I am. I haven’t eaten since this morning.

Even though it was outside that I saw him, I’ve been avoiding the café since my run-in with Tiernan a couple of days ago.

He and his crew end up in the café often, and I haven’t figured out how to approach him next time.

The incident at the picnic table wasn’t it.

And eating three meals a day at the café isn’t in my budget either.

Still, I tell Ollie, “I’m good.”

“Eat a slice of pizza, Dean.” He sets it on his desk. “We’re roommates. This year will go much better if we’re chill with each other.”

“I’m chill with you.”

“Yeah, but you hardly talk to me either.”

He pulls out paper plates from the cabinet. I take the one he passes to me, then grab two slices.

“Where did you say you’re from?” he asks.

“Arizona.”

“And your major is computer science?”

Jesus, is this an inquisition or what? “Yep.” But then because I’m supposed to be trying to get better at this, I ask, “You?”

“Pre-law.”

He rambles on, and I listen, engaging only as much as I have to.

“Thanks for this.” The trash can makes a squeaking noise when I step on the pedal to open it, tossing my trash inside. “I need to take a shower.”

Ollie nods, already at his desk, digging into his schoolbooks.

Clothes in hand, I lock the bathroom door behind me and turn the shower on. The water doesn’t help wash away my anger and worry about…well, everything. Strangely, I feel more like shit when I get out, but still, I get dressed to go hang out with Aislin.

She’s waiting outside the library when I arrive, wearing a short black skirt, a red sparkly top, and heels.

“Hot.” I give her a grin, and she responds with a playful curtsy.

“Exactly the look I’m going for. You don’t clean up so bad yourself.”

“My jeans and button-up shirt are cleaning up?”

“Usually, you’re in a tee. The car’s on its way.”

“Your brother gonna kick my ass for going out with you tonight?”

“My brother thinks he’s the boss of me, but he’s not. I called you because it’s a responsible decision.”

Not really. I’m supposed to hate you. I could always use you instead of Tiernan to get back at your family…

My gut burns with hatred at myself for the thought. Aislin has been nothing but nice to me, but she’s still one of them, and I don’t know how to reconcile those feelings.

“Come on. Let’s go.” She takes my hand and drags me toward the vehicle pulling up.

The whole ride, Aislin talks about how excited but nervous she is, and I try my best to say the right things, but I’m not sure I succeed.

Before I know it, the driver is dropping us off in front of a nondescript building with a sign that does, in fact, say THE BAR . “You’re sure we can get in?”

“Yes. You’ll find that there’s not many places I can’t get what I want. But this place will be full of underage drinkers.”

“And no one turns them in?”

She just shrugs.

Aislin is right, and we don’t have any trouble sitting at the counter and ordering beers.

“What time is he supposed to be here?” I take a drink of the bitter, wheaty beverage.

“Nine thirty. What about you? Have you met anyone interesting? Other than Tiernan, that is.” She winks.

“Not sure interesting is the word I’d use for him.”

“Good point.” She holds up her mug. “Cheers.”

We clank our glasses together and finish our drink, then another. I notice the time slipping by but don’t bring it up. It’s 10:15 when Aislin sighs and says, “I can’t believe I got stood up.”

“His loss,” I try to soothe her.

“Obviously. Still fucking sucks. And that guy sitting down the bar won’t stop looking at you, by the way.”

Which is something else I was pretending not to notice. He’s hot, with cornrows in his black hair, sultry eyes, and a lean but muscular body. He’s got pretty brown skin and is wearing a cut-off shirt that when he moves away from the counter shows me his sexy abs. “Yeah, but I’m here with you.”

“Oh no you don’t. You’re not missing out for me. Plus, fuck Will. I’m not going to sit around here pouting all night. You go talk to him, and I’m going to dance.” She lifts her mug, downs the rest of her drink, then slams it on the counter before disappearing through the crowd.

She’s a force to be reckoned with, that’s for sure. I don’t, however, go talk to the guy, but then he doesn’t give me much of a chance to. Before I know it, he’s sitting down beside me.

“I guessed that look you gave me correctly, right?” he asks.

It’s not always easy to know who swings your way.

“Yeah.”

“Good. Not in the mood to get my ass kicked tonight.”

“I think you could hold your own,” I flirt.

“Yeah, but then I might chip my nail polish,” he says, and I smile. “I’m Omari.”

“Dean.”

The bartender comes over, and I order both of us a drink.

“Is this your first year at Ashford?” he asks.

“Yep.”

“Second for me.”

We talk, and I feel like I do okay keeping the conversation going while also glancing over his shoulder every now and again to check on Aislin.

She danced by herself the first couple of songs, but she was joined by a guy with sandy hair two songs ago.

She’s got her arms around his shoulders, the two of them grinding against each other.

“You guys good friends?” Omari asks. He must have noticed I keep looking at her.

“I don’t know if I’d say good friends.”

He chuckles. “You don’t say a lot, do you?”

I could tell him that if he were an asshole to me, I’d talk more. Seems to work with Tiernan, but I’m really fucking tired of thinking about him when I shouldn’t. “Sorry. Not real good at that.”

“It’s okay. I bet you’re good at other things.”

It doesn’t take a genius to know what he’s talking about. “I can’t leave until she does.” I trust the handsy guy she’s dancing with even less than the guy she was talking to online. At least there’s some kind of trail there.

“I can wait.” And maybe this is exactly what I need, to hook up with someone else and get Tiernan out of my system. I still have to figure out how to get close to him, but I sure as shit don’t need his hand on my dick to do that.

“Good.” I look up again, but I don’t see Aislin on the dance floor anymore.

My heart jumps into my throat, this honest-to-God fucking fear that I shouldn’t feel for someone I hardly know, and definitely not for her, but…

she reminds me of my mom. So fucking much.

She’s kind, cares about her family, and she’s strong, the type of person to befriend someone like me.

My gaze darts around the room, and I’m already pushing off my stool, but then I see them. She’s still with the guy, the two of them in the corner, at the far end of the bar, each with a glass in front of them.

My heart rate slows. Jesus. Chill the fuck out. There’s no danger lurking around every corner.

But the truth is, there is. I grew up that way and still know it’s true. What I’m doing isn’t safe. Sloan promised to look for us. Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t, but who’s to say he doesn’t take one look at me and knows who I am?

“You okay?” Omari asks.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

My gaze flickers between Omari and Aislin. She finishes her drink, then whispers something in the guy’s ear. He nods and calls the bartender over, I assume ordering another. Her lips press against his cheek before she slips away toward the bathroom.