Page 9 of Malicious Marriage (Mafia Lords of Sin #9)

DEAN

K nock, knock .

Two days later, I stand in front of the Byrne Mansion with my toolkit in hand and a flutter of anticipation in my chest. Clover’s agreement to marry me lifts a weight from my shoulders.

A simple yes, and suddenly, the prospect of life is before me.

Here, my presence will be the perfect antidote to all the constant questions that come my way.

It will keep Trisha at bay and allow me to focus on the work that actually interests me.

And Clover herself is beautiful, which is an exceptional bonus. As crazy schemes go, this might be the best one yet.

I shift my weight from foot to foot but when no one answers, I turn to my phone.

I’d texted Clover earlier to see what she was up to and she told me she was relaxing at home, so I thought I would surprise her.

Maybe she’s busy deeper in the house and can’t hear me, or her housekeeper is busy.

Dialing her number, I tuck my phone to my ear and glance across the somewhat sad-looking garden while it rings.

“Hello?”

“Clover! Sorry to call, but I knocked and no one answered.”

“You knocked?” Clover’s soft tone immediately sharpens. “What do you mean?”

“I’m outside, surprise!”

The sounds of scuffling come across the line and when Clover speaks once more, she sounds rushed and breathless. “I’m so sorry. I’m in the bath. Wait there!”

Then she hangs up.

Oops. Maybe I should have told her I was coming. Surprising her seemed like a good idea at the time, but clearly, I’ve interrupted her pampering time. Regret warms under my ribs and I glance back at Jack who rests inside my car with his hat down over his eyes, napping.

Should I leave?

No, that will look weird. Plus, she’s on her way down, although why she doesn’t get her doorman to answer is beyond me.

Her entire setup here is a little confusing, but I’m not one to judge.

Or comment. Given her financial difficulties, it strikes me that she might be unable to pay the wages of those who work for her and only a certain kind of soul continues to work for free.

I make a mental note not to mention her staff, or lack thereof.

A couple of minutes of waiting turns into over fifteen until suddenly, the side gate alongside the house swings open and Clover rushes out with her cheeks flushed a bright red and her wet hair scooped up on top of her hair, held in place by a cotton hair wrap.

Several damp strands frame her face and when she smiles, she seems breathless.

“Dean!” she gasps, panting. “What a surprise.”

“Oh, my God, did you rush?” I gasp, approaching her. “I could have come back later. I’m so sorry.”

She leans against the gate and waves one hand, then adjusts her blouse and shakes her head. “Don’t mention it. I was just… bathing at the back of the house so… I didn’t hear you and it took me… phew … took me longer to get here. I’m so sorry.”

“Please, don’t apologize. I’m the one who turned up unannounced.”

“Yeah, what the heck?” She grins, clearly teasing. Then her gaze falls to my tool kit. “What’s that?”

“The last time I was here, I noticed one of your doors was nearly off its hinges and since you were so kind as to make me lunch, I thought I’d repay the kindness by fixing your door.”

She stares at me in disbelief, gradually catching her breath. “You want to fix my door?”

“Yes. If that’s alright? It’s really no problem.”

“I’m… I’m more surprised that you want to do it and you didn’t just send a guy.”

“Oh, I know a guy.” I chuckle warmly. “I just also know how to.”

Suddenly, the front door swings open and Bobby stands there looking equally as flustered as Clover. “Damn lock.” He chuckles, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

Did I interrupt something?

Clover and Bobby exchange a quick look, then Clover smiles. “Thanks, Bobby. We really should get that looked at.”

“Do you want me to...?” I shake my toolkit with a smile.

“No!” Bobby and Clover say in unison, then Clover suddenly loops her arm through mine and guides me inside. “It’s kind of you to offer, but I already have someone booked to do that and I’d hate to cancel on someone who agreed at such short notice, y’know?”

Clover’s flustered reactions and Bobby’s rushed appearance tell me one thing. I definitely shouldn’t drop by unannounced. Next time, I’ll plan ahead.

“Understandable,” I agree.

“Are you sure you want to fix the door?” Clover brings me to a stop near the broken door and her hold on my arm tightens briefly. The warmth radiating off her is so inviting that it’s a little tricky to keep my thoughts in order.

“I want to. Consider it a thank you for a delightful lunch.”

She doesn’t look like she entirely believes me, but she smiles. “Do you need me to do anything?”

“No, please. Return to your pampering. It’s not good to walk around with wet hair even in this heat.”

“What are you, a doctor as well?” Bobby remarks on his way past.

“No, just sensible,” I shoot back with a smirk.

Bobby grins and continues to the kitchen while Clover finally releases me. “Okay, well… let me know if you need anything.”

She lingers for a few seconds, then she hurries off up the stairs and I’m left alone.

It doesn’t take long to fix the door. It looks like it’s been slammed one too many times and the bolts shook loose.

That coupled with the weight of the door, and it has naturally pulled away from the frame.

Odd that it was allowed to get this bad, but I don’t judge.

I don’t know the full extent of Clover’s troubles, and it’s not my place to pry.

But I want to.

The door’s fixed within an hour and by the time I’m done, Clover’s waiting for me in the kitchen with some iced tea. She looks much more composed and relaxed this time, even wearing a sprinkling of peach and pink makeup which really makes her eyes pop out from her dark lashes.

“Thank you for doing that,” she says as she passes me my tea. “I’ve been meaning to get it fixed.”

“It’s no problem,” I say as I preen inside at the praise. I don’t do these things for the praise, but it feels so good to take care of people I’m coming to care about. “Things like that always slip the mind when it gets tough.”

“You’re telling me.” She slides onto one of the barstools and I glimpse the soft skin of her inner thigh as her long skirt slips and adjusts. “You stop thinking about one thing and suddenly, it’s become ten things.”

“Such is the way of the world. Is there anything else I can do?”

“Oh, no.” Clover shakes her head and fixes me with a stern look. “You’ve already done enough. I can’t believe you're a handyman.”

“Partly a hobby, partly an interest. I used to do woodwork with my grandpa a long time ago. Plus, I like doing things for people, especially people doing me such huge favors.”

Clover scoffs softly around her drink. “I think you’re doing me the bigger favor.”

“In your eyes, but to me, you’re helping me out of a situation I thought I was permanently stuck in.”

“Really?” She looks at me with wide eyes.

“Really. Although, can I ask what happened?”

Her head tilts with a silent question.

“Your finances. What was the vice?”

“Oh.” Her adorable nose scrunches up and her attention drops to her glass. “My father was a gambler. A lot of the debt was hidden until he passed and after that, every penny went to the insane amounts he owed. But the interest on those things…” She shakes her head.

Gambling. Makes sense given her family’s change from drugs to casinos. Must have been too much temptation. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Clover flashes me a smile. “Just some bad luck. When he passed and my sister and I learned about the debt, we knew it was over. It was just a matter of time.”

She has a sister? Why haven’t I seen her? “Your family’s business wasn’t earning enough to cover the debt?”

Clover shakes her head but she doesn’t elaborate. It must be a sore spot, so I turn to her sister. “You have a sister?”

Her eyes light up. “Hailey. Yes. I haven’t seen her in a while, though.”

“That’s a shame. Siblings are important. Your engagement news should bring her around, surely?”

Clover chuckles and drains her glass, then she rises and moves toward the jug on the far counter. “Maybe. Is it… hard for you, having lost your siblings?”

I watch her pour herself more tea and as she tops up my own glass, I nod.

“Yes. I was fourteen when they died and it was so sudden. My sister died quickly, I’m told.

My brother died from smoke inhalation. It was such a terrible disaster.

I tried to help them, I really did, but I…

I couldn’t. ” And I carry the scars across my entire body for that failure.

The thought of them makes my shoulder and back twinge, so I focus on Clover instead.

“But I remember them fondly, and that’s what’s most important. ”

“I can’t imagine a loss like that.” Clover retakes her seat and places her hand over mine. “I’m sorry.”

“What about you? Losing your father can’t have been easy.”

Her smile wavers and she retracts her hand. I immediately miss her warmth. “It’s hard,” she says quietly. “So much has happened since, and it still doesn’t feel real.”

I reach for her, aching to comfort her in some way as the sadness cracks through her voice, but before I make contact, my phone blares to life.

“Sorry.” Pulling it from my pocket, my heart sinks to see Don calling. “One sec.”

“Take your time.”

“Hello?” I slide from the stool and turn away. “What’s wrong?”

“Dean, where the fuck are you?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s Trisha. She’s been rushed to the hospital. There’s something wrong with the baby!”