Page 15 of Savage Promises (Quinlan Empire #2)

When my mother asks when will she finally meet Neve, knocking me from my thoughts, Lennox’s protective instincts kick in immediately. “Between practices and tournaments, her schedule is really...tight.”

My mother’s lips thin in disapproval. “Does she not understand what’s at stake here?”

I set my spoon down deliberately against the rim of the bowl, the sound echoing in the room. “Enough, Ma,” I say firmly. “Lennox isn’t responsible for Neve’s misplaced priorities. I’ll handle it. I’ll handle Neve.” The words burn my tongue.

I want to handle Lennox. Man handle her. Throw her on my bed and fuck her until she comes so hard around my cock, she practically passes out. Even if I’m supposed to marry her sister.

“It’s your situation to handle, Shane. But either I stay on top of you or...”

“Or?” I encourage Ma to finish.

“Or your brother will.”

Laughing, I say, “You think I need protection from Griffin?”

Ma smiles warmly, almost sadly. “No. I’ve been blessed with sons who adore each other and their sister. You are all loyal and protective. I’ve seen the opposite in some families.”

Especially other Irish clans. They can be ruthless and backstabbing.

With all Ma’s had to deal with emotionally, I’m glad my brothers never gave her a day of worry that we’d turn on each other.

But let’s face it, when my da was strong, he’d have strung up any one of us if we dared to betray the family.

Da came up with our family motto. After saying Grace before meals, he would say those words. We’re one.

Pushing all of this away, I change the subject.

“So... Club Echelon. You’ve done something really impressive with it,” I say, unable to hide how proud I am of her. “You’ve turned that place into a success, Lennox.”

She blinks, caught off guard by the compliment. “Thank you. It’s been a lot of work.”

“Understatement of the year.” I put down my wine glass. “Your father didn’t exactly hand it over to you in pristine condition.”

“No, he didn’t. But I enjoyed the process.” A wry smile tugs at her lips. “Unfortunately, the club is still in his name and he won’t sell it to me. I have plans to open a place of my own.”

My heart thumps against my ribs at her ambition. “All yours this time?”

“That’s the goal,” she admits, her voice steady but tinged with a vulnerability I didn’t expect. “Finding adequate funding won’t be easy if it’s to be in my name only.”

I nearly scoff, ready to offer her the cash she needs right now this second. Old man Donnelly’s finances are hanging by a thread. Heck, he’s probably sucking Lennox dry, while she’s doing all the hard work.

Throwing around money doesn’t make me stronger. It makes me look like a condescending prick. If anyone would turn down money from me, even a loan, it’s Lennox.

“You’ll figure something out.” I nudge her foot gently under the table with a smile, hoping to get one back .

“I always do, Shane.” She finishes her stew, staring into the bowl. “I always do.”

After dinner, Ma makes Irish coffees for us and hands Lennox sheets of stapled paper. “Here is what I would like for the wedding, along with a guest list.”

Lennox takes a sip of her coffee, and I stuff down a giggle at the whipped cream mustache on her upper lip. But my reaction turns into a blazing erection because I want to lick it off her. Grab a can of whipped cream and decorate my cock then watch her lick away every inch.

Squeezing my thighs to get under control, I take the sheets and peruse them, looking for anything outrageous. “I don’t see the need for us to pretend that Neve will come around or care enough to object to any of this. And with Lennox working full time at her club...”

“I can make myself available,” she says softly.

So self-sacrificing.

Ma nods and takes the papers back. “I know your ma’s gone, dear. Bless her soul. If it’s acceptable, I’ll proceed with the arrangements.”

“And by handling the arrangements you mean you’re going to hire Shea O’Rourke,” I tease my mother.

“Of course.” Ma smiles. “And she’s Shea Quinlan now. Don’t forget it.”

“Aye.” I sit taller, even prouder to be a Quinlan. Our cousin Trace married the only daughter of the former mob king, Fergus O’Rourke.

After we finish our coffee and say goodbye to my mother, I walk Lennox to her car.

“You okay to drive? Ma is a bit heavy-handed with the whiskey in those coffees.” I lean in and wish she’d let me test her blood alcohol level by kissing her.

“I’m no stranger to coffee and Jameson,” Lennox reports back, sounding sharp.

I shove my hands into my pockets to brace against the chill. “Where is your apartment by the way?”

“Brooklyn. It’s...one of Rafael’s apartments.”

As much as I want a deep dive into Rafael Marchant and what the story is behind their relationship, other than he travels a lot, I’m sure I’ll see something I won’t like. Like maybe she’s crazy about the guy and is playing it cool. Protecting him.

I let the crisp evening air cool down my rage.

“What about you?” Lennox asks, playing with her car keys. “Where do you live these days?”

“Lower East Side. Brownstone.”

She scoffs. “Hello, million-dollar crib.”

“Something like that.” That’s not even the tip of the iceberg.

Lennox clears her throat. “I hope Neve will enjoy living there.”

We stare, the unsaid truth blaring silently.

She won’t.

I won’t either, not with Neve.

And especially not when I feel this way about Lennox. With the faint scent of a coming rainstorm, I help my future sister-in-law to her car. An older model Mercedes.

“You keeping this tank maintained?” I ask, knowing how expensive these foreign models can run for maintenance.

She bristles, crossing her arms. “I got it covered, Quinlan.”

I step closer, unable to help myself. “You deserve better, Donnelly.”

She holds her throat. “Not everyone has a rich father who hands out a fleet of luxury cars to his sons, Shane.”

When my face falls, she’s practically hugging me, her arms everywhere. “God, I’m sorry. Your da. I forgot for a moment. He’s still so present.”

“It’s okay.” I draw her in. “Now, why don’t you let me have someone I know look at that Benz, or better yet, send you a new one? It’s part of the family deal.”

“Nice try,” she cuts me off, her tone sharp as a blade again. “I can take care of my own car.”

The tension between us thickens. The unspoken words hang like the murky moon. It has me thinking, fuck it. I reach for her cheek, brushing a strand of hair away. Her skin is soft, and the way her breath hitches has me shaking like I’ve never touched a woman before.

It’s not supposed to be anything more than a goodbye kiss on the cheek. But my lips catch hers, and for a moment, everything disappears.

We stand frozen, the edges of our lips continuing to touch, aching for more, and the world narrows to just Lennox. Her warmth, her scent, the way she melts against me before pulling back.

“Shane, we can’t,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

There’s no clarification. We both know what’s happening. How the attraction is exploding between us.

I nod, stepping back, even though it kills me to do so. “You’re right.”

She opens her car door, her movements hurried. “I’ll make sure Neve calls you.”

Her engine kicks over, and she’s backing out of the courtyard, speeding down the street, not even bothering to stop at her father’s house.

I stand in the courtyard, watching her taillights fade into the distance. I suddenly find it hard to breathe. The weight of this damn engagement that I do not want, the expectations made of me, and the impossible pull I feel toward Lennox settle heavily on my chest.

Neve might be my fiancée, but Lennox is the woman I can’t stop thinking about.

And I’m afraid if I can’t get my feelings under control, they will get us both killed.