Page 28

TWENTY-FOUR

emmanuel

“We sure this is it?” I ask, glancing around at the men in the room. It’s a sure fire way to know shit’s gone down when you have Jerry, Stephen, Maverick, Freddie, Henry Gallagher, Denis Gallagher, and me in the room, not to mention Danny and Malcolm Gallagher, Denis’ sons.

Denis nods. “Yes, I’ve had Makenna and Jade look into the Boston Elite Syndicate. With the connections they have, along with Melissa, we’ve managed to uncover quite a lot about the Harringtons.”

I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the wall, waiting to hear what the fuck his family uncovered.

Makenna’s his sister. She’s the head of the Irish Mafia on the east coast of America and is married to Dante Bianchi, the head of the Italian Mafia in New York.

Jade is his cousin, and she’s the underboss for Chicago.

She’s married to the head of the Italian Mafia there in Chicago.

The women are fucking lethal. Both will kill without hesitation and they have more contactsthan anyone I know.

Melissa, well, she runs The Agency. Her dad is Travis, her brother is Cole, and the three of them are richer than Midas. Melissa is without a doubt the best hacker and can get you any information in a matter of days. Not to mention, she’s married to Danny Gallagher, Denis’ eldest son.

“The Syndicate are up in arms about the bullshit that has gone on. They know the ties the Gallaghers have, not to mention the friends they have. They don’t want a war and have been very forthcoming with information about the Harringtons,” Denis tells us.

I raise a brow, not in the least bit surprised they’re shit scared of going to war against the Gallaghers.

Most would be. Those fuckers have bred like rabbits and have more kin than most villages, and each of the children have married into crime families, tightening the bonds even more between crime families.

“Mad Bill wanted more than just to be one fifth of the Syndicate. He and Trace had plans to expand, to grow, and they didn’t care who stood in their way. They thought by coming after us, they’d have the power to take out the rest of the Syndicate and become the biggest power player in the world.”

I shake my head. Fucking stupid. Utterly stupid. There was no fucking way that plan was ever going to come to fruition.

"Idiots," Jerry mutters, shaking his head. "Did they really think they could take us all on?"

Denis nods grimly. "Apparently so. Their arrogance was their downfall. The rest of the Syndicate had no idea of their plans, and they're not happy about being dragged into this mess."

I push off the wall, pacing the room as I process this information. "So what now? We're sure there's no one else gunning for us?"

Henry speaks up, his voice calm and measured. "As far as we can tell, this ends with the Harringtons. The rest of the Syndicate wants to keep the peace. They've even offered to work with both New York and Chicago on their drug trade."

Jer snorts. "Why?"

"Assurance," Denis replies. "They're willing to form an alliance, which means we’ll be able to reap the benefits."

I exchange a look with Jer. This could be significant for us. While we have a lot of businesses, our main source of money comes from the drug trade. Being able to get into the American market would mean we could expand, but it also comes with risks.

"And we're sure we can trust them?" I ask, my eyes narrowing. "This isn't some ploy to get us to let our guard down?"

Denis shakes his head. "We've vetted their offer thoroughly. Makenna and Jade have eyes on their operations. If they try anything, we'll know."

Henry gives us a shark’s grin. "The best thing to do is for them to have a sit down with the Syndicate. Have them have Finn with them. That man is tenacious and he’s good at reading people."

"I'll have them arrange it," Denis says, already pulling out his phone.

“This is good news, gentlemen,” Henry tells us. “It means one less thing to worry about.”

I really hope he’s fucking right.

“I’ll see you soon,” Henry continues as he shuffles out of the room.

“Go on,” Jer tells me once everyone else begins to leave. “I’ll call you if I need you. I’ll try to give you some notice the next time.”

I grin at his poor attempt to be subtle but I don’t hang around. I say my goodbyes and head for the exit. It’s time to get back to Galway, back to Clodagh.

I pull out my phone, sending her a quick text.

Me: I want you naked when I get there. See you in less than three hours.

Her reply comes almost instantly.

Clodagh: Okay, Emmanuel. Stay safe x

My cock thickens at the thought of her being ready for me when I arrive. I have no doubt she’ll be soaking wet and needy. Fuck, the three-or-so-hour journey is going to take a hell of a lot less.

* * *

Entering the apartment, my cock thickens with every step. The smell of vanilla and cherry hits me. Fuck, my entire home smells of her and it’s fucking amazing. I stalk through the apartment, heading for my bedroom.

Opening the door, I freeze at the sight that greets me. Clodagh’s on the bed, completely naked, a shy but beautiful smile on her face. Her legs are open and her pussy on display for me, and it’s glistening with her need.

Christ, I’ve fucking missed her. I’ve never felt so attracted to anyone in my life, but with Clodagh, I’ve become obsessed. Whenever I’m not around her, I’m thinking of her. I want her.

“Good girl,” I rasp and watch as her breathing deepens and her eyes dilate.

I step to the end of the bed, planting a knee on the mattress. I don’t hesitate as I bury my head between her thighs, needing to taste her.

My mouth descends on her pussy with a desperate hunger. I’ve fucking missed her taste. I lick along her slit, groaning at her sweet taste. I love the soft gasp Clodagh releases as she arches her back, her hands immediately tangling in my hair.

"Emmanuel," she whimpers as I suck her clit into my mouth. Nothing, not a fucking thing, compares to her taste.

I don't respond, too focused on devouring her. My tongue circles her sensitive clit before dipping inside her, fucking her with quick thrusts. I need to feel her come, to feel her detonate. Clodagh's thighs tremble on either side of my head as her pleasure builds.

My cock is thicker than it’s ever been. I’m dying to sink inside of her, but right now, I need her primed and ready.

I can’t be gentle once I fuck her, so I need her to be soaking wet and ready.

I slide two fingers inside her, curling them to hit her g-spot as I continue to lash at her clit with my tongue.

Clodagh cries out, her hips bucking against my face.

I don’t stop; I continue to push her further toward the edge.

"Oh God, I'm gonna come," she pants, tugging on my hair. Her fingers curled tighter, pulling harder.

I double my efforts, sucking hard on her clit as I thrust my fingers faster. With a keening wail, Clodagh shatters, her pussy clenching around my fingers as waves of ecstasy crash over her.

I don't let up, working her through her orgasm until she's a quivering mess. Once she’s calmed down, I pull back, wiping my mouth as I glance at her flushed face.

"Fuck, I missed you," I growl thickly, quickly stripping off my clothes. The second I’m stripped down, I position myself at her entrance.

"I missed you too," she whispers against my lips. "So much."

The head of my cock teases her pussy. "You ready for me, baby?"

Clodagh nods, her eyes brimming with happiness as she wraps her legs around my waist. "Please, Emmanuel. I need you inside me."

I sink into her tight heat in one smooth thrust. I’m unable to hold back the groan. Fuck, she feels so fucking good wrapped around my cock. I savor the feeling. Christ, I’ve missed this. Missed her.

"You feel so good," I murmur, peppering kisses along her jaw. "So perfect."

Clodagh rolls her hips impatiently. "Move, please. I need you."

I don't need to be told twice. I start a slow, deep rhythm, pulling almost all the way out before thrusting back in. Clodagh runs her hands along my shoulders as she meets me thrust for thrust.

"God, I missed you," she pants, her nails digging into my skin.

"I missed you too, baby," I groan, picking up the pace. "So fucking much."

I can feel her pussy clenching around me, drawing me deeper. The sight of her beneath me, flushed and wanting, nearly undoes me. I've never wanted anyone the way I want Clodagh.

"Harder," she begs, her legs tightening around my waist. "Please, Emmanuel."

I comply, slamming into her with more force. The headboard bangs against the wall with each thrust, but I couldn't care less. All that matters is Clodagh and the pleasure building between us.

"That's it, baby," I growl. "Take my cock. You're mine, Clodagh. All fucking mine."

"Yours," she gasps, her eyes locked on mine. "Only yours, Emmanuel."

I can feel my release approaching, but I'm determined to make her come again first. I slip a hand between us, finding her clit and rubbing tight circles around it.

"Come for me," I demand. "I want to feel you fall apart around my cock."

Clodagh's back arches as she cries out, her pussy clamping down on me as her orgasm hits. The feeling of her pulsing around me sends me over the edge. With a final thrust, I bury myself deep inside her as I come, groaning her name.

We stay like that for a moment, both of us panting and trembling from the intensity of our climaxes. I pepper soft kisses along her face and neck, savoring the closeness.

This is where I belong, where I've always belonged. I know that being the Silencer is to ensure I can keep her safe. It's why it started. Why I became the man I am today. To protect those that I love. And fuck, yes, I love Clodagh. I think a part of me always has.