Page 30 of Stryker's Ruin

Inhaling deeply, he grins. “Traditional Irish stew and probably a tray of griddle bread in the oven. If we’re lucky there’s apple cake in the fridge.”

Stepping to the side, I glance around the cabin. Everything is open and spacious. To the right of the door there’s a sitting area in front of a fireplace, beyond it is a small round table with chairs and a long breakfast bar with a kitchen on the other side. To the left is a bookcase filled with books and games and a set of stairs leading up to a loft area. A hall leads past the kitchen.

“The bathroom is down the hall on the left, if you need to use it.”

I nod. Across from the bathroom I notice a bedroom. My suitcases are lined up along the foot of the bed along with Stryker’s duffle bag.

When I return, he’s in the kitchen pouring two mugs of coffee. I sit across from him on a stool.

“Are you an O’Kelley? Or do you work for them?”I ask in Irish.

He meets my gaze, nods, then gives a little smile. “You failed to mention you speak Irish.”

“I had an Irish nanny from ten years to twelve.”

“Themo stórgive me away?”

“And the Celtic knots tattooed on your arm.”

“It’s called a sleeve when it covers the whole arm.”

My turn to nod. “Good to know.”

He pushes a mug toward me and lounges against the back counter next to the stove with his own. “My father is Sean McLean. Head of another Irish Mafia family in Chicago. In his early twenties he was sent to Ireland to live with family for a few years and solidify his roots. He fell in love with a fine Irish lass,my mum. My great-grandfather and grandfather were knee deep in Chicago mob wars when they returned to the states. I was only one year old. To protect us, my father left us in Green Bay under mum’s maiden name. He used football outings as a way to visit us.

“He had this place built for us when he thought things were safer. I was maybe five or six. Another war broke out and we were sent away again. There were a couple years we didn’t see him at all. Only phone calls when he could. By the time I was seventeen the family had gone mostly legit, but it was a hard fight.”

“What do you mean?”

“The McLeans are descendants of some of the most feared clans. Born warriors. The mob wars were bloody and ruthless. No quarter taken.” He stares at me, one eyebrow raised. “My father is the enforcer.”

I gasp, then cover my lips. I know the term. It meanstake no prisoners.

“My father kept his promise to my mother and never let me join the family. Hell, I was thirty-three before I secretly met my grandfather for the first time.

“Instead, I joined the military as soon as I turned eighteen. I was a scout and sniper. Being a warrior, a killer, is in my DNA.

“The McLeans had no skin in this game between the Camassas and the O’Kellys. But my grandfather has heard things about Garvey. Things that don’t bode well. He talked to Anlon, his grandfather who admitted that Garvey is headstrong, a troublemaker. So is Nico, your half-brother.”

“So they sent you in as a plant to follow me and find out what was going on?”

“If another turf war starts, all the families will be involved whether they want to be or not. Vince and Anlon agreed to an outside party to provide security for you. The name of thecompany I work for was given to Vince. He contacted them. When they realized the location and implications, I was offered the assignment. Yeah, I took it to make sure my family was safe. Then I met you and realized the only innocent in this whole fucked up mess was you.

“That’s when I crossed the line and fell for you. Now nothing but keeping you safe is important.”

“Vince said they fired you.”

“I heard. They tried to kill me. Their mistake.”

“How did you hear?”

“The necklace you’re wearing has a microphone. I needed to know you were safe and if you were threatened in any way while at the dinner. It’s how I knew that Garvey was taking you to his club.”

“Did you hear what Garvey said before you found me?

“No. I lost the earbud during my fight with Vince’s men.”

“Garvey plans to—to use me to spy on the Camassas then he’ll kill us all. He said this is his town and he’s tired of sharing.”