Fix You (The Irish Rogues #3)

Chapter Six Raphael

W hat the fuck had I just agreed to?

With a shake of my head, I stared at Maeve in disbelief. I never took women up on their demands. If anything, I was always the one making demands of them . If they ever tried to make demands of me, I cut ties immediately.

How was it possible that I was letting a woman I barely knew lead me around like a lost puppy? Part of me knew she was leading me more by my cock than anything. And dammit me to hell if I wasn’t enjoying every moment of it.

Although she paled slightly, Maeve’s gaze focused on the dance floor. Drawing her shoulders back, she said, “Right. Time for my part.”

My lips quirked at her reaction. “Break a leg,” I mused.

She shot me a look. “I don’t think what I’m about to do warrants that comment. After all, this isn’t a performance,” she argued.

“Isn’t it though?” At her furrowed brows, I replied, “It’s a command performance for me.”

She grinned. “And instead of a bouquet of roses at the end or applause, I get to kiss you.”

I laughed. “Sounds like a disappointing prize.”

With a playful roll of her eyes, she replied, “Please. You know you’re a prize.”

“I do?”

She nodded. “It’s in the way you slink around like you’re God’s gift to women.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I countered, “I don’t fucking slink.”

“Yes, you do. It’s this whole predatory vibe you have.”

“Whatever,” I muttered with a grin.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of one of her brothers coming over. We hadn’t been introduced yet, but I knew he favored Callum. “Oh grand, you’re just the person I was looking for,” she said to him.

With a smirk, he replied, “What can I do for you, little sis?”

Always the rule follower, Maeve said, “Have you met Caterina’s brother, Raphael?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t had the pleasure yet.”

“Raphael, this is my brother, Dare.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I replied, “You were one of the ones who helped kidnap my sister.”

While Maeve shrieked in horror, Dare’s jovial expression didn’t waver. “Aye, I was. I’ve apologized to her, so I suppose I should apologize to you as well.”

“I appreciate that. It appears Caterina has forgiven, so I will as well.”

“Did she tell you how she racked up my balls with a mop handle?”

Maeve ducked her head at the mention of her brother’s balls while I busted out laughing. “She did?”

Dare rolled his eyes playfully. “Don’t act all innocent. It was very evident that you Neretti boys taught your little sister self-defense. Not to mention giving her a gun that she used to shoot Callum in the thigh.”

Pride soared through me at his declaration. “That’s my Kitty Cat.”

“She’s our Kitten now, and I’m proud to call her my sister-in-law.”

Although it pained me greatly, I nodded. “I’m proud she’s a part of your family.”

Surprise flashed in Dare’s eyes for a moment, but he masked it. Turning to Maeve he asked, “So what was it you needed?”

Licking her lips nervously, she glanced past him to the dance floor. “Someone dared me to do another jig, so I needed a partner.”

He swept a hand to his chest. “It would be my pleasure.” Wagging his brows, he added, “I’ll tell the band leader to clear the floor for us, so we can show these ejits how it’s done.”

Maeve’s face paled as she grabbed his arm. “No, no!” she cried. Shaking her head, she added, “That’s not necessary. We can dance with the others like before.”

“What better way to answer a bet than to really lay it down.”

As he headed for the bandleader, Maeve turned back to me. From her expression, I knew she was about to call the bet off. Instead, she jabbed a finger at me. “I expect tongue for this!”

I blinked at her in disbelief before throwing my head back with laughter. As she stalked off, I couldn’t help murmuring, “You’re a hell of a woman, Maeve Kavanaugh,” I murmured.

Dare grabbed the microphone from the band leader. “Ladies and gentleman, as you all know, I’m a man of many talents.”

As whistles and catcalls went up among the crowd, especially from the women, Dare grinned. “One of those talents is Irish dancing. While all the Kavanaughs are talented, my sister is the true triple threat of our family. She’s agreed to dance with me again, but this time we need the entire floor. So play The Blackthorn Stick, boyo!”

When Dare handed the microphone back to more applause and cheers, the dance floor emptied out. Although Maeve looked like she was about to throw up, she joined Dare. Just as the upbeat music began to play, she quickly ripped off her heels and tossed them to the side of the dance floor.

As she began moving effortlessly to the music, I became completely enthralled with Maeve. Her toned calves kicked to the beat. From time to time, her dress would swirl up, and I’d get a look at her thighs.

When the crowd began clapping in time, I joined them. Although Dare was a good dancer, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Maeve. Elation lit up her beautiful face. It was a complete change from how she’d appeared earlier in the evening. My ego inwardly boasted that somehow I’d had a part in putting that look on her face.

When she and Dare finished their jig, the rooftop erupted in cheers, whistles, and clapping. Everyone came out of their chairs to applaud. Crimson flushed Maeve’s face, and she ducked her head. But a radiant smile remained curved on her cheeks. I tried to ignore the way her chest rose and fell in harsh pants as she tried catching her breath.

After she kissed Dare’s cheek, she came off the floor towards me. The closer she got the more wicked her smile became. I liked watching the change come over her. It was like after all the years of being sheltered and coddled, she was coming into her own as a woman. But she was discovering it as she went along. It was pure innocence but with an edge.

With a gleam in her green eyes, she crooked her finger at me. “All right, Mr. Neretti. Time to pay up.”

I laughed. “Now you’re being cheeky as you Irish call it.”

“Perhaps I am.” Tilting her head at me, she countered, “It sounds like you’re stalling.”

“Oh yes, you’re very, very cheeky.” At the mention of her cheekiness, I desperately wanted to reach out and cup hers, and surprisingly it wasn’t the cheeks I would’ve usually gone for. No, I wanted to caress Maeve’s beautiful face. To run my thumbs across her soft jawline. To feel her lean her head into my hand.

Jesus, what kind of fucking spell had she cast over me to have me feeling and thinking such bullshite.

“Should I be worried about which dark corner you’re going to take me into to collect?” I asked.

“The darker the better, don’t you think?”

“Maeve Kavanaugh, you little minx,” I teased.

To my surprise, my words caused pink to tinge her cheeks. “I don’t know what’s come over me tonight,” she replied, as she fanned her face.

“Too much champagne?” I suggested.

“No. It’s not the alcohol. It’s all me.”

“Well, whatever it is, I like it.”

Her eyes lit up. “I kinda like it, too. I mean, I like me.” She pinched her eyes shut and winced. “I mean, I like what’s come over me.”

I liked it, too. A hell of a lot. “As for your previous question, yes, the darker the better.” After closing the gap between us, I lowered my voice. “Although I do have to say I’d like to be able to see the look on your face when my lips meet yours.”

She blinked up at me. “You would?”

I nodded. “Do you close your eyes?”

With her bravado waning, she stammered, “Uh, well, I-I don’t know.”

“I’d like to find out.”

Inwardly, I groaned at the words coming out of my mouth. What the hell are you doing? You just signed a wedding contract. Maeve is obviously an innocent virgin playing at being a seductress, not to mention she has five brothers who would riddle you with bullets if they knew what you were saying to her.

To my utter surprise, she replied, “What about you? Do you close your eyes? Or do you like to watch?”

The allusion to voyeurism shot heat straight to my cock. Watching others was the only sin I’d partaken in at Inferno. “I like to watch. Very much.”

When she got my meaning, the flush in her cheeks ran down her neck. “Did you bite off more than you could chew with that question, dolcezza ?”

Her brows furrowed. “What did you call me?”

“Sweetheart.”

“That’s milseán in Irish,” she replied absently.

“I think you’re avoiding the question.”

“In a way, everything about our interaction is too much.” When her tongue flicked out to wet her lips, I inwardly groaned. “But I want to try.”

Exhaling a ragged breath, I replied, “Then lets try.”

Without taking her eyes off of mine, she stepped forward to close the gap between us. But before she could reach me, Callum appeared. “All right, after that performance, you owe me a dance now, Roisin .”

“ Roisin ?” I questioned.

“It’s my nickname. It means little rose.”

“It suits you,” I remarked.

Wrinkling her nose, she replied, “Maybe when I was a kid.”

Callum’s gaze flickered between us before he held out his hand for her. “Come on now. You can’t say no to the groom at his reception.”

Disappointment and frustration swirled in Maeve’s eyes, but she quickly masked her emotions. “How could I possibly say no to my big brother.” With a plastered smile, she said, “Excuse me.”

I knew there was so much more that she wanted to say, but I merely replied, “Have fun.”

As the party wore on, it appeared the universe was out to spite us. Or I probably should say spite Maeve because we weren’t allowed another moment to potentially slip away to be alone. Between her brothers dancing with her and me dancing with Caterina and even Orla, we didn’t cross paths for the longest time. Then when we did meet again, others joined us to talk and drink.

Her anxious body language told me just how much it was getting to her. She shifted in her chair and smiled or laughed out of sync with the others like she was only half-listening.

When Orla suggested the two of them go inside, she appeared crestfallen. Her gaze swung to mine, challenging me to somehow innocently protest her absence. But I couldn’t. Not sitting with her family. It was simply too risky.

Reluctantly, she followed her mother off the roof and back into the house. With regret filling me, I rose out of my seat to go after her. But Dare stopped me by thrusting a glass of whiskey in my hand. “You gotta try this one.”

Gritting my teeth, I took the whiskey. “Thanks,” I grumbled.

It was then the band started packing up and the guests started inside the house. I knew time was officially up, and there was no way I could ensure Maeve would get to collect on her bet. I jerked my head at Leo and Gianni. “We should say our goodbyes to Caterina now.”

With a roll of his eyes, Leo grumbled, “It’s about fucking time.”

I cocked my head at him. “There wasn’t one Irish girl you could charm the panties off of tonight?”

When Leo opened his mouth, Gianni snorted. “He got shot down.”

Chuckling, I replied, “Seriously?”

With a wince, Leo replied, “We might as well have been at an Italian wedding reception with all the locked down pussy.”

“I suppose you didn’t fare any better?” I asked Gianni.

He winked. “I knew better than to try anything besides a dance.”

I ruffled his dark hair. “Look at my little brother, the gentleman.”

Snorting, he replied, “It was more like I didn’t want to lose my dick.”

With a gleam in his eyes, Leandro jerked his chin at me. “Considering how many dances you had with Maeve, you’re apparently not concerned about your own dick.”

Before I could respond, Gianni said, “She would be worth it.” He licked his lips before adding, “ E uno schianto .”

At him calling Maeve a stunner, I reached over to smack the back of his head. His eyes snapped open to glare at me. “What’s your problem?”

“Don’t talk about Maeve like that.”

“I just said she was stunning.”

“Let one of her brothers hear you say that, and you’ll get much worse.”

With a roll of his eyes, Gianni countered, “Seriously? It’s not like I said how I’ve been wondering all night if the carpet matches the drapes.”

With those words, red ran over my vision, and I launched myself at him. Shoving him up against the wall, I brought my elbow under his neck. “Don’t you ever disrespect Maeve like that again!”

Gianni’s dark eyes popped wide with shock. While I fully expected him to go off on me for daring to put my hands on him, he merely replied, “I’m sorry. You have my word.”

“Good,” I grunted as I pulled my hand away. When I turned around, Leo slowly shook his head, disbelief etched on his face. “What?” I demanded.

“You didn’t give a fuck about the vile shit I spewed about your future wife, but you’re losing your mind because of what Gianni said about Maeve?”

Fuck. I felt raw and exposed under his stare. I didn’t even understand my reaction myself, least of all how to explain it to him. “This isn’t about my lack of feelings for Drea. It’s about the alliance.”

“Bullshit,” Leo argued.

“In case you missed it, this alliance encompasses our baby sister’s happiness. Last time I checked, that wasn’t bullshit. Not to mention the fracture we currently find ourselves in with Father. We need this alliance more than ever.”

With a bob of his head, Leo replied, “You’re right. We do. But don’t think for a minute Gianni and I don’t realize what your reaction was really about.”

“There is nothing between Maeve and me.” At both of their looks of exasperation, I grunted. “Fine. I liked her.”

“What’s not to like,” Leo said with a grin.

Gritting my teeth, I replied, “It’s about more than her being a fucking ten.”

“What is it then?”

Although I could’ve told them it was her kindness or her innocence or her humor or her silent courage, I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to say anything because it would mean sharing parts of Maeve I only wanted for myself. “She’s just a lot of fun.”

When Leo opened his mouth, I jabbed a finger. “Not a fucking word.”

He and Gianni chuckled at my outrage. Caterina and Callum interrupted us then. “I’m beat, so we’re going inside,” Caterina said.

Motioning to the house, Gianni said, “Sounds like the party is still going.”

Callum laughed. “It will probably be all night.”

I laughed. “Sounds like an Italian wedding reception.”

Shaking her head, Caterina said, “Not for me. I’m too tired.”

“You’ve had a tough week,” I pointed out, which earned me a glare from Callum.

“I’ll be fine. I just need a good night’s sleep,” Caterina protested.

“Then we’ll say goodnight and goodbye, Kitty Cat,” Leo mused.

“You can’t go back tonight.”

“The jet is on standby,” I remarked.

“But I barely got to see you guys.”

“We’ll remedy that soon,” Gianni said.

“There’s lots of people staying the night. I’m not sure where they’re sleeping, but they are,” Caterina said. After I exchanged glances with Leandro and Gianni, she implored, “Please stay.”

I cut my gaze over to Callum. “Do you extend the invitation?”

He clenched his jaw. “Aye, there’s plenty of room. We have several guest bedrooms in the basement.” When Caterina sucked in a harsh breath, Callum asked, “What?”

“You told me I’d have to share your bed because there weren’t any guest bedrooms in the house,” she huffed.

While I narrowed my eyes at Callum for him deceiving Caterina, he had the audacity to grin at her. “It was partially the truth. The downstairs bedrooms are only equipped with twin bunk beds as a means to harbor some of our men during times we’re on lockdown.” He brought her hand to his lips. “It’s certainly not a good enough place for my wife to sleep.”

“But it’s apparently good enough for her brothers,” I mused tersely.

Silent fury flashed in Callum’s eyes. “The Parker House is mere minutes from here. I’ll be happy to put you all up to ensure you sleep in the manner you’re accustomed to.”

At Caterina’s pleading glance, I sighed. “While I’m grateful for your offer, there’s no need. We’ll be fine right here.”

Caterina grinned as she bounced on her feet. “It’ll be just like old times.”

Leo snorted. “I seriously doubt that. It won’t be like you’ll come climbing into one of our beds if you get scared.”

Caterina playfully rolled her eyes. Surprisingly Callum didn’t appear pissed at his remark. Instead the corners of his lips quirked up. “That reminds me of Maeve. She always would get scared and get in bed with one of us.”

At the mention of Maeve, I inwardly groaned. The last thing I needed was any comparisons between Maeve and Caterina. It only made me feel even more like a bastard for lusting after her.

Motioning his hand, Callum said, “Come on it. We’ll get you set up.”

As soon as we got inside the house, it was apparent that no one was leaving anytime soon. Conversation and alcohol flowed and new appetizers began to be passed around. Apparently Dare had taken a shine to me because he pulled me over to have a seat with him and some of his cousins.

Although I was used to raucous Italian parties, I became overwhelmed, especially when the conversations rattled along in Irish. Giving my apologies to Dare, I rose off the couch. Desperate for a smoke to calm me down, I made my way back to the roof.

Thankfully, I found it empty. As I walked over to the ledge, I couldn’t help taking in the view of the city. I’d just reached into my pocket for my lighter when a low growl jolted me on alert. Bypassing the lighter, I reached for my gun only to realize I’d unarmed myself during my meeting with Callum as a show of respect.

When I whirled around ready for hand to hand combat, Maeve threw up her hands. “It’s just me.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry,” I replied as I jerked my hands down.

“It’s okay. I guess I should’ve announced myself.” She grinned before motioning to my ankles. “Or I suppose I should’ve announced Murphy.”

Glancing down, I surmised the pint-sized assailant gnawing on my pants leg. “At the sound of his growl, I thought a pit bull was about to lunge at me.”

Maeve giggled. “His bark is certainly bigger than his bite.”

Bending over, I picked up the wriggling dog. “So this is Murphy?” I asked, through the long swipes of pink tongue against my cheek.

Maeve gave the dog an adoring smile–one I wished that I could’ve put on her face. After I put Murphy down, I asked, “What are you doing out here all by yourself?”

Cocking her brows at me, she countered, “I suppose I could ask the same of you.”

“I needed a smoke break. And you?”

She sighed, a shiver running through her. “Too many people in the house to sleep. I needed some peace and quiet.”

“And I thought it was just me being overrun with Irishmen.”

Maeve grinned. “I imagine it’s overwhelming to an outsider.”

“Yes and no. I mean, my family is known for throwing large, loud parties.”

“So Italians aren’t that much different than Irishmen, huh?”

“Actually Sicilians,” I corrected.

Tilting her head at me, she countered, “I see you’re as prickly about that as the Irish are about being from the North or South.”

I laughed. “What can I say? We Sicilians are proud of our heritage. We consider ourselves Sicilians first, Italians second.”

“Yep. It sounds like being from Northern Ireland. Even though we belong to the UK, our hearts are forever and always Irish.”

A moment of silence passed between us before Maeve questioned, “Did you really come out here to get away from all the Irishmen?”

Chuckling, I waved the cigarette and lighter in my hand at her. “I needed a smoke.” When Maeve wrinkled her nose, I cocked my brows. “Is that judgment on your pretty face, Miss Kavanaugh”

She ducked her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I was only teasing you.”

“It just reminds me of my father. But cigars were his passion.”

“From what little I’ve heard about him, I don’t owe you any condolences on his loss.”

Maeve laughed bitterly. “That’s right.”

After I took a long drag on my cigarette, I mused, “Is there some unwritten rule that all mafia leaders are absolute bastards as fathers?”

“That’s been my experience.”

“Mine as well.”

Her face softened. “But when his time comes, Callum will be a kind, loving father.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

“How can you be so certain?” When Maeve cocked her brows at me, I held up my hands. “I’m not trying to be argumentative. I’m just curious how you can be so certain. Since he’ll be the father to Caterina’s children, I certainly want to believe you.”

“My father was a true textbook psychopath. One trait of a psychopath is taking sadistic pleasure in causing pain to others. You would imagine that would do him well in his line of work.” A shudder ran through her. “But he never turned that side of himself off even when he was home. He beat my mother, he beat my brothers–” she swallowed hard, “and he beat me.”

My eyes widened at her declaration. “Jesus, Maeve, I’m so sorry.” As I stared into her wounded eyes, I couldn’t begin to wrap my head around the physical pain she’d been forced to endure. Shaking my head, I replied, “My father might’ve cuffed the back of my brothers and my heads or shoved us when he was pissed, but he never, ever laid a hand on my mother or Caterina.” With a grimace, I added, “I mean, I guess the fact he had his men fire on her car when she and Callum were escaping negates that last comment, huh?”

She gave me a rueful smile. “While that’s pretty horrible, I still think I won the Biggest Bastard for a Father award.”

“Yeah, I’d have to agree.” As I extinguished my cigarette, Maeve’s declaration sent a different unease prickling along my spine. One that involved Caterina’s safety. “You say Callum will be a good father, but in light of what you just told me about your father, will he be a good husband?”

Maeve vehemently nodded her head. “I swear to the saints that Callum is nothing like my father. He doesn’t have one psychopathic tendency. He has the biggest heart, and he would do anything for the ones he loves.”

“Maybe you’re biased.”

“Maybe I am.” Her expression became haunted. “In the end, all I know is he killed our father for me.”

I stared at Maeve in disbelief. Everyone in the underworld knew that Callum had blown his father’s brains out. Regardless of how big a bastard Hugh Kavanaugh was, Callum’s act of patricide had alienated many in our world. No one had ever questioned the reasons why. It was assumed he’d done it in a grab for power.

“Did he kill your father to stop him from abusing you?”

Anguish flickered in Maeve’s emerald eyes. Her hands trembled as she brought her arms up to crisscross them over her chest, hugging herself tight. Staring out at the city, her voice was barely above a whisper. “You could say that.”

There was so much more I wanted to ask her about what had happened with her father. But I stopped myself. The last thing on earth I wanted to do was hurt Maeve, and there seemed to be so much pain where her father was concerned.

After surmising her for a few moments, I pronounced, “You’re right. Callum will make a good husband.”

She jerked her gaze back to mine. “You really mean that?”

“As long as he’s capable of loving Caterina.”

“Why wouldn’t he be?”

I shrugged. “Not all men love their wives.”

“Doesn’t your father?”

With a mirthless laugh, I replied, “Fuck no. But if you met my mother, you wouldn’t blame him.”

Maeve eyed me curiously. “I assume you’ll have an arranged marriage someday.”

With a grimace, I thought of Drea Caruso. If there ever was a time to come clean, it was now. But I didn’t. Instead, I replied, “I will.”

“You don’t think you’ll grow to love your wife?”

Her earnest expression made me feel like an unimaginable bastard. It was apparent that Maeve was a young woman who despite how she was raised saw hearts and butterflies when it came to love and marriage. I hated to crush her hope to the realities of arranged marriages.

I exhaled a ragged breath. “I’m sure I will care for her in some way.”

Her brows furrowed. “Care?”

With a frustrated grunt, I replied, “I’m sorry, Maeve. That’s just how I feel.”

She peered curiously at me. “What if you didn’t have an arranged marriage? Could you love a woman then?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Why not?”

“Because I never have.”

Her green eyes bulged in horror. “Never?”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, dolcezza .” It was the truth. I wasn’t shooting her a line. I hated to be diminished in her eyes because of my past.

“You don’t owe me an apology. You are who you are.”

Reaching out, I cupped her cheek. “Disappointing you fills me with regret.”

Maeve shifted away from my touch. “From the way Callum looks at Caterina, I truly believe he will love her.”

I grunted. “I think you’re confusing lust with love.”

“I’m well aware of the difference,” she huffed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“I realize that to you I appear like a sheltered and naive young woman who has no idea how the world truly works. I mean, I requested a kiss from you tonight to have an experience.” Her eyes narrowed on mine. “But I can assure you, I’ve seen the worst of it, and I still believe in love.

“If there’s anyone who deserves love, it’s you, Maeve.”

Furrowing her brows, she countered, “Doesn’t everyone?”

With a mirthless laugh, I replied, “Not some of the bastards and bitches I’ve met over the years.”

Her expression darkened. “I suppose you’re right.”

There was a question on the tip of my tongue that I wanted to ask her. At the same time, the jealous side of me didn’t. But finally, I jumped off the cliff and asked.

“Have you ever been in love?”