Claiming Red: The O'Connell Family(11)

“I don’t know what it is, but I know what it’s not.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, it’s none of your business.” I walked right into that one, the fucking asshole. What if I told him the same thing about his sister? I bet my ass would be laid out.

“Whatever you prick. What is your plan?”

“I think it is time I took a vacation and so, you know my fiancé is taking it with me.”

“Fiancé? Since when?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The guy was rumored to be a playboy and all of the sudden he was interested in marrying the same woman that his uncle had paid to marry. I was going to keep an eye on them.

“Well not yet, but in my opinion it’s a done deal. She’ll come around.” He sounded certain, we’ll see. I wasn’t her brother, I was just asked to make sure that other fucker and the other possible buyers stayed unaware of her whereabouts. I hoped her parents weren’t that stupid to give out her location to anyone, but it wasn’t looking too good. The rumor was that when she was eighteen they could claim her. Now that she is a few days away, they are going to want their due.





Chapter 7: Rick


He had poured us both a drink and this time I took my time drinking it. I had to get a plan together. Greece was looking like the place to go. I already had the ring, I just needed the right time. But the way I was looking at it, it may be better to rush the wedding. They could claim her if she was already married. Fuck it sucks not knowing who the other buyers, if any were. I had to call Roger.

“Roger, how many influxes were there.”

“Three.” Shit one was one too many, but I at least knew who that one buyer was.

“Okay, I need you to get more information. Make sure no one knows who’s asking okay? I want names.”

“It will be hard, but I will try and get back to you as soon as possible.” I hung up with a heavy sigh.

“I won’t ask you anything about the conversation, but I do have to ask you something.” I waited for the question that I knew was coming.

“Are you sure about her? I mean, are you really sure?” I had the same symptoms, he had when he met my mother.

“Absolutely. I felt it the moment she looked up at me in her baseball cap.” The thought of anyone trying to harm her made me want to kill a fucker.

“Baseball cap? Really?” He knew me, the women I dated didn’t leave the house without makeup on, hair done and dressed to the nines. So, I told him about this morning. It was only this morning? Wow, my world changed in a matter of hours.

“I still remember the first time I saw your mother. It was a done deal too. She didn’t know what hit her. I ran all over her and wouldn’t take no for an answer. She was a young law student and didn’t want to give up her future for me. It took her awhile to realize that I wasn’t going to give up. Her family wanted nothing to do with me and my family and their illegal history. So, I proved to them that although ruthless in business, I was no criminal. I have never been happier.”

“You have told us that story for years. It happened with Grandpa too, why not with uncle?”

“Because he was too stubborn and prideful when he was young. He had killed a guy because the guy owed him money. The guy’s brother came out for revenge. One day he and Sheila, the woman who was the one, went out driving. She had paid for his stupidity. They were both shot repeatedly. Since then, he has grown harder and more ruthless than anyone could imagine.” I could understand that the pain would be unbearable to have lived through and I was going to do everything I could to make sure I didn’t have to. She was my world now, so I would do anything to keep her safe.

“I have to make some arrangements, but I plan to take her away for a few days. I am going to get her, now.” We walked out to join the rest of the family. I looked at my woman and she was smiling at something my mom had said and turned to us. That smile warmed my heart, and I would do anything to keep it there. Just as I sat down next to her and gave her a peck on the cheek, my phone buzzed; it was Travis:

Get her out. His car just pulled up.

Fuck. I looked up at my dad and shook my head. “Hey Red, it’s time to go.” I hugged my mother and sister and shook my brother’s hand.

In walked one of the maids and she said, “Mrs. O’Connell, Mr. O’Connell’s brother is here.”

“Tell my brother I am coming right now.” After the maid left the room, I pulled Red behind me as I heard my uncle say that he knew the way.

“Go out through the study, son.” He patted my shoulder, “I love you, son.” I nodded. Red’s eyes bulged, her hand squeezed mine tighter. She knew his voice; I wonder what else she knew. I dragged her out as I heard my father say to my family, “She was never here, understand?”