Shamrocks and Secrets (2 page)

"Kevin, who the hell was that and who the fuck is Legs?"

Kevin gave Brandon a wide-eyed look and then turned and ran out the door as if he was on fire, leaving me still confused and my questions hanging unanswered.

Brandon very gently placed his hand on my arm and began leading me back into the ballroom. I hadn't realized I had been out in the hall so long and most of the guests had already left. I noticed the staff had already begun to break down tables. Shannon was sitting at the end of the bar and the smile on her face was radiant. I hadn't seen a real smile on her face that wasn't because of Abigail in years. Sitting next to her was the dark haired man from earlier. She was looking at him as if he was the only person in the room. Just like green eyes, his suit was tailored and he held himself with confidence. His smile was almost as big as hers.

"Christi, let me buy you a drink and we can have ourselves a little chat."

At this point, I was too tired to argue.

Brandon handed me a cold beer and then leaned his entire body toward me. “
Al
l right, Brandon, start talking. What the fuck just happened?"

"That, my fair Christi, was Patrick Malloy. He's a close friend of the bride and groom's families."

I took a long pull of my beer. Okay, so he was a guest; that was obvious. What was with the personal bodyguards though?

"Brandon, spill," I said, my voice clearly conveying my agitation.

"Patrick Malloy is someone you want on your side. He has a lot of influence in what goes on in this town. He isn't someone you want as an enemy."

Another part of my job was being able to read people, and I could tell Brandon knew a shit-ton more than he was letting on. He was choosing to give me the cliff notes on green eyes, aka Patrick Malloy. I also knew when to cut my losses. If this Patrick guy was so influential in this town, then someone else would certainly know him.

“
Al
l right, then who the fuck is Legs?
”

Brandon moved in closer and spoke in hushed tones. "When Patrick likes someone, he gives them a name that he'll remember. You, my fair lady, must have made quite an impression.
You
are Legs."

I sat at the bar and continued to sip my beer. The room had been cleared and all of the staff had been paid and escorted out. Shannon had finally said goodnight and was being escorted home by the dark haired man. His name was actually Dillion and he was an accountant. He offered to take me home as well, but I politely declined. I would tell Shannon in the morning that Kevin was working for Patrick Malloy.

It was late when I finally got everything wrapped up and went to the restroom to change my clothes. I hated being in my uniform one second longer than I absolutely had to. With my Nikes laced up, I made my way to my car in the parking lot. George, the night security guard, walked with me and made certain my car started. I waved goodbye and turned left onto the street.

My mind must have still been on the evening, because I never noticed the black sedan that followed me home.

W
hen I got home last night, or rather very early this morning, all I could concentrate on was getting into a scalding hot bath. However, the last thing I wanted to do was to wake up Abigail. I silently made my way to her room and slowly and quietly opened her door.
He
r bedroom was the epitome of princess perfection. She had pink painted walls, her name spelled out in white wooden letters stood out against the color and there were
f
luffy pink curtains cover
ing
the windows. Her canopy bed was my favorite feature in the room, with its dainty ruffles and massive amounts of stuffed animals. I envied her. How pathetic was it to envy a four year old and her princess bedroom? It was more than that, though. Abigail had her mom, me, and our dad to take care of her. Growing up, it was just my dad and he didn't have a clue how to decorate little girls' rooms.

When I was six, our mom
ha
d disappeared. I could remember asking my dad when she was coming back and he would always say she was off on a vacation. I remember that we packed up the car one day and Dad drove us to Chicago. Now, all these years later, I still didn
’
t know where she was and Dad wouldn
’
t talk about her so we avoid
ed
the subject of her entirely.

Abigail was sleeping soundly and I knew she wouldn't wake if I ran the water. So that was just what I did. As I lay in the tub surrounded by bubbles and silence, I replayed the events of the night in my head. I had been told in the past that I had a nice set of legs. I never agreed, but then again, a lot of women d
on
't like their bodies. Somehow it felt almost offensive to have Patrick Malloy make reference to them. It didn't really feel like a compliment, more of him naming a place he wanted to be
—
between my legs. I decided that it didn't matter. I'd lived in Chicago all this time and this was the first time I had ever encountered him. What did matter was getting in touch with him again. I needed to let him know what a piece of trash he had in his employ. I had to find out what kind of business he ran and then let the courts know. Abigail was growing everyday and her needs were becoming more and more expensive. It was time Kevin was forced to pay. The hot water and fragrant bubbles had done their magic. I felt relaxed when
I
finally crawled into my bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.

The downside of living with a four year old was that they tended to have schedules. Abigail was no exception. When she was awake, she expected everyone in the house to be as well. She didn't care that you had only gotten three hours of sleep.

Abigail woke me by bouncing energetically on my bed. “AUNTIE
CHRIS, TIME TO GET UP!" she shouted as she continued to jump.

“Oh God, who gave you sugar so early?" I asked to no one in particular

“Auntie
Chris
ti
, Mommy's making pancakes. Hurry up, I'm hungry!"

She finally quit jumping as she mercilessly removed the covers from my bed. It was a damn good thing she was cute. I groaned as I heaved my tired body over the edge of the bed. My feet were sore and the
chill
of the hardwood floor felt so good.

As I made my way into the kitchen, I smell
ed
the one thing that would make my life better, coffee.

I watched as Shannon was flipping pancakes and humming, swaying her hips to the song that must have been playing inside her head. This was a bad sign. Shannon was notorious for falling in love fast and thinking later. This wouldn't be the first time I would have to rein her in. I took my seat at the bar and Abigail quickly followed.

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sister?"

Shannon turned around as she placed a plate full of pancakes on the counter. The smile on her face was huge and I could only guess what, or rather who, had put it there.

"Can't I just be in a good mood?
”
She questioned with a smirk on her face.

"Just please tell me you slept in your own bed last night
?
”
My face serious.

"Mommy, can I have pink juice?
”
Abigail interjected as she headed toward the refrigerator.

I wasn't going to let Abigail's question derail my need for answers. Shannon had been hurt time and time again. I refused to let that happen this time. I would kill Dillion if he tried to hurt my sister.

"No, B
aby, you can have milk."

"Can I have pink milk?" her big blue eyes sparking at her Mother

"Good try, but no, you can have white milk." Shannon said with a chuckle. Shannon placed the cup of milk in front of Abigail. Her attention again focused on me.

"Yes, Christi, I slept in my own bed...alone."

I knew I had to be careful with Abigail in the room. I wasn't always able to keep my emotions in check when it came to my family.

"I like him, Christi. I like him a lot. I want to get to know him better and see where this goes. He listens to me, he actually looks me in the eyes
,
and is interested in what I have to say."

I completely understood what she was saying. All too often men were too busy staring at my chest, rather than paying attention to the words I spoke. I still wanted her to be careful, though.

"Well, since you went to all the trouble of trying to bribe me with carbs, what do you want from me?"

Shannon hated to cook. Even though she was really good at it, she only did it when she wanted something.

"Wow...nothing gets by you, Watson."

"Pfft, please, I am so Sherlock.
”
I countered.

"Whatever, I know it's your day off, but I have a date and I need a sitter."

"I will, on one condition.
”
I stipulated, completely serious

Shannon rolled her eyes and turned around to get more coffee.

"Ok, I'll bite, what's your condition?
”
she asked.

" Don't shave your legs before your date.
”
I responded matter of factly.

"Um...okay...but why?
”
her tone clearly curious

"Because I heard somewhere that if you have stubbly legs, you're less inclined to
...
have relations.
”
I whispered, looking quickly to Abigail.

Abigail was beyond excited to be spending the night having a sleepover with Auntie Christi. I promised her we would order pizza, watch all her favorite movies, and stay up late. She didn't really understand why she couldn't go with her mommy on her date. I told her they would be doing boring things and that we would have so much more fun.

I told Shannon it might be better if I had Abigail in the bedroom when Dillion came to pick her up. I didn't want her to be confused if things didn't work out. Shannon agreed and I distracted my niece with an impromptu dance-off. We stood in her bedroom with my iPod and danced around the room. When I was certain Shannon had left, I took Abigail out into the living room and was about to order pizza when my dad called wanting to know what we had planned for dinner. He insisted he take us out for pizza when I told him of our plans.

Dad took us to a little mom and pop place called Gino's. They made the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza on the planet. Once we devoured our food, Abigail asked if she could go play the video games. Since we both had a clear view of the machines, dad gave her money and told her to go get quarters from the cashier. With Abigail safely occupied, I decided to pump my dad for information.

"So, Dad, you seem to know everyone in this town, what's the story on Dillion Parker?"

My dad never took his eyes off Abigail as he spoke.

"Chris, you can trust Dillion with Shannon. He's a good guy, he'll treat her right."

This surprised and yet angered me at the same time. Dad knew all of the pieces of shit that Shannon had dated, yet he knew of a decent guy and he never brought him around.

"If you knew he would be good for her, why haven't you introduced them before?"

My dad actually chuckled at this one. "Fathers don't tend to get involved in their daughter's love lives.
”

He had a point I guess. I decided to go for broke.

"I had a run in with Kevin last night at the wedding. Shannon didn't see him. I found out where he's working and I got his boss's name."

"Did you tell your sister?
”

"No, she was too damn happy this morning. I didn't have the heart to mess that up." I admitted.

"I can't blame you there, Sweetheart. So, who's the fucker working for?"

I took a drink of my Coke. I wanted to know as much as I could about Patrick Malloy. My dad had a lot of contacts and if anyone had information on him, I knew my dad would have it.

"A man by the name of Patrick Malloy, ever heard of him?"

My dad took several minutes before he spoke. He wasn't a man of many words, but when he did speak, he meant every word he said.

"Did you speak with him about Kevin?"

"Not really, he noticed Kevin and I were fussing and he asked if there was a problem, then he called Kevin, Douce.
”
The last word coming out as if a question.

My dad pulled out his phone, checking it quickly and then pocketing it.

"Tell me something," my dad shifted his body closer to mine, "did you tell Patrick how you and Kevin knew each other?"

"Actually, Kevin told him that I was the sister of an old friend.
”

I watched as Abigail jumped up and down at whatever was happening on the video screen. We both chuckled as she yelled out in excitement.

"Did the subject of Abigail come up?"

I noticed my dad start looking around; he was starting to creep me out.

"No, he got really nervous and then tried to play it off like we were just talking. Patrick told him he would see him later then left with his men."

"Did Douce stick around?"

"No, as soon as Patrick left, he shot out of there. I talked to Brandon, the bartender who seemed to know Patrick, and I asked him what the deal was."

"Brandon was working your party?"

"Yes, Kevin got really nervous when Brandon came over."

"I'll bet he did more than get nervous."

Now I was really curious. Who the hell was this guy?

My dad was again silent. I let him be; knowing if I pushed, he would just clam up and I would never get any more answers.

"Christi, what I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this table, you got me?" I nodded my head and leaned in closer to my dad.
“
Not even your sister, do you understand?
”
Again I nodded.

"I've known the Malloy family for a very long time. I've been good friends with Thomas Malloy since we were boys."

I listened patiently as dad continued his story. His far off gaze told me he was telling it just as he lived it.

"When you were a little girl and your Mother and I started having problems, she threatened to take you girls and run. I was just a street cop in a small town and didn't have two nickels to rub together. Thomas had called me out of the blue and I told him what was going on. He hired a top-notch attorney that dug up information on your Mother. She signed the divorce papers and disappeared into the night. Thomas got me the job here and told me he would call on me in the future for a favor. He told me that family was the most important thing in this world and I agreed with him. Patrick took over the family business from his dad, Thomas, about six years ago."

He looked at me again, a serious look on his face.

"I'm not surprised that Douce didn't want Malloy to know about Abigail. I can guarantee you that that was why he left."

Abigail began to laugh at a little boy who was playing beside her, apparently he lost his game and was throwing a fit. She had such an infectious laugh that you just couldn't help but join her.

"Did Patrick say anything else to you?"

I thought for a minute before I answered him. "He called me Legs."

My dad chuckled and then turned to me and looked me directly in the eyes. "Keep that one filed away, you may have to use it someday."

Abigail came back to the table after she had used up all of her money, and I noticed it was getting late, so my dad went and settled the bill, while I waited with Abigail. We said goodnight to the owners and headed out to the parking lot. I had just finished getting Abigail fastened into her booster seat when I heard laughter coming from across the parking lot. I looked over and noticed that none other than Patrick Malloy was getting out of a black Mercedes. He had a voluptuous blonde at his side and she was giggling at every word he spoke. He noticed my dad before me and said something to the blonde and the guys that surrounded him. He made his way across the lot in my dad's direction.