* All rights reserved. I own nothing but the storyline and Josie. Not all info will be accurate but this is fictional not realistic.
'You're weak! You're going to let some Russian punks force you to walk away?'
'You pompous asshole! She's dead because of them. Yes I'm walking away and if you cared more about a human being other than being a fucking paycheck then maybe you'd understand.'
'You're next in line to run this empire. How can you just walk away after everythng we've done?'
'Oh fuck you Connor, we all know you'll never give up this fucking empire! I've been next in line for the past five years.'
'You walk away now don't ever think of coming back!' (*Ring...Ring...Ring*)
'Didn't plan on it.' *slam*
*Ring...Ring...Ring* 'What the?' I was startled awake from the same reoccurring dream I've been having for the past two years to my phone ringing. I reached into the darkness for the offending device and brought it under my bedding to my face. I was momentarily blinded by the bright white of my phone's screen when I noticed the time was 1:00am. 'Who in their right mind calls this late? 213 area code, where the fuck is that?!'
"Ugh," I groaned groggy with sleep before answering the phone, "this is McGrath."
"Hello Ms. McGrath, I'm Sean Daniels of Cali Beats Recording here in Los Angeles."
"Wait, Los Angeles California?"
"Uh yes ma'am? Is there a problem?"
"Mr. Daniels I don't mean to be rude but do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Uh well it's about five in the afternoon. Is there a problem?'
"Mr. Daniels it's five there, I'm in Shannon, Ireland."
"Oh...ohhh Ms. McGrath I'm so sorry the time difference never even occurred to me. I-I can call back i-"
"No, no that's a'right. What can I do for you Mr. Daniels," I asked sitting up fully in bed.
"Oh uh... oh right. Well Ms. McGrath I have an employment opportunity to offer you."
"Employment?"
"Yes. I've seen your photography work and I'm quite impressed. I have a young pop/rock group gearing up for a worldwide tour and they're in need of a concert photographer. Would you be interested?"
"Well...I mean when is this tour?"
"A month from now. My label will fly you out to L.A. and provide accommodations for you as well. You'll meet with the band and get acquainted before you all leave on tour. And also there's a bit of a...conflict with this group."
"Conflict? What kind of conflict Mr. Daniels?"
"Well Ms. McGrath I *ahem* well I'm aware of the certain skills you possess and my musicians are being targeted by a Russian affiliated group."
"What group exactly?"
"Uh the...Tarahs. Do you know of them?"
I gripped my phone tighter upon hearing the name of the group. Images from two and a half years ago flashed through my mind and my pulse increased rapidly.
"Ms. McGrath? A-are you still there?"
*ahem* "Yes, yes sorry Mr. Daniels I'm here and yes I know the group. I accept the job offer."
"But we haven't discussed your salary. Wh-"
"It doesn't matter Mr. Daniels. Just give me the flight details and the address of where I'll be staying."
"But don't you...I mean I'm not expecting you to work for free especially considering this particular...*ahem*... situation."
"Mr. Daniels it doesn't matter. We can discuss the legals and details of my contract whenever I arrive there but regardless of payment or anything else I'll eliminate the Tarahs and keep your musicians safe."
"O-ok thank you Ms. McGrath. Oh but the band can't know anything about this."
"That's perfectly fine. I'd rather keep this whole deal as discreet as possible."
"Alright Ms. McGrath, your flight for LA will be next Monday and I'll meet with you say 3 my time Tuesday afternoon. I will send you a text of the needed information and addresses. I look forward to meeting you and settling you into a place at Cali Beats Records."
"Thank you Mr. Daniels. I will see you next Tuesday at 3, goodbye."
"Thank you Ms. McGrath, goodbye."
"Fucking Tarahs," I mumbled to myself after hanging up the phone and returning it to my nightstand. I sunk back into my bed pulling the covers up to my chin as I tried to rid my mind of that horrible night. Some time later I managed to drift into a restless sleep until the following morning.
My phone was obnoxiously beeping with a notice of a new text message. Reluctantly I threw the wrinkled bedding off of me and began my usual daily routine, ignoring my phone for the time being. After a morning run, a light breakfast and a long shower I finally turned my attention to the abandoned text on my phone. As I suspected a text from Mr. Daniels was waiting for me.
'Flight from Shannon Ireland to London Heathrow Monday evening 11:00. From London to LAX Arrival time to be Tuesday afternoon 12:30. Driver will be provided to take you to apartment #1221 1080 Fairview Place. Keys will be left with driver. Any questions or concerns please call or text -S. Daniels.'
Saving his number and text I quickly replied requesting acceptance of packages I'd be sending today. Said packages would contain my arsenal of assassin apparel such as guns, ammunition, tactical gear, knives, latex gloves, and my medical supply case. Attempting to travel with these items would put me at risk of being flagged as a international terrorist and thrown into the Clink. With that said I have to depend on FedEx to get my personal affects to Los Angeles. I strategically packed two large FedEx boxes, making sure nothing would get damaged during transport, tape them up and sent them on their 5 day long journey. I had exactly one week before I left for the states. Knowing I won't be returning any time soon I drove straight to the local pub from the shipping store.
Walking through the doors I was instantly engulfed in a sense of comfort and familiarity. Scanning the back of the spacious but cozy pub I was greeted with bright hazel eyes and a weathered smile. Returning the smile I beelined for the bar. The bright hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as the weathered smile broke into a hearty chuckle. "Well Lynnie you're early today."
"Ha yeah it would appear so wouldn't it Logan," I laughed back smiling at the burly Irishman standing in front of me. Logan McGinnis, pub owner and loyal friend. At first glance Logan could be perceived as an intimidating man. He stands tall and proud at 6'4, broad shoulders, muscular frame, kind hazel eyes that glimmer with youth and a ornery smirk that hides within a full beard of dark ginger hair. He may look like a tough grizzly but Logan's a teddy bear at heart.
OoO Flashback OoO
I met Logan shortly after moving to Ireland. My first Friday night in town I stumbled across McGinnis pub as I worked to memorize and navigate my new hometown. Walking past the faded emerald doors the hum of laughter, potent scent of cigar smoke and Guinness wafted out to the sidewalk. Something about the happy atmosphere drew me in and before I knew it I was meeting those hazel eyes for the first across the aged maple wood bar. Logan was drying pint glasses with a maroon cotton tea towel when I reached an empty stool at the bar. I was busy scanning the bar when his rough baritone voice startled me back to reality, "Well love I haven't seen you around here before. New to town or visiting?"
"Oh *ahem* I-I'm new to town, arrived last Saturday," I politely answered before making eye contact with him.
It amazed me how such a strong figure could hold such kindness. Logan gave me a kind smile before pourin a pint of the House's finest ale. I thanked him before taking a drink of the dark liquid. My body instantly relaxed as I closed my eyes, savoring the taste. A smile graced my face before I opened my eyes. I peered up at Logan who was giving my a goofy grin, "It's good huh love?"
I blushed slightly, "Aye, very good," I agreed laughing.
"Well t'anks. It's me own brand," he replied his goofy grin breaking into a full smile, "What brings ya' to Shannon?"
"I...I missed home. I promised some'ne if I ever the chance I'd move to Érie, get back to my roots."
"I thought I detected a bit of gaelic in there somewhere."
"Ha yeah maybe just a bit."
"How long have you been gone?"
"Oh let's see... 'bout twelve years now."
"Aye it was time to come home."
"Definitely. Been gone way too long."
"Well love, let me hopefully be the first to welcome you home. I'm Logan McGinnis, pleasure to meet you."
Logan held his right hand out over the polished bar.
"Josalynn McGrath," I answered back shaking his hand.
"Hmm McGrath, huh?"
"Yes? Is there a problem?"
"Any relation to Jack and Ruth McGrath?"
My breath hitched and the blood drained from my face. "Ahem uh yes they...they were m-my parents," I struggled to answer.
"Were?"
"Uh yes. They *sigh* they were killed thirteen years ago. Drunk driver ran a red light as my parents were crossing the intersection. Their car was s-slammed in between the drunk driver's pickup and a awaiting semi...killed instantly."
"Oh love. I-I'm so sorry to hear that. Your parents were great people. Such a shame. Did...didn't you have a sister too?"
"I...I-I did," I whispered looking down at the half empty glass on the bar. A silent tear rolled down my cheek before quietly splashing into my neglected drink. Watching the tiny ripples breaking the surfaces, I wiped away the unshed tears with shaky hands. I hesitantly placed my hands on the bar only to have two masculine hands encase around them. I looked up at Logan puzzled. Logan gave my a sad smile squeezing my hands gently.
"She's the friend you promised to come back home huh?"
Not trusting my voice I nodded back helplessly.
"Lynnie, c-can I call you Lynnie?"
I smiled fondly at him, squeezing his hands back, "sure why not."
Logan smiled back, "a'righty then. You tell me what happened whenever you're ready, aye?"
"Aye."
OoO Present Day OoO
Six months after that night I eventually told Logan everything and he instantly ended up being the big brother I never had. Ever since then we were as close as two friends could be without crossing the fine line between friends and lovers.
"So Lynnie not that I don't love your company, but why are you here so early? It's barely two."
"Well I received a quite interesting call last night."
"Oh? And what did this call entail?"
"A job believe it or not."
Logan's smile quickly fell into a scowl. "Better not have been that arse Connor," Logan replied back.
"Haha. Oh no, no. Not him definitely not Connor. No it was a Mr. Daniels, producer and part owner of Cali Beats Recording. He wants me to tour with one of his groups as a concert photographer."
"Ah well that sounds like hell of a deal."
"Yeah well that's not all..."
"What do you mean?"
"Apparently Mr. Daniels knows of my certain 'skills' as he referred to them an-"
"Whoa, whoa hang on. What does that have to do with photography?"
"I guess Mr. Daniels's music group has become the new target for the Tarahs."
"Tarahs?..Tarahs. Where have I heard that name?..Oh! They're the-"
"Yes exactly. That's why I'm here. I've accepted the job and leave for LA next week. Could you watch my place and take care of Torin while I'm gone?"
"Wait you're leaving your baby boy, why?"
"Logan you know I can't possibly take him along."
"But he's your boy.."
"I know but he's better off here and y'all will have fun."
"He doesn't like me."
"Only because you don't know how to play with him."
"It's not like he's a dog. He doesn't like the same things as Luca."
"Well no shit. He's a marble fox. He doesn't do the whole lay down, beg and fetch. He likes hide 'n seek and catching treats or chasing down prey. Just a couple moderations to your basic canine."
"Yeah a'right. How long will you be gone?"
"It's a full world tour so probably a year, maybe longer depending on how long it takes to eliminate the Russian threat."
"A year's a long time love."
*sigh* "Yeah I know. Look let me meet with Mr. Daniels and if I'm able to get my own bus I'll send for Torin, maybe even give you a bit of a vacation."
"Aye a vacation that'll be a first."
"Ha aye it will be but you deserve a break every now and then."
"Love breaks don't exist," Logan chuckled walking around the bar. I laughed along while turning around in the bar stool I was perched on. Logan stood in front of me and gently grasped my hands in his while looking at me intently. My smile slowly faltered as my gaze met his.
"W-what," I asked trying to keep the atmosphere light.
"You sure you will be able to handle dealing with this group by yourself after everything they've taken from you?"
Every ounce of convivial faded away and I cleared my throat. I met Logan's gaze with dead seriousness. "If it was you that went through this. Had not one but two people that meant the world to you stripped from your life and you were given the opportunity to make it right, even if it meant revenge would you be able to walk away? Would you be able to ignore it just because you were alone?"
"I...I-I *sigh* no love I couldn't. But couldn't you at least do some kind of reconnaissance, find someone in LA with some intel on this group? You know an alliance, a compeer? Just ease my mind at least please."
"Yes you big softy I will find someone to help me, I won't do this all alone," I laughed slightly while slugging Logan in the shoulder. Logan smiled back and wrapped me up in a tight hug, lifting me off the bar stool and causing me to laugh even more. I returned his bone crushing hug the best I could and mentally locked away the familiar scent of Irish whiskey and fresh rain. A scent that was uniquely Logan, every other lad in Ireland seemed to have the generic and somewhat stereotypical scent of whiskey and clover but not him. We released our embrace and Logan plopped me back down my seat.
"You sure you have to go," Logan asked returning to his spot behind the bar. I sighed exhausted swiveling towards him. I gazed at the bar picking at the corner of a cocktail napkin listening to him clink around some drinking glasses.
Moments later my favorite drink appeared in front me. I shifted my gaze to a smiling Logan. I tried to return his smile with the same enthusiasm but we both know I failed undeniably.
"Logan..."
"Yeah love. I know just making sure you really want to leave the comforts of my Rokk Saw."
"Ha aye love. A year or so without a Rokk Saw may kill me. I don't know if I can manage that kind of withdrawal. See all the more reason for your vacation."
OoO OoO OoO
A/N: Hey everyone. I hope you enjoy my story Shots in the Dark. I've been a member of the site for awhile now but only as a reader before. I had this story written about a year ago with a completely made up band, but after listening to R5 and becoming a fan I decided to adapt this story into an R5 fanfic. I just want to apologize if any/all info on either member is false, I tried to do my research the best I could, but the internet is only so reliable lol. And with that said, this is a fictional story and I do have artistic freedom to adapt the story and characters to best fit the storyline.
So please R&R. Any review good or bad is appreciated. Thanks and until next time!