Murphy and Romeo sounded like hyenas, practically rolling on the floor, laughing at Connor's misfortune.
Connor ran his hand through his now darkened locks, managing to squeeze some of the beer from his drenched hair. "I deserved that." He admitted, reaching for a napkin and running it over his face. "Aislinn, dear. Ya think we could go talk?"
"Talk about what, Connor? That ye left for months with no word? Ye didn't even call." She looked more hurt than mad at this point.
"Aye, lass. But I kin explain."
"This one I've got ta 'ear, but I'm afraid it'll 'ave ta wait. I'm kind of swamped 'ere, but I get off at twelve. Until then, I'll get the usual. And fer the lady?" She looked to me.
"Jameson's fine." She nodded and walked off.
Connor smirked at his brother and Murphy only shook his head.
"The MacManus men curse." I laughed. "I can understand her pain." Murphy placed a hand on my thigh and kissed my neck. Then Connor and Murphy both reached in their pockets, simultaneously pulling out cigarettes and lighters as the drinks reached the table.
From what I had gathered from the past few hours, Aislinn is a bartender at Madra Dubh by day and was involved in an under ground Irish boxing league at night. I also found out that between balancing church and farming, Connor and Murphy were also both spectators and participators in these bare-knuckle fights.
"There's a fight tonight if yer interested." She mused, sipping on her own whiskey now.
I glanced at Murphy who looked to Connor. Connor looked calm and collected. "We'll check it out."
"I'll go grab my stuff." She smiled. Her anger had completely dissipated and she kissed Connor quickly on the cheek. "Did I mention you boys look a lot better without all the facial hair?" I thought I caught Connor blushing as we all stood and went for the door.
The fights were held in an old abandoned warehouse a few blocks from the bar.
Aislinn had gone somewhere in the back to change and get ready and Connor followed. Romeo, Murphy and I grabbed seats center ring.
"Connor loves 'er." Murphy said out of the blue. "'E wont admit to 'imself. She wont either, but I think they do. They make a good match."
"So you boys were street fighting sheep farmers?" I giggled.
"Connor is more of the fighter. I only got involved when 'e needed 'elp." He smirked. "Plus fightin' Irish twins drew in quite the crowd. We'd make a lot o' money that way." He looked at Romeo. "What about ye, Rom? Wanna git in on the fight?"
"Naw, cus. I think I'll sit back and enjoy the show."
Moments later, a man entered the makeshift boxing ring and announced that someone named "an déantóir baintreach" was going to fight "an naomh."
The widow maker vs. the saint.
"Holy shite." Murphy muttered as Connor and his opponent, a very burly redhead, entered the ring. He scooted forward in his seat, watching his brother. They seemed to be having some type of telepathic twin moment as they glanced at each other.
I grabbed Murphy's hand for support and he looked back over at me. I tried to give him a sympathetic look and he seemed to relax a little.
"Connor can handle himself, man." Romeo said as the ring master explained that because of this impromptu change in fighters, bets could now be changed for the next ten minutes. Connor and his opponent took separate corners and Murphy walked over to talk to Connor.
"I'm gonna go get in on this." Romeo said, pulling out a few bills and going to one of the tables in the corner.
Murphy came back and resumed his place beside me. "Fucker put in five grand fer this fight."
"It's not like you can't afford it."
"'E better fuckin' win." Murphy shook his head and began chain smoking.
Round 1 consisted of the boys circling each other, looking for a way in, their opportunity to pounce. The other man made the first move, jabbing Connor in the ribs before Connor lunged, pushing the guy into the ropes and tackling him to the ground. Burly ginger wrapped his leg around Connor's side and flipped him over, locking his arms behind his head and pinning him there until the bell sounded.
During round 2, Connor came at this guy delivering quick, harsh blows to his stomach and a harsh uppercut to his jaw, knocking the guy out of breath and bringing him to the ground. Connor stood back for a second, expected him to hop back up, but the man retaliated by swinging his leg behind Connor's, bring him down beside him. They rolled around on the ground, a tangle of limbs as the audience fought to see who was hitting who. Finally, giant lumberjack guy flipped Connor to his back and punched him in the face. Blood flew across the floor and Murphy jumped out, screaming out a string of curse words as the second bell rang.
Connor lay on the ground, coughing up blood. Murphy stood, muttering something to himself that I couldn't hear. Slowly, his twin stood up, wiping his mouth clean on his arm. He was visibly battered, but seemed no worse for wear.
Round 3 was brutal. The redhead came at Connor, delivering blow after blow to his stomach. Connor fell to his knees and before toppling over, his face fell into the man's knee. The Irish man jumped at this opportunity and toppled over onto Connor, pinning his hands done and kneeing him in the stomach. Connor looked defeated when Murphy yelled something in Russian and Connor sprung back to life, flipping the man over and pinning his hand behind his neck, hitting a pressure point and knocking the man unconscious. The bell rang and the match was over.