There wasn't too much that could upset Aoibheann, unless it came to her family. She could let a lot of things go – she could sweep them under the rug. But this Dennis Cain was getting to her. And the fact that Chon had some sort of business going on with him – it didn't sit right with her. She needed the whole story.
So she sat in her car and waited for Chon to show up at his house. It was the day before the wedding, she had other things she needed to be doing but she knew that she and Chon needed to have a serious conversation. It wasn't working with them. Yes, she was attracted to him, yes – the sex was great. But she felt no emotional connection. And they had both wanted it that way. After losing her first love, Aoibheann didn't want anything too serious. But she also knew that if things changed, if she ever started to really fall for Chon, his heart wouldn't be in it. As much as she tried to deny it, for her brother's sake, she knew Chon had feelings for Brooke. And that Brooke had feelings for him too.
Aoibheann looked in her rearview mirror to see Chon pulling up in the driveway. But he wasn't alone. His friend Jake was there as well. The young Irish woman got out of her car and walked over to where they were parked. Chon smiled when he saw her. She smiled back. Because she still wanted to be friends with Chon, they had been through a lot together and even if she was ending their little thing they had, she still wanted to be his friend.
"Hey," Chon said, he motioned to his friend. "You remember Jake, right?" He asked. Aoibheann nodded her head, she had seen him around. He was very good looking and fit, she admired that. Jake smirked in Aoibheann's direction before looking to Chon.
"I got to take a call." Jake told Chon. "I'll meet you inside in a couple of minutes."
Chon moved over to where Aoibheann was, placing his hand on the small of her back, leading her inside. "I've been meaning to get in touch with you." Chon told her, ready to let her know that Dennis Cain was watching Liam. A part of him thought it'd be easier to get Liam out of the picture by not telling anyone about what Dennis had told him, about the DEA watching him, but as much as he hated Liam, he cared enough about Aoibheann to tell her what was going on.
"Yeah, I need to talk to you too." Aoibheann told him. When they were inside, she stepped away from Chon and looked him dead in the eyes. "Were you ever going to tell me that my family is being watched by the DEA?" She asked.
Shit. Chon closed his eyes for a moment before looking back to Aoibheann. "I was just about to." He wouldn't lie. "I only found out the other day."
"And you didn't think to call me or Ryan to give us a heads up? Look, I know you hate Liam, but he's not the only one being watched."
Chon hadn't known that. He was only shown the pictures of Liam and Brooke. He was so blinded by the photographs that he didn't even think about how the DEA was probably watching Liam and his entire family.
"And Dennis Cain is on your payroll?" Aoibheann shook her head, she hoped that part wasn't true but the look in Chons eyes was confirmation enough. "Look, I'm in no place to judge." Aoibheann said, "It's not like my family doesn't do the same thing - I just would have appreciated a heads up."
"I'm sorry." Chon told her. And he meant it.
"But that's not why I'm here." Aoibheann didn't want Chon to think that the reason she was ending things with him was because he was in business with a dirty DEA agent. "This thing between us, it's not working." Chon raised a brow, not saying anything. "And it's not because of this Cain fucker, it's," She sighed she watched as Chon lowered his head. She wondered what he was thinking. "-It's kind of hard to be with someone when his heart belongs to someone else." Aoibheann said causing Chon to look up at her. But he wasn't going to deny it – he wouldn't lie to her. He owed her that much. "It's obvious you're carrying a torch for Brooke."
Chon didn't speak; he would let her say what she needed to say.
"And as much as I would advise you against that, seeing as she's dating my brother, I also know that you can't chose who you love. Sometimes you know right away, other times it sneaks up on you – but it's obvious that you have strong feelings for Brooke and I can't be in a relationship or whatever this is, with someone who is in love with someone else. It's not fair to you or her."
"I'm sorry." Chon said, not knowing what else to say. He had been in love with Brooke for a long time. He fell for her the moment he met her. He had wanted things to work with Aoibheann, that perhaps one day he might be able to move on from Brooke, to love someone else. But she was like an addiction and he couldn't quit her.
Aoibheann gave him a sad smile. "It's OK." She spoke honestly. "I understand."
"Who is he?" Chon asked once he realized that Aoibheann truly did understand what he was going through.
"His name was Colin, we dated for four years until he was killed be a rival gang of the IRA's... we had plans to get marry once I started college."
"I'm sorry. Are you still going to come over and get high with me?" Chon asked, trying to lighten the mood. Aoibheann chuckled.
"Yeah, I'll still be around."
Chon smiled. "Good." He walked up to where Aoibheann stood. "Do you want to stay and get high?" He asked her.
Aoibheann laughed, shaking her head. "As much as I'd like to do that – I've got to help Anna set up for the rehearsal dinner." She told him. "The wedding's tomorrow and everyone's scrambling at the last second to make everything perfect." She sighed. "Anna is full Nazi mode."
"I've never heard of someone referring to the bride as a Nazi before." He chuckled.
"Well, I could say Bridezilla, but that is over used."
"Always one to be unique, Aoibheann." Chon commented. "By the way," Chon said as he walked her to the door. "Was it you who sent Cain that message?"
Aoibheann smirked. "Perhaps." She told him before walking out of the door, throwing a wink over her shoulder. Chon chuckled. He figured that much.
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Brooke walked around hers and Liam's room aimlessly, not wanting to go outside of the room. Having all of Liam's family here, including his snoody ex-girlfriend was really taking a toll on her. Half the time she couldn't even understand what they were saying with their thick Irish accents. Anna's family was here, her younger sister as well as many young, beautiful, bridesmaids that Ryan was talking up. The thought of him flirting with all the bridesmaids made Brooke chuckle a little. When Brooke first met Anna's young sister; Emily, Ryan had come up and tried to flirt with her. She simply held her head high and said; my sister warned me about you. Nice try. And walked away. Brooke had laughed and Ryan had glared. She simply shrugged her shoulders and walked away to find Liam or Aoibheann.
She had seen Liam across the room, talking privately to Irene in a heated form. She didn't feel the twinge of jealousy that she should have seeing him talk to intensely to his first love. Instead her eyes scanned the room for Aoibheann. When she couldn't find her, she went and hid in hers and Liam's room.
So here she was, standing at the vanity, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She wondered what Ben, O, and Chon were doing. She'd see Ben and Ophelia tomorrow at the wedding; Anna had invited her best friends so now Brooke wouldn't feel completely alone. She hadn't wanted to spend the entire wedding at Liam's side where he would most likely be talking business with most of the guests seeing as the majority of Brian's side of the guest list was members of the IRA (forced to be put on the guest list by Darcie.) Brooke heard someone clearing their throat and could see from the reflection that it was the devil himself; Darcie.
"Mr. Callaghan," Brooke said, surprised to see him watching her from her bedroom door. She had spun to face him, her hair flinging from the motion. Brooke held her breath as he moved forward, not knowing what to do. He scared her. He laughed when he saw her tense up.
Good. She fears me. She should. "Hiding out, I see?" He commented.
"No." She lied. "Just having a moment to myself."
Darcie scratched at his skin on his face. He had a beard this morning but Anna made him shave it for the wedding. He liked Anna, unlike Brooke. "You don't fit in well with this family, do you Miss Davis?" He asked her. Brooke forced herself to give him a small smile as she shook her head. "So tell me – why are you still here?"
Brooke didn't know how to answer that. "Pardon?" She spoke up.
"It's clear that you're out of your element here. So why do you stay?"
"Because I love your son," But before Brooke could say anything Darcie laughed at her answer, shaking his head and walking closer to where she stood.
"That's the thing, I don't think you do." He told her. "I'm sure you think you may love him. You're young, naïve, stupid, as most people are at your age. But I can see it in your eyes. You don't deserve Liam. And that's saying something – because Liam doesn't deserve much." Brooke's eyes narrowed in to a glare and Darcie raised his brow, challenging her. "You're simply a leech, sucking him dry. And instead of focusing on why we sent him here, he's distracted by the first gold digger to open her legs for him."
"-I," She tried to argue with him only to have him raise a finger at her. He wasn't finished.
"He's too busy playing house, killing potential allies because they upset you. Richard Davis? Your father, does that ring a bell?" He moved closer to her.
"You don't know what the hell you're talking about." Brooke said, finally finding her own voice. He had the nerve to bring up her father? She shook her head. "My father abused me for years and Liam was protecting me."
"Your father was powerful. We could have used someone like him on our team. Instead he's headless because he violated you, that's the term Liam used when he told me what he had done. I asked him why he still wanted you after finding out about that." He smirked. "He couldn't come up with an answer." He taunted her. "You're damaged, used, and abused. Why would I want that in my family?" Darcie asked her. "Why would I want that distracting my family? Because that's what you are, Miss Davis. You're a distraction."
"And you're just like my father." Brooke held her chin high, taking a step forward to show she wasn't scared of him anymore. "And I can't wait until the day Liam realizes he doesn't need you anymore and puts a gun to your head. No wonder your wife cheated on you." She said, referring to the fact that Liam was not Darcie's true son. "You're a miserable piece of shit and you abuse your children because it gets you off."
Darcie raised his hand, and just as he was about to strike Brooke, Ryan's voice stopped him. "What's going on here?" Ryan had asked when he saw his father was about to hit Brooke. He walked forward, grabbing Brooke by the elbow and taking her out of the room, leaving his father alone to cool down. "Are you nuts?" He asked her in a hushed voice. "Pissing off my father, Brooke? Not a good idea." He said once they were in the hall way. "You're lucky I came in when I did."
"I'm sorry." She apologized to him. She didn't know what came over her. But when he brought up her father she got so angry. "Don't tell Liam," she urged him. Not wanting anything to sour his mood on the night before his older brother's wedding. "Please?"
Ryan huffed. "Fine." He told her. "Just keep away from Darcie, OK?" Brooke nodded her head, agreeing to stay away.
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Liam was trying to remain in a pleasant mood, but his conversation with Irene had angered him. She had blamed him for their relationship ending and that he never fought for them. That it was because his life revolved around the IRA and not her and that she had been so stressed with the life he lived it had caused her to have a miscarriage. She had wished him a failed relationship with Brooke and all but spat in his face before storming away. Their relationship had ended because she left him after they lost the baby. Not because of his work. Well, not in his eyes. He had walked around the room afterward, looking for Brooke. When he didn't find her right away he sent Ryan to look for her while he talked to various members of the IRA that had flown in for the wedding.
Brian was at Anna's side, all night. His arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. Liam watched as Anna looked up at Brian as she spoke, eyes full of love and adoration. Liam admired Anna for standing by Brian's side after finding out his family was part of the IRA. He spotted Anna's family members talking with some of his distant cousins – he was sure they were oblivious to the business he dealt in.
"Liam," his sister's voice caused him to turn around where she was standing behind him with an unfamiliar face. Was this one of Anna's family members? No, he looked familiar. He had seen him before in one of his meetings with Ben and Chon.
"I see you've brought a guest." He commented, giving the man a nod. "Forgive me; I can't seem to recall your name." Liam told him.
"Jake." He replied calmly. Liam could see that this guy was someone who wouldn't be afraid of challenging him.
"Hm," Liam said, looking to Aoibheann. "A word?" He pulled her aside, away from Jake. When they were out of ear shot, Liam smirked. Aoibheann rolled her eyes. "Cheating on Chon now, are we?" He asked.
She glared. "Not that it's any of your business – Chon and I aren't together anymore."
Liam didn't know what to say, he was left with fear in the pit of his stomach. Though he didn't like Chon, he much preferred that Chon and his sister were intimate so Chon would stay away from Brooke. "Who instigated the break up?" He asked Aoibheann.
"Are you asking me this because you're my older brother and you care about me – or are you asking so you can ease your mind that Chon won't come and snatch Brooke from under your nose?" Aoibheann retorted, already knowing the answer. She rolled her eyes. "I broke up with him."
"And he's left utterly devastated, I'm sure." Liam said, trying to play off his worried expression.
Aoibheann felt bad for Liam. She didn't know what Brooke might do if she found out that Chon was no longer seeing Aoibheann; would she end things with Liam and rush in to Chons arms? No, Brooke cared enough about Liam not to do that. She sighed, pressing her hand to Liam's arm. "It's Brian's night tonight." She reminded him. "Go make the rounds."
When Aoibheann returned to Jakes side, she could see that Liam had been stopped by some of the members of the IRA. Ryan came up from behind her, grabbing her by the arm. "We need to talk." He told her in a hushed tone.
Aoibheann raised a brow. Great – what now?
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Liam had been told by one of the members in the IRA who worked closely with the NAVY Seals that the deal he had made was done. "Did they call him yet?" He asked quietly, not wanting anyone to hear.
"Yes." The man said. "He only has one more day here in the states."
Liam couldn't help but smile. Good, he thought. Time apart from Chon would be a good thing for him and Brooke. Brooke wouldn't be distracted by him anymore. "Thank you, gentlemen." He said. He looked across the room and saw Brooke standing alone at the bar and smiled.
"Ah, my love," Liam said once he spotted Brooke. He left the men he was talking to and was at her side. "How are you holding up?" He asked.
She faked a smile. "Good." She lied. What she really wanted was to get out of the house. But she knew she couldn't leave. The rehearsal dinner would start soon. She looked across the room to see Darcie staring daggers at her. She turned to Liam, so her back was facing his father. "How's Brian doing? I haven't seen him all night."
Liam smiled down at her, "He's doing well. He hasn't screwed anything up yet so he hasn't met the wrath of Anna." He joked causing Brooke to give in to a real smile. "There it is." Liam grinned. Brooke raised her brow. "Your real smile. I've been searching for it all night." He confessed. Brooke frowned at him, sad that he knew she wasn't having a good time.
"I'm sorry." She apologized. "I really am having a good time, I swear." She told him honestly (aside from her run in with Darcie.) "Do you want to dance?" She asked him, hearing music playing in the next room. Liam smiled, nodding his head and taking her by the hand, leading her in to the next room.
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"She needs to watch her back." Ryan said, telling Aoibheann what happened with Brooke and Darcie. "Or she's going to end up dead." Aoibheann rubbed her temples. She didn't need to worry about this now. "He had that look in his eyes, Aoibheann. The kind he gets once he decides someone is useless."
"I'll keep an eye out for her." Aoibheann told Ryan. She was glad Ryan stopped anything from happening. She didn't know if it was for Liam's sake, or for Chon, Ben and O's sake. She returned back to Jake who gave her a raised brow.
"Everything OK?" He asked.
"No." She didn't lie. "But I'll take care of it." She told him, but also herself. She could see that Brooke was with Liam, dancing with him. She spotted Brian and Anna dancing as well. She wanted to keep a close eye on Brooke for the rest of the night. Her eyes scanned the room to see Darcie watching Brooke with a glare. Ryan hadn't told her what Brooke had said to him, but it was obvious that it pissed her father off royally.
She turned her attention back to Jake when she heard his phone go off. He looked at the name on the screen and then looked to Aoibheann with a smirk and showed her who was calling; Chon. "You think Chon is having second thoughts about letting me be your date?"
Aoibheann rolled her eyes. "The only person who let you be my date was me." She kept him on his toes. He liked that.
He chuckled. "I've got to take this." He told her. "I'll be back in a few."
Jake walked out of the room and put the phone to his ear. "Yes?" He answered. The next thing Chon said made him stop in his tracks. "What?" He said in confusion. "Can they even do that?" He asked.
"Do me a favor and don't tell Aoibheann." Chon said from the other line. "And don't tell Brooke."
"They have a right to know you're being shipped off to Afghanistan."
"Just don't say anything." Chon said again.
"Is there anyone you could talk to that would let you stay?" Jake asked.
"No," Chon told him. "It's only for a couple months anyways and we could use the seed." He reminded Jake. "I just need to work a few things out, tell Ben, and … just a couple of things I need to work out." Chon said. "Get back to the party. Don't make Aoibheann regret asking you."
"I'm going to look in to this, Chon." Jake told him. "I'm going to find out who's pulling the strings here." He swore before he hung up with his friend. This was all happening too fast for it to be the government wanting Chon. It would take a couple months to prepare him for battle. This was just someone trying to get Chon out of the states. When he returned back in to the room where Aoibheann was, watching Brooke and her brother dance, he stood by her side. Visibly upset.
"Everything OK?" She asked. He shook his head. Jake then looked to Aoibheann. She looked up at him in confusion. "Can you talk about it?" She asked.
"No." He told her, tugging at his tie. He watched as, who Aoibheann had told him were, Anna and Brian walked to the middle of the room, gaining everyone's attention.
"If we could have everyone's attention," Brian said, causing the room to silence. "Anna and I would like to thank you all for joining us tonight, and are excited to celebrate more with you tomorrow on a day that I can say for me personally, will be the biggest day of my life. A day where I can make it official how much I love this woman," He looked down at Anna with a smile. She grinned up at him. "A day where we will celebrate love!" He cheers; everyone in the room raised their glass of champagne. "To love!" He toasted. Anna giggled, taking a drink from her glass.
She then spoke, "Forgive my groom to be," she smiled at everyone. "He has had one too many drinks tonight." She teased, causing the room to laugh. "But we do want to thank everyone for coming here tonight. Brian's friends and family who flew in from Ireland, my friends and family who flew in from Texas. We are blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love us and are ready to celebrate our love tomorrow. So thank you all for coming – we truly appreciate it!"
Everyone raised their glass, toasting to Brian and Anna.
Brooke smiled when Liam placed a kiss on her head, smiling up at him. But when she looked back to everyone else, Darcie was there staring at her with a look that could kill. She took in a deep breath and held her head high. She would not be scared of this man. She remembered a quote that Ben had told her once:
"You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you." – Eric Hoffer
She had spoken to Ben hours earlier when he shared the news with her that he was leaving for Africa for the summer, asking her if she wanted to tag along. She asked if O was going as well and he had laughed. "No, O said she'd stay in Laguna and wait for me." He told her. Brooke had declined, promising him that she'd go to the airport with him though to send him off. He was leaving the day after the wedding so she was glad he was coming to the wedding so she could spend time with him before he left for three months.
Brooke looked around the room again to see Aoibheann watching her, and next to the young Irish girl stood Jake. She raised her brow in confusion. She turned to Liam, placing her hand on his chest. "Why is Jake here?" She asked.
Liam shrugged. "I have no idea." He lied.
Brooke could tell he was lying. It was getting easier and easier to tell when he was lying to her. He would give little tiny hints, his jaw would tighten, and he'd avoid eye contact. You know for someone who is part of the IRA, you're a horrible liar. Brooke had once told him. When Brooke had moved to go forward to talk to Aoibheann and Jake, Liam stopped her, grabbing her by the wrist and bringing her back to his side. "Stay with me." He told her. "I can't stand to talk to anyone other than you for the rest of the night." He said.
Brooke looked to Jake one last time. He had a grim expression on his face when he looked to her. Something was bugging him. When she moved away from Liam once more, he stopped her again.
"Please?" He said in a serious tone, not letting her go this time. She sighed and nodded her head. She'd find some time to sneak away and talk to Jake. For now she would stand by Liam's side.