Shamrocks and Secrets (8 page)

Looking at me through the rearview mirror, he nodded. "It's Angus, Angus McCoy, Ms. O
’
Rourke.
”
He spoke with a thick Irish accent and his grey eyes never meeting mine. His face reminded me of Liam Neeson.

"Very well, Angus, and in the future, it's Christi."

"I'm sorry, Ms. O
’
Rourke, Boss says I
’
m to refer to you as Ms. O
’
Rourke."

"Well, Angus, he isn't here now, is he?”

“Sorry,
Ms. O
’
Rourke, I have orders to follow."

I couldn't argue with Angus, he was loyal to Patrick even if he wasn't around. I would remember that in the future. Little did I know it would come in very handy.

Angus drove me the twenty minutes to
Amore
́
, a restaurant that was just north of Michigan Avenue. The large green awning hung over the entrance and covered the valet area. Angus pulled in and a man in a red suit opened my door for me.

"Good afternoon, Ms. O
’
Rourke lovely to see you," the man in the suit addressed me. Clearly he worked for Patrick since he knew my name.

"Thank you."

The door to the restaurant was being held by a man in a black suit and I had no doubt he, too was one of Patricks hired hands. I made my way through the door, thanking the man who held it open for me. He tipped his head, but didn't make eye contact.

A busty blonde in a tight, black business suit was waiting for me once I entered the foyer. She looked familiar, but I didn't have time to ponder on it long before she turned on her heel, curtly snapping at me. "Ms. O
’
Rourke, if you'd please follow me. Mrs. Malloy is waiting in the garden room."

The blonde gave me a quick look up and down over her shoulder with a tight lip and a furrowed brow; she was clearly sizing me up.

"Oh, Christi, how lovely to see you again,
Lass.
”
Nora rose from her chair and greeted me with a kiss to the cheek. Paige was seated to her left and Allyson to her right. I saw only one empty chair and I waited for the blonde to finish pulling it back for me.

"Thank you, I can manage.
”
I told the blonde as I took my chair from her.

"As you wish," she snapped and then quickly turned on her heels and left the room.

"Oh, dear, sorry about Simone, I'm not sure why Patrick hasn't fired her yet. She usually isn't this rude, though," Nora stated as I took my seat.

"That's because she knows Patrick has his sights set on our Christi, Ma," Paige stated.
“
Caleb told me he kissed your forehead the other night at the bar. Word travels fast for such a big town.
”
Paige added

"Like that would change anything when it comes to Patrick, you know as well as I do he doesn't cross those lines." Allyson spoke her voice serious.

"Wait...Patrick owns this place, too?
”

All three ladies looked directly at me, and then began to giggle.

"Yes, Christi, Patrick owns a lot of restaurants, bars, and hotels here in Chicago," Paige informed me.

"Christi, please say you'll forgive my scheming from last night," Nora voiced, changing the subject completely.

I smiled at her. I knew she only meant well and I highly doubted she had ever been told no a day in her life.

"There's nothing to forgive, I assure you."

"So, my son tells me you've given him some homework, so to speak."

"I'm sorry?" I questioned, completely taken off guard.

"Don't worry; I think its good for him to work for something. Your father was right in giving you the choice and not just handing your hand over to him. You're exactly what he needs, Christi. You have a good head on those pretty shoulders of yours, and good for you for not just falling down at his feet. He needs to work hard at something once in a while."

I was astonished at Nora's words. She thought I was playing some game with Patrick, for what I wasn't certain.

"Nora, I feel the need to clarify some things with you. I didn't agree to a relationship with your son not because I'm playing a game of sorts with him, but I honestly feel there's someone else more suited to his needs out there than me. I truly want nothing from him."

"Told you," Allyson interjected.

"Oh, I agree, Allyson, she's perfect." Nora took a sip from her tea cup and then addressed me again.

"You're exactly what Patrick needs. He's always gotten everything handed to him, ever since he was in short pants. For the first time in his life I believe, he has to work at getting what he wants. Now, my question to you is
...
are you ready for tropical storm Patrick?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't follow you, what storm?"

All three ladies began looking at each other and laughing. Paige spoke first.

"How many gifts have you gotten today?"

"Three."

"Only three? He really isn't taking this seriously, is he?"

Paige had barely spoken the words, when the waiter brought a plate of food and set it down in front of me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't order this," I said to him.

"No, Ma'am, Mr. Malloy gave instructions to serve this to you with his compliments."

I looked at the plate that now sat in front of me. It was a huge, thick-cut steak with the bone resting on one side. It looked incredible and smelled heavenly. I wanted nothing more than to dive into that steak.

"Sir, could you remove this and then bring me a Caesar salad, please?"

He looked at me bewildered and then took the plate away. "My pleasure, Madam."

"You do realize you just sent back the house steak that's dry aged three months and costs over two hundred dollars?" Nora questioned me.

"I didn't want steak for lunch, I wanted a salad. He can't make me eat something I don't want."

"Oh, my sweet lass, you're more perfect than I thought. I would however, like to have tea with you this week. I have some things I would like to discuss with you."

I wanted to simply tell Nora that she might as well tell me what she needed to here and now, something told me that not only was this family strong, but there were no secrets to be found inside the inner circle.

My suspicions were correct when I did finally make it to the pharmacy; my purchases had already been paid for, including Shannon's birth control . I made the two-block walk back to the office to find the black sedan was parked across the street. This time I felt bold and waved to the driver.

Once inside, I tossed the bag into a chair and proceeded to finish my work. It had been nearly two hours since I'd had any deliveries and I began to think he had finally given up. I was certain Nora or one of the girls had phoned him and told him I had sent back his food, and even worse, that I had paid for my own lunch and gave the waiter a tip.

I still hadn't opened the first gift he had given me this morning and honestly, I didn't feel as if I should. I was going to return them to him. It was only fair that if I didn't plan to have a relationship with him that they should go to someone who would.

Charlotte came bouncing in and sat on the corner of my desk. "You have very large balls, my love."

"What?"

"Returning a gift from Patrick Malloy; that, my dear, is ballsy."

I closed my eyes and tossed my head back into the headrest. I was so tired of this.

"Charlotte, I'm returning everything. It isn't right to keep any of it."

Charlotte then handed me a robin's egg blue box; the box that needed no introduction. "What the hell...when did that show up?"

"Does it matter? It's from Tiffany's! Why not take it for a test drive?"

I just rolled my eyes, shaking my head. This was just too much. Next he would be sending me a diamond-studded pistol with a matching leather combination holster and garter belt.

The box sat on my desk, taunting me, teasing me. I wanted so badly to pull those white ribbons off and tear into that blue box, but I couldn't. I would return both boxes and enough money to cover all the purchases he'd made today. He clearly didn't get me. I wasn't someone who could be bribed with bobbles and shiny objects. I needed to see real tangible proof that he wanted to be with me. Patrick Malloy was obviously not the guy for me.

Tossing the blue box into my purse, I headed to the one place I knew he would be. Ignoring the black sedan that was still parked across the street, I jumped into my car and then drove to the club. I had what I would say to him all planned out. I would be polite, yet firm. As I turned the corner and parked my car in the parking lot, I made certain my pepper spray was still in my purse.

Once inside, I noticed the same two men standing behind the bar. They noticed me instantly, and the taller of the two came around to stand in front of me.

"Ms. O
’
Rourke, why are you here?"

"I need to see Patrick
,
" I went to walk by, but he quickly stepped in my way.

"Boss isn't here, Ms. O
’
Rourke, he said you knew."

"Knew what?"

"He works out of his condo now. He moved his whole office over there."

The gold card...the note...shit, shit, shit!

"Thank you." I turned and began to walk out.

"Oh no, Ms. O
’
Rourke, let me walk you out. This neighborhood isn't safe for a lady such as yourself."

I made it back home to find Shannon and Abigail having a tea party. I loved how simple things were in our house.

"Auntie Christi!" Abigail called out.

I smiled as I crossed the room and joined them. Shannon had a mischievous smile on her face.

"Abby, honey, why don't you go get a cup for Auntie Christi"

"Yeah!" she shouted as she hurried off to her bedroom.

"Can I see what he gave you?"

I rolled my eyes and handed her my purse. Shannon found the two boxes and took them out.

"Christi, you haven't even opened them yet!
”

I then turned to look at her and reached for my purse.

"I'm giving them back so what's the point?"

"Quit being a stuck-up bitch, Christi."

One thing about my sister was she always spoke her mind. Not always at the most opportune time, mind you.

"Just open the fucking boxes."

She placed the two boxes in my lap and waited. I would have waited all night except that I knew my sister would wait right along with me. She was more stubborn than I could ever be. I took the long black box first and slowly removed the green ribbon. Resting inside was the most beautiful tennis bracelet I had ever seen.

"It's just like mine," Shannon spoke as she showed me the same bracelet that wrapped around her right wrist.
“
It's a tradition in the Malloy family to give one to the woman you're dating. Dillion gave me mine after our second date. I'm surprised you haven't noticed the Malloy ladies wearing theirs. Although I'm jealous, as yours has a little bigger diamonds than mine."

Shannon was right; the diamonds were slightly bigger. Finally, I opened the Tiffany's box.

"Do you know what this is?" I questioned holding the box up.

“I have my suspicions, but no, I'm not certain."

Resting inside the box was a shamrock pendant. The leaves were emeralds and the stem was made of platinum, the chain was also made of platinum. I gasped as I touched the green stones.

"Oh, my God. Christi, that's breathtaking.”

“Do you know why he gave me this?”

“No clue, you should ask him."

Shannon was right; I did want to know why he felt the need to give me these particular pieces of jewelry. The bracelet was so beautiful and a huge part of me wanted to keep it, but that wouldn't be right. It was still early and I decided that if I was going to give them back, I should just do it.

The drive to his condo went quicker than I had hoped. All the courage I'd had when I
’
d gone to the club was long since gone. I shouldn't have opened the damn boxes.

I slid my card into the slot as I had seen Patrick do and the elevator sprang to life. I remembered that there wasn't an additional door once the elevator opened and I hoped I wasn't interrupting anything.

The door opened to reveal a very handsome Patrick Malloy standing there waiting. I couldn't help but smile at him as he greeted me.

"Hello, beautiful," he smiled and then quickly kissed my cheek. "Have you had dinner yet?"

"No, not yet. Um, I actually just came to return these." I said as I held the two boxes out to him.

"Come, sit with me, Christi, have dinner and let's talk."

He didn't give me an opportunity to argue as he led me to the kitchen. There were already two place settings on the bar with glasses of wine at each. Patrick pulled out my chair and motioned for me to sit.