Chapter 10: The Irish

*Kennedy*

Over the month I had accomplished more for the Massi's than their whole IT security team had in a year. At least that was what Tony had told me. I was sure he was exaggerating until he handed me a five-thousand-dollar bonus check in addition to my very large paycheck. I had never seen so much money in one place.

Lucas had made a point to spend as much time with me while at work as possible. He would bring his laptop into my office, stretch out on the couch with Linguine sleeping at his feet, and peppered me with questions in between answering emails and phone calls. I happily responded while I monitored the systems and employees, asking just as many as I was receiving. The bond was growing into something that was tangible and the mysterious physical attraction I had was even more persistent, almost overwhelming at points. My body was in need of a break from him, which was why I was happy to be working at Tia's this weekend.

The busy season was in full swing, bringing in summer vacationers getting a glimpse of our haunted city, which meant that tour groups came to the local voodoo shop to get an authentic New Orleans experience. Tia had made arrangements with the tour companies to have her staff tell the visitors about local legends and voodoo curses.

The store was about to close, and I had a large tour ready to listen to me send them back into a time where voodoo and witchcraft was at its height. I traded out my usual work apron for a full robe with a hood. I had a wooden staff and plastic skull in my hands to add to the effect. It wasn't necessary but it brought in more tips. I was about to begin when the bell on the front door chimed and the chatter that was going on went silent. The muscular chest that I had now become accustomed to and obsessed with, emerged into my view. The black t-shirt he was wearing provided a clear landscape of the muscles that were underneath. Perfectly fitted jeans rested at his hips, sculpting impeccably formed thighs, the sex appeal that he projected made every inch of my body flush.

"What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.

"I needed you," His throat bobbed, leaving those three words hanging. My hands clammed up and chest constricted, waiting on bated breath for his next words. Lucas swallowed deeply, "to help with something for work. I was going to call you, but this is so much better."

"If you tell anyone, I will quit." I wasn't joking, the last thing I needed was Titus giving me a hard time about my costume.

He made the motion of zipping his lips. He was enjoying this way too much. I gathered my tour group in a circle and began my story about Marie Laveau. I was too embarrassed to look at Lucas, shrouding my face under the deep hood of my robe. Only about half the people were listening to me anyway, they were too busy gawking at Lucas. After knowing him for a month, I had forgotten that he was a bit of a celebrity. One girl even removed herself from the circle and asked for an autograph. He graciously complied, but never took his eyes off me. He patiently waited for me after I answered any questions, let people shop around, and then usher them out and locked up behind them.

"That was actually entertaining." He said while I was counting the cash register.

"You say that like you are surprised," I retorted back.

I could see he was trying to find the right ones to get him out of the hole he just dug himself into, "I mean, you don't seem like the kind of person that likes speaking to large groups."

"I don't, but I have done this for a long time, so I am comfortable with it. I also get good tips," waving a stack of cash at him, "Let me grab my stuff and change out of this, and we can go."

"Wish you wouldn't, the robe is really doing something for me," he taunted.

I glared at him as I walked back to the stockroom. I removed the robe, wearing my favorite sundress underneath. My chest was out more than I would have liked for a professional setting, but I didn't bring a change of clothes. Lucas was the last person I expected to see today. My body was in need of a break from all the tension that his closeness brought, but I was excited to see him on a day that I normally wouldn't. I had a serious problem, and I needed to figure out a way to work with him and not lust after him every second of the day.

***

*Lucas*

I didn't know what drove me in here tonight. I was around the area, on patrol with Titus. The sheriff had received reports of the Irish pack between Bourbon and Frenchmen Street. The Irish's push into our territory was increasingly becoming more of a problem. The fact that they were spotted in the tourist parts was an issue. If they established any standing in the community it would be harder to push them out. This was my city, I had control over what happened, and I was never going to give that up. Titus, myself, and Sheriff Ricci had taken turns on patrol but we hadn't come across any issues. Either the reports were wrong, or the Irish knew where and when to hide.

I had told Titus to go home after being out all day, he decided to go to Kennedy and Hannah's to watch over Hannah while Kennedy was at work. I wasn't sure how much time he had spent over there in the month that Kennedy came into our lives, but I knew it was at least a few times a week.

I had stayed out walking back and forth in front of the shop, questioning whether I should go in or not. I was usually more confident than this, I went after what I wanted, but when it came to Kennedy, I was always second guessing myself. The moment I saw her in a dingy oversized robe, holding a plastic skull through the windows, I had to see what she was doing.

Kennedy came around the corner from the stock room and my mouth dried up. She was wearing a green sundress with little white flowers, the soft light material flowed right above her knees, and rested perfectly around her curvy body, hugging in the right place. I tried not to look at her breasts, but they were the focal point of a beautiful masterpiece.

"Christ." I called out, not meaning for her to hear me.

Her cheeks flushed a pretty pink, "Sorry this dress isn't really business attire. I hope we aren't meeting clients."

"Clients?" I questioned, every thought in my head had vanished. That dress flooded my memories with my mother.

She smoothed her hands over the material, "I can run home and change, I don't live that far from here."

"Don't you dare." I insisted, "You ready? I have a spot for dinner." I cleared my throat.

I followed her out in the crowd of people. All eyes were on her as we walked, the wolf in me flared to life wanting to shield her from all the onlookers. Placing my hand on the small of her back, claiming what was mine, I directed her off the main road, down several blocks. We were both silent all the way to the restaurant, where we were immediately seated at a table for two. The perks of being a Massi were worth the hassle sometimes.

"Are we not meeting anyone?" She asked, taking the menu from the waiter.

"No, it's just us. Is that a problem?"

"Is this a date?" She asked with skepticism.

I didn't know how to answer that, I wasn't intending it to be a date, not even when I called to make the reservations while she was closing out the store, but the thought of going on a date with her was something I had been thinking about since the first day we met.

"Everyone is staring at you." She leaned across the table and whispered, quickly bypassing the date question.

Her cleavage was spilling out the top of her dress, and it took all my strength to look her in the eyes. "I am pretty sure they are staring at you."

She snorted, "Yeah only because I am with you. I guess I'll have to get used to it now that you're my boss." She emphasized the word boss, knowing it would annoy me.

Hair stood up on the back of my neck, my wolf telling me that there was something amiss. I surveyed the room to see why my senses were warning me. Seated in the corner behind Kennedy was the oldest Taylor son, Gavin, he had scurried off during our fight last month and had yet to be found. He was surrounded by three other men, all glowering at me, making their presence known. I knew one of them as Taran O'Niell. The squat red headed man was quickly becoming a pain in my ass. I had driven him out of New Orleans more times than I could count. Each time I wasn't able to get close enough to cause him physical harm, he ran back to Arkansas to the Irish headquarters in the Midwest territory before I could catch him.

The man sitting next to him looked like an enforcer, his shoulders, arms, and chest, piled high with muscle. The other to his right, was clearly money, dressed in a well-tailored suit that I knew was expensive. It was no coincidence that we were here at the same time, someone working in the restaurant must have tipped them off. My name spreads like wildfire when restaurants know I will be eating at them. I was hoping that they would be smart enough to not make a move in such a public place, but when the Muscle stood up and flexed his arms across his chest, I knew I wouldn't be so lucky.

My number one priority was to protect Kennedy, I would burn this whole city down if someone harmed her. I texted Titus to let him know the situation, but Kennedy and I wouldn't be able to get away before he got here.

I closed the distance between Kennedy and spoke in hushed tones, "Listen Kennedy, I need you to get up from the table and leave the restaurant. You need to run home and don't stop for anyone. When you get home, lock the door and wait for me or Titus."

Her back went rigid, "Lucas what is going on?"

"I don't have time to explain, but long story short, when you have our kind of money you also have enemies." I couldn't tell her the truth and I hated that my lie came out so naturally.

"Are they going to hurt you?" She questioned with concern.

"They will try." I told her honestly.

"Then I am not leaving you." Her bravery was admirable, but she had no idea that these men weren't human and could injure her to the point of death.

"Kennedy, I don't have time to argue, please listen to me, run and get Titus." Raising my voice slightly, so she would understand the seriousness of this.

"No." she said simply and defiantly.

All four men stood before I got the chance to disagree, we were out of time. "Move." I said through gritted teeth.