Page 2 of Possessing Paisley
It’s not the first time I’ve asked Chloe this question, but I don’t want to intrude on them. Not that it was my idea to do all of this. I would have stayed at our crappy townhouse and probably gotten another roommate. It would have sucked hairy balls, though, because no one can fill Chloe’s shoes in my life.
“Yes. I absolutely want you here. So does Bash. Especially with everything that’s going on. It’s safer. Besides, all the rooms are soundproofed, so it’s not like you’re going to hear us fucking.”
By here, she means the enormous estate where I’m about to live.Closed in by steel gates and stone walls, yet surprisingly, it doesn’t feel like a prison. I don’t know how many acres it is, but there’s a huge mansion plus six other enormous houses within the walls of the property. And all of it belongs to the Irish mafia.
One look at the estate, and I couldn’t turn her down. It’s stunning. Every inch of the land is pristinely manicured. Gardens spread out all over the place. I don’t think the groundskeepers allow a single blade of grass to get out of place. It’s like a park—but the kind in movies because it’s so perfect.
It's kind of like I’m living in one of the books I like to read. Well, without all the smut. Because nothing exciting is going on between my legs, that’s for sure. It’s a fucking snooze-fest down there. But a single girl living with the Irish mob? Yeah, total book shit. Grady and Ronan seem nice, but there hasn’t been any kind of spark with either of them, so I’m not holding my breath that my story will end up as a happily ever after.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about all this mobster stuff when Chloe first told me that her brother and Bash were part of the mafia. I didn’t think there was even such a thing anymore. But so far, every one of these Irishmen that I’ve met has been nothing but protective and kind. Well, all but one. And he’s stomping down the stairs with nothing but irritation on his face.
I don’t know why he’s here helping if it’s such an inconvenience to him. Part of me wants to ask, but I do have some sense of self-preservation. I like poking the bear, but it seems like a smart move to pick and choose when to poke Kieran.
Grady and Bash follow him down, looking much more relaxed. Grady smiles at me, his green eyes sparkling in the bright light of the foyer. “We have one more truckload on the way and then that’s it. You sure you girls got everything you wanted from your old place?”
“Yep. Thank you, Grady. You guys didn’t have to do all of this,” I reply.
Bash hooks his arm around Chloe’s waist and drags her away, giggling, leaving me alone with Kieran and Grady.
“We take care of our own, lass, and like it or not, you’re part of this family now.” Grady winks at me. Man, he’s hot. Definitely diddle material. And yet, I feel absolutely nothing toward him. What the hell is wrong with me?
A lot.
I shoot the man a smile, then glance at Kieran. He’s scowling as usual, and when our eyes meet, he narrows his and lets out a grunt, then practically stomps away.
Chuckling, Grady shakes his head. “Don’t worry about him, lass. He likely needs to eat, have a drink, or fuck. Maybe all three. It’s hard to tell, really. You’ll get used to his moods.”
My mouth falls open. Well…okay, then.What have I gotten myself into? I think I might be in way over my head with these men.
1
KIERAN
“What are you girls doing?”
Chloe looks up from the stack of papers before her, pride shining in her eyes. “Hey. We’re working on the makeup line. What are you doing?”
Leaning down, I press a kiss to the top of my sister’s head. I can’t get over how damn happy I am that she’s living here now. “Was taking a call and saw the light on. You’ve been working every night the past few weeks.”
Cali and Scarlet get up from their seats and practically tackle me for a hug. Paisley is nowhere to be seen, though. That’s a relief, but it’s also irritating. Where would she be? She needs to be home and in bed, but I doubt that’s the case. It’s also none of my fucking business, so why am I wondering?
“We’re close to finishing our first palette, and our website launches in a few days so we’re doing all the last-minute things to make sure it’s perfect. We’re also planning an influencer party,” Chloe says.
I stare down at my sister, warmth filling my chest. Until recently, we hadn’t been as close as I would have liked, but that’s all changing. I’m so damn proud of her. All of them, honestly.Cali, Scarlet, Chloe, and Paisley are starting a luxury makeup brand. It’s been Chloe’s dream for a long time.
“It’s going to be perfect. I’m proud of all of you.”
“Sorry I’m late. Today was hectic. I didn’t even have time for lunch. But I landed the third biggest account in the history of the company so it’s totally worth it. I rushed over here as soon as I could.” Paisley scurries into the dining room, a purse big enough to fit a baby cow inside hanging off her shoulder.
She looks tired. Based on the time she left this morning, she’s been at work for over fourteen straight hours. With no lunch? Goddamn it.
“No worries,” Chloe says, smiling up at her. “You’ve been working a lot lately.”
Yeah, way too much for my liking. Not that it’s any of my business. But if she were mine, I would not allow that shit to happen.
Jesus. I have no right to be thinking bullshit like that.
“Yeah. I’ve been trying to close this deal, and there’s a promotion opportunity coming for one adviser to move up to work directly under the CEO, so I’m trying to show that I would be perfect for the job.”