Thy Kingdom Come

But I’m always faced with a black mass that won’t shift. Holes in my memory? Or my brain’s way of self-preservation? I don’t know.

“Fuck!” I curse, angered that this has failed.

Opening my eyes, I replace the photograph and put everything back where I found it, so as not to alert my dad that I’ve been snooping. As I go to close the drawer, something falls behind it, preventing it from closing all the way.

Angling my head to the side to see if I can uncover why it’s jammed, I notice a piece of paper stuck behind the drawer. This is new.

Without delay, I pull the drawer out completely and reach for the folded piece of paper. When I unfold it, all I see is an address. It’s in Dublin.

My heart doesn’t usually race, nor does my breathing accelerate, even when I’ve beaten someone within an inch of their lives. I usually operate on a monotone, but that changes when I see this piece of information because it may be the key to where I need to start.

Reaching into my pocket, I use my phone to take a picture of the address. Cian does the same. Always have a backup. Not sure where this piece of paper was stacked in this drawer, I place it between two folders and hope for the best.

“Let’s go,” Cian anxiously says, knowing if my dad catches us in here, it’ll be hell for us both.

Ensuring everything is where we found it, I slowly open the door and take a juke down the hallway. When it’s clear, I step out, and Cian follows. I lock the door, and we dander, not wanting to alert anyone to our snooping.

We turn the corner and bump into Uncle Sean. “What ’bout ye?”

“Beezer,” I reply, but my injuries contradict my aloof reply.

Uncle Sean grips my chin, turning my face to look at the damage. “Why do ya provoke him, cub?”

Uncle Sean’s touch is the only one I can stomach—only just. “The aul’ lad is such a dick. I can’t believe yer his kin.”

Uncle Sean sighs, letting me go. “Aye, sometimes I wonder that myself. Since yer ma—” But he soon pauses, stopping himself from sharing the Kelly secrets.

I don’t bother asking him to continue because I know he won’t, which is why as soon as this naff tea is done tonight, I’m going to Dublin.

“Yer so much like him. Yer both so bleedin’ stubborn.”

“Please don’t insult me, Uncle Sean,” I sternly say. “I’m nothin’ like that bastard.”

Uncle Sean knows better than to argue. “That’s the truth, so it is. Have fun tonight,” he quips, knowing how opposed to the idea I am. “Make sure yer not ru

He gives us one final look before we part ways, and I’m onto the next state of affairs for the day.

When we’re out of earshot, Cian exhales in relief. But the fun is only just begi

“Ya didn’t tell me the wee ride’s name.”

A mix of emotions come over me when I think about her. Even though I am rippin’ that she stole from me, a small, insane part is actually impressed she was able to nick from me in the first place. I haven’t been caught unaware in a long time.

But regardless of that, she’s going to pay for taking something that isn’t hers.

Only when we’re in my car do I reply, “Babydoll,” before turning up the radio.

“Oh, fuck,” Cian groans, shaking his head as he fastens his seat belt, knowing this is about to get bumpy.

As I’m knotting my black tie in the bathroom mirror, I scoff, hating everything about tonight. My face looks a mess, and no matter that I’m sporting a pressed white shirt and tie, it doesn’t deter from the black and blue mess my face is.

My tie is loosely knotted, and two buttons are left undone on my shirt. My dad is not going to be happy that I replaced my black trousers with ripped black jeans and black combat boots, but he’s lucky I’m going at all.

My mood is foul because Cian and I didn’t find anything on Babydoll. We went back to where I last saw her but came up empty. In the daylight, it was even more isolated than it looked at night. There wasn’t a house for miles, which has me wondering, just what was she doing out there?

I haven’t given up, however.

I will find her. I just need to figure out how.

My hair is a tousled mess with the longer blond strands flicked to the left to cover the bruises around my eye.

Once I’m ready, I grab everything I need and jump into my Jeep. I’m not riding with Da as I don’t plan on staying long. The moment this tea is over with, I plan on making an excuse to leave. It’ll take about an hour and a half to get to Dublin, so I have no time to waste.

The drive to the Duffys’ is quite peaceful. Filled with lush greenery and old homes, I appreciate how “fortunate” I am to bear the Kelly name at times. I’ve never had to worry about money, and my house, which was once a castle, is the envy of many.

I begin to wonder what Dublin will be like. The unknown excites me. I know I have to be careful, as even our lingo differs, so it won’t be hard to spot the odd man out. I need to blend in.

When the Duffys’ mansion comes into view, I put all thoughts on hold because I need to get through this fucking tea first. Parking my Jeep, I send Cian and Rory a quick text, telling them to be ready for my call. I can only hope tonight is over with soon.

I don’t even have a chance to ring the doorbell before the door opens, and I’m greeted by a butler. “Can I take your—” He peers at my clothes and just smiles uncomfortably instead.

Entering the grand foyer and whistling an a

At a guess, I’d say he wants in on his business.

Patrick’s construction company is very valuable to my da, and not just financially. To have access to abandoned buildings and neighborhoods where Dad can run his operations would benefit him immensely, especially now that he’s unsure if Chief Constable Moore will turn a blind eye to the Kellys illegal dealings.

My dad’s most effective means of drug transportation has been concealing ca

If he can’t be trusted with his religious beliefs, how can he be trusted with transporting over 600 kilos of ca

Uncle Sean and Dad take care of the logistics while I deal with anyone who dares to defy them. There are a few, but the Kelly name is notorious in Northern Ireland. So most know better than to challenge a Kelly.

I enter the living room, and the moment Patrick sees me, his eyes widen. “What happened?”

Dad speaks for me before I can. “Karate. The wee lad forgot to dodge,” he playfully says. This is believable because I am a black belt, and it could be assumed someone got in a lucky shot. But because of my reputation, Patrick will probably guess I got into a fight, but he’d never anticipate with who.

“Ack, yer poor critter.”

Dad looks at me, hinting I’m to play along with his wee fairy tale, so I merely nod.

“Darcy and my wife are still getting ready. Can I get you a drink?”

I shake my head. “Naw, I’m all right.”

My dad is sulking for whatever reason, but that reason can wait because something strange happens. I don’t know how to explain it, other than that bubble of excitement that wells in yer stomach before a fight—that’s what I feel.