Say You Love Me

Say You Love Me - Chapter 14

I knew I wouldn't be so lucky.
Today had gone perfectly until I pulled in front of Brenda's house to drop Stephanie off. Her truck was parked in the driveway and she was sitting on the porch smoking a cigarette.

"You sure she won't do anything?" Steph asked me.

"No she won't. I'll walk you to the door," I got out of the truck and took her bag with me. Steph took my hand as we walked towards the front door.

"Thank you for letting me go with you today," she said with a hug.

"No problem Kid, anytime you want," I handed her the bag. She walked up to Brenda before she said anything.

"Are you alright Stephanie?" Brenda asked with a serious face.

"Yes, I had so much fun. I just didn't want to be alone today. Please don't be mad at Shay. I just didn't want to be alone today."

"I understand that. Go inside and get ready for bed. I need to talk to your sister and then I'll be there in a minute," Steph turned around and headed inside.

"Where did you take her?" she asked as soon as the door was closed.

"Thanksgiving dinner at Gemma's. I was invited and when she called me crying saying that you were leaving her alone on yet another holiday, I figured it would be best if she came with me."

"Was Jackson there?"

"Does it matter?"

"Does it ma...does it matter!? Of course it matters! They are dangerous!"

"YOU don't even know him!"

"I know all about him and what he does! How he does it and how he gets the shit to do what he does! Your father knew all about that!"

"What does dad have to do with any of this?!" I asked honestly confused.

"Everything. Your father has everything to do with this and the reason I don't want you or Stephanie around that club."

"You need to tell me what the hell you're talking about. You can't just give me an ultimatum and expect me to do what you want or see your point of view in all of this, if you aren't even going to tell me the truth!"

She took a deep breath and looked toward the door making sure it was closed all the way.

"What I am about to tell you can not get back to Stephanie. Do you understand? It will confuse her and she will probably seek him out and I don't want her to have this conversation with him. All he will do is make excuse after excuse like he did with me for years and I'm not going to allow that to happen with Stephanie. I will talk to her eventually but not right now. I never even wanted either one of you to know any of this but for her own sake...she doesn't hear any of this right now, understand?"

"You lost the right to tell me what I can and cannot tell MY SISTER when you punched me in the face and told me to stay away from her. I'll decide what I will or will not tell Steph."
She's not manipulating me any more.

"Fine, but you'll end up agreeing with me anyway."

"Whatever! Now what's going on?"

"Your father...is a dirty cop, Shay."

"Dirty how?"

"Dirty like he helps the IRA smuggle Russian made guns into the United States and gets a cut for it that's how." My mouth dropped.

"You can't be serious?!" I told her. That doesn't make any sense.

"Yes I am serious. He's been dirty for years! I found out what he was doing when I was pregnant with you. You ever wonder how come you and Stephanie both have my last name, and my last name alone instead of your fathers? I took his last name when we were first married but I had it changed before you were born and never told him." I just stood there with my mouth just and listened, as my face got even paler. Brian O'Downey...Shay and Stephanie O'Downey... well that's just a dead Irish giveaway.