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Chapter 4

Ailee

I have always been my grandfather's princess. I just didn’t realize the full extent of it until after I turned eighteen. Then I started getting groomed to take over for grandfather. It is unsual for a woman to take over but I'm guessing not unheard of since it is being done. That is when I got to see the darker side of things. Things I probably always knew were there but I just chose to ignore them. Like seeing Callen kill someone right in front of me when the guy tried to kidnap me from school. He was going to try to use me against my grandfather to get him to step down. Or like the fact that my family ran guns and dealt with some illegal drugs. The list of things the O’Sullivan name is linked to is quite long. There is one thing I’m proud to say we don’t involve ourselves in and that is trafficking of people. As a matter of fact we work to stop groups who are doing it. That was my first kill. I took out a man that was selling childeren as sex slaves. That’s right, I'm a trained killer. I have tortured the worse scum in the country without blinking. That’s why I’m called the ice queen. When I need to get information I turn to ice. Nothing gets to me. I will take out any one who peddles is sex slavery.Especially involving children. I don’t regret it either. And I will do it again. I’m proud of it.

I had been so lost in thought about my life and Mr. Ripley I hadn't noticed we had arrived. Callen escorted me inside while my driver Finn parked. I flop on the couch, suddenly very tired. Unfortunately I tire easily these days. Callen goes to the kitchen to get my evening meds ready. You think I would be used to these things by now but I still hate taking pills. I don’t like how they make me feel. I always like to keep a clear head.

When Callen comes to me he sets a large glass of orange juice down on the coffee table then holds out his hand. I grab my juice and the first of five pills. Just as I swallow the first one Callen says " You had a lot going on in your head on the way here. Want to talk about it?" I swallow the second pill before I answer. " I don't know what to say. I don't know what I was expecting. Something. More maybe.He seemed like he wanted more. Like he believed me. Then that woman came. Maybe grandfather was right and we should just keep looking." " You don't think he will help?" I sigh "I am usually pretty good at reading people. But with him I don't have the first clue." I take pill four and lean my head back. " You were hoping for something more than his marrow weren't you?"

I take the last pill, the biggest one and chug the rest of my juice to get it down. I look at Callen `` Is it wrong of me to want to know the man? I mean other than the stories ma told me. Or maybe that he might want to know me. Just a little." Callen doesn't answer, just sits next to me and puts his arm around putting my head on his shoulder. " There is nothing wrong with wanting to know your da. I just don't want you to get your hopes up. If he will donate that may have to be enough for you. If he doesn't want to get to know the wonderful person that you are. Then it is his loss." I snuggle closer to Callen. He has been my support, the person I confide in, or cry on his shoulder when I need it. He and Finn see a side of me I don’t show to other people. Basically I let the ice melt when it is just us." You are right. I have plenty of family. I don't need him if he doesn't want me. I made my peace a long time ago about him. I shouldn't let it bother me now."

He kisses the top of my head and gets up." That's my girl. Let's have a bite then you need to get some rest. First day of treatment tomorrow." I hate this. I don’t want to do chemo again. It was hard enough the first time when I was in my teens. At least I had my ma with me. But she has been gone for twelve years now. I know my grandda will be here for me and I have Callen and Finn so I’m not completely alone. I’m the heiress to the O’ Sullivan empire. I’m known to have a heart of ice to those who don’t know me very well. I need it that way. But to those select few I can let my emotions show. And right now they know I’m scared.

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