Cillian: Stone Warriors, #3

By Chris Redding

Protect the vulnerable.

When motivational speaker, Meg, drops her boyfriend's car off to be restored, the head mechanic, Cillian, figures out that the car has been outfitted for drug smuggling. This launches them into a race to take down a New Jersey drug cartel. He can keep her safe, but can he keep his heart safe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Redding
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201581633

Chris Redding

Chris discovered at age ten she had a knack for storytelling. Ever since, she has wanted to be a published author. She was born and raised on Pennsylvania, holds a BA in Journalism from Penn State and is an established author of novels, novellas, shorts stories, newspaper articles and ghost-written books.  She has published mainly fiction, with a specialty in paranormal romance, but has written about contemporary romance, romantic suspense and cozy mystery for herself and for others.  She is actively involved in the professional writing community, and conducts workshops to help other writers. She lives in New Jersey with her family and animals. Writing is her passion and when she isn't writing, she practices yoga and runs.  Get her Newsletter and keep up with what is happening.  Go to www.chrisreddingauthor.com/contact.  Happy reading!

Book preview

Chapter One

It was time to check in.

As Head Mechanic at Hunterdon Customs, a restoration shop in Hunterdon County New Jersey, Cillian Callahan liked to check the progress of every project every day. Even if he wasn’t personally working on it, he felt that it was part of his duties to make sure things were on track. If they weren’t, he gave Gideon, their accountant and office manager, a heads-up so he could tell the customer.

It was a ritual Cillian did at the end of every work day. It soothed him so he could leave the shop behind and go home. When he was done, he would take advantage of the dark night and let his gargoyle loose to fly around.

The first project he stopped at was for a McClaren Coupe. One of the originals and an exotic which Cillian was trying to get Hunterdon Customs to branch out into. There was money to be made in exotics. This was their first one and Gideon had done some amazing tap dancing to get the customer to leave the car here.

Catch me up, he said to Finn who was just rolling the car out of the paint booth.

Finn wiped his hands. The paint just needs to dry and then it goes back to mechanical for the engine. You’ll have to ask them what’s next.

Paint looks great, he said as he headed to the next project. Finn had chosen a metallic red reminiscent of a candy apple coating.

He walked around the 1969 Chevelle with blue paint and a large white stripe down the middle. It had been a wreck of mouse nests and rust when it rolled into the shop. The mechanics must have gone home already, but as far as Cillian could tell they were on schedule.

He didn’t like to be late. Some car enthusiasts were loath to leave their car restoration to a motorcycle club let alone one that was full of ex-cons. Everyone here had paid their debt to society and all had pledged not to commit crimes again. Including Cillian and he took that vow seriously.

If Hunterdon Customs could continue to improve their reputation, they might get jobs from all over the country. Just like the guys on that television channel, Velocity. He didn’t need the place to be television famous, just to have a good reputation in the industry.

The next two projects were going out for delivery tomorrow and first thing the cars would get a final wash and dry so they sparkled. Cillian did a circuit around them once and liked what he saw. These guys were professionals. They all knew this was their last chance to go straight and most of them took it seriously.

Even if they’d never worked on a car before, they learned and did the best job they could. That’s why Hunterdon Customs should be on the map. They were a blueprint for successful rehabilitation of humans and cars.

Cillian smiled at the comparison.

He entered the office where Gideon was just turning off his computer. Still here?

Just checking on the projects.

They shook hands. It’s good to have you aboard, Cillian. You’ve been doing a great job.

A car pulled into the driveway, tires whirring on the blacktop. Cillian and Gideon looked at each other. Someone forgot to close the gate.

I’ll deal with it, Gideon said.

I’ll stick around.

They looked out the window as a woman disembarked from a 1965 Mustang. His mouth fell open.

You admiring the woman or the car? Gideon asked.

Either.

The car was sky blue, an original color. He couldn’t see the interior from this angle, but he could see the woman. She had the darkest hair he’d ever seen and it shone in the evening sun. His mouth went dry. He loved dark-haired women, but he wasn’t in the market. He had a few things to accomplish before he settled down. Plus, he had a crazy ex that he hadn’t fully extricated himself from.

She is a looker, even for someone who’s happily married like I am.

The car isn’t too bad either.

Shall we talk to her instead of staring? Gideon asked.

The woman had stepped out of the car and looked around the place. She took off her sunglasses and perched them on top of her head. Cillian examined the car as much as he examined her.

Convertible top needs some work.

I could just tell her we’re closed.

No, that ‘stang would be a good feather in our cap. That could open us up to more vintage Mustangs. There are a ton of them out there, Cillian said.

I thought you were into exotics?

I am, but Mustangs pay the bills, too.

I’ll close the gate when she’s gone, Gideon said.

No worries. I’ll do it. When we’re done talking with her you can go.

I’m sure it’ll be a hardship, Gideon said, punching Cillian in the shoulder.

The two men stepped outside and the woman turned to them. The usual reaction from a woman was fear, but if this woman was feeling it, she wasn’t letting on that she was. She didn’t step away instead she gave them a huge smile. Hi, I’m Meg O’Rourke. I’ve heard great things about you guys.

Thanks. I’m Gideon and this is Cillian.

She shook their hands and Cillian was speechless. Her eyes were the color of emeralds and he could get lost in them. He shook himself. Nice to meet you.

There was no need to have her creeped out by him staring at her. He wished for sunglasses because his gaze kept going back to her. What can we do for you?

She motioned to the car she’d climbed out of. I want to restore this car. Factory original preferred.

You’ve come to the right place. We’ll have to look it over. Do you have time now?

Yes. I can wait.

We’ll do an initial assessment and give you a ballpark figure right now. A full workup would take a day.

Is this your car? Cillian asked. His gargoyle inside of him awakened, but he tamped it down.

She glanced at him. No, this is a surprise for my boyfriend.

***

Meg hoped Cillian didn’t play poker because what he was thinking was written all over his face. She wanted to laugh because she was flattered that he was disappointed that she had a boyfriend.

When they'd stepped out of the office, she’d been tempted to drive away, but she’d heard that this place was the best in New Jersey to get a car restored so she chanced it.

Have I heard of you? Gideon asked.

I’m a motivational speaker so you might have.

The two men exchange a glance. Maybe that’s it.

Tell me about the car, Gideon said.

Cillian meanwhile walked around it and Meg