The Saint's Angel

“Are you staying the night again, ma’am?” Another nurse asked Enora a few days later.

She didn’t even acknowledge the woman.

Enora was too overwhelmed with her brother’s heartbreaking news. She couldn’t understand why he was so okay with dying. He’s only twenty-one, fer fuck’s sake, she thought sadly. She tried relentlessly to convince him to go through with the operation, but she couldn’t get through to him. He had already accepted his fate.

Once Enora realized the nurse was speaking to her, she replied with a nod. “Aye, I am.” She said weakly. The nurse smiled sympathetically—the only smile she’d been given lately—and handed her a spare blanket. Enora took it with a polite smile. “Thank ye.”

“You’re welcome, dear,” The kind woman said. “If you need anything, just let me know.” Enora nodded and watched as the nurse left her brother’s room, not shutting the door all the way in case it woke Aiden up.

After finally coming back that day, Dr. Winrow suggested Aiden to rest a bit more to build up his strength for surgery. That’s when her brother decided he wouldn’t be going through with the operation, nearly causing Enora to have a heart attack. “Th’ fuck ye mean yer not goin’ through with it?!” She remembered yelling. Aiden shrugged calmly and explained he didn’t want to waste the money. He said that there was no use in putting money into an operation that might not even work. “How fuckin’ selfish are ye, Aiden?!” Enora had screamed. “Ye can’t just leave me here by myself!”

“And he’s tha selfish one…” Enora muttered to herself, wrapping herself up in the warm blanket. Guilt stabbed at her stomach from her heartless words. What if those were the last words she ever said to her brother? What if he doesn’t wake up in the morning?

“I don’ think it’s very healthy ta be talkin’ ta yerself, y’know,” A soft and familiar Irish lilt came from the door. Enora craned her neck and gave Murphy a small smile, motioning for him to come in. He had been keeping her company over the past few days, sharing his cigarettes and keeping her mind off of her brother. His twin, Connor, was ordered to stay in the hospital a few ore days until his stitches were fully healed.

Murphy quietly agreed and slipped in through the door, taking a seat in the chair next to her. He nodded his head towards her sleeping brother. “How’s he doin’?”

Enora shrugged and let out a small sigh. “He’s okay, I guess. He’s basically accepted tha’ he’s goin’ ta die,” Feeling the cold chill of abandonment already creeping in, she tightened the blanket around her and glanced up at Murphy. Another sympathetic smile appeared on his lips, his blue eyes meeting hers. She blushed a bit and turned her attention back to her brother. “How’s yer brother?” She asked.

“Alright,” Murphy sighed with an added chuckle. “He’s gettin’ changed since they’re finally lettin’ him outta here. Now I have ta take care of his annoyin’ ass,” Enora laughed lightly, surprising herself. She hadn’t laughed in nearly a week, let alone cracked a genuine smile. “It’s good ta see ye smilin’, Enora.” Murphy whispered.

Enora nodded. “It’s been a few days since I’ve even thought ‘bout smilin’,” She murmured, her eyes still on her brother’s sleeping form. “I just hope God has some sorta miracle planned for my baby brother. He’s only twenty-one, y’know? He’s barely even lived yet.”

Murphy nodded but kept quiet, not knowing what to say. He had his brother, thankfully, and now he had his Da. He couldn’t imagine what this poor girl was going through. “Do ye need anythin’?” He asked her. “Me brother and I are leavin’ in a few. I could run and get ye somethin’ if ye’d like?”

Enora smiled at his kindness but shook her head. “Thanks but I’m fine. I really appreciate what ye’ve done, Murph.”

“And what is tha’?”

“Ye shared yer cigarettes, first of all,” Enora grinned. “And ye also got me mind off o’ everything. I really appreciate it.”

“Aye,” Murphy nodded with a smile. “Yer welcome, love. Here,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. “Ye ever need anythin’, ye can just call.” He handed her the paper with his number scribbled down.

A soft knock came from the door and a head poked itself inside. Murphy’s brother smiled softly at Enora and added a small wave. “Sorry ta interrupt. How are ye, Enora?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” She replied. “And ye?”

“Damn good. Got me a couple o’ nurse’s numbers,” He replied with a wink, sending a playful smirk to his brother. “It’s obvious who’s th’ more attractive of th’ MacManus brothers, right Murph?”

“Oi, fuck ye, Con. Ye know I’m more o’ tha ladies man.” Murphy bit back jokingly.

MacManus, Enora thought. Doc is always talkin’ about a couple o’ boys named MacManus. “Do ye boys know Doc? From McGinty’s?”

Murphy and Connor both glance over with surprised expressions. “Ye know Doc?” Connor asked. Enora nodded with a small smile.

“Aye,” Enora said. “He’s a good man.

“How do ye know ‘im?”Murphy asked.

“I’ve been working at tha bar for a good month or so now,” She said quietly, snuggling deeper into the chair. “Ol’ Doc was kind enough ta hire me.”

Murphy and Connor each shared confused glances then turned back to Enora. “We’re regulars there. How come we’ve never seen ya?” Connor asked, his bulky arms crossed over his chest as his back leaned against the door.

Enora shrugged and picked at the fabric of the blanket. “I usually work in tha back. Handle tha dishes and all that shit, ya know? Tryin’ ta keep a low profile…” Just as Murphy was about to say something, the door opened up and a familiar face stepped in. Enora felt her mind go blank and anger course through her veins. She stood up, nearly knocking the chair over, before getting nose to nose with the man that was responsible for her brother’s situation. “Th’ fuck are ye doin’ here, Vinnie?” Enora growled as the Italian man smirked down at her. “What did I tell ye about comin’ near me fuckin’ brother? I should fuckin’ kill ya!”

Vinnie raised his hands innocently and took a step back. “I just came to see how the little shit was doin’,” He chuckled. “Heard he took a pretty nasty hit to the stomach, ya know.”

“O’ course I fuckin’ know, ye asswipe! I had to carry his bleedin’ ass inta tha fuckin’ hospital! Because of you!” She nearly screamed shoving him back. Before she could lunge at the younger man, an arm was wrapped around her waist and she was pushed behind somebody’s body. Glancing up, the familiar pair of blue eyes greeted her, but they weren’t sparkling with their usual kindness. Instead, they were tinged with anger and protectiveness. “Let go, Murphy.” She scowled, attempted to twist out of his vice-like grip.

Murphy shook his head, a small smirk coming to his lips. “Let me and Connor handle this, love,” He whispered. “Trust me.” Sending her a wink, he turned and glowered at the smaller man, whose eyes were wide at the two brothers. Connor stepped beside Murphy, wearing an equally pissed-off expression. “Is there a problem, Vinnie?” Murphy asked with a tense voice.

“Y-You’re…holy shit,” Vinnie looked like he could piss himself any second. “I know who you guys are.”

The brothers exchanged glances before Connor took a step closer to the shaking Italian. “Ye best be gettin’ yer ass outta here, Vinnie.” He growled. “Ye don’t want to end up like poor Aiden over there, do ye?”

Vinnie shook his head, his eyes giving away his fear. “N-No,”

“Good,” Murphy smirked before stepping much closer to Vinnie. Blue eyes met brown and Enora was positive Vinnie had shit his pants. “And If I ever catch ye around here again, I’ll fuckin’ kill ye.”

Vinnie’s eyes went wide and he nodded, swallowing his fear. “Okay,” He said quickly before turning on his heels and nearly running out of the room.

Enora watched as the boys visibly relaxed, their shoulders drooping and their eyes returning to the usually sparkling blue. Murphy fell back into his seat, Connor taking his place back against the wall before he looked over at Enora. “Ye alright there, lass?” His voice was tinged with amusement and Enora let a small smile overcome her lips. She nodded and sat back in her seat, glancing over at Aiden. Her baby brother was miraculously still asleep.

She looked back over at the brothers and sighed. “Ye didn’t have ta do that,” She whispered, placing the blanket back around her shoulders. “Ye seem ta be in enough trouble as it is. Ye don’t have to get yerselves involved in all o’ my shit.”

Murphy snorted and rolled his eyes to meet hers. “We wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t want ta, love. We fellow Irishmen got ta look out fer each other.”

“Irishwomen, Murph,”Connor said, mocking his brother from the other day.

Murphy swatted a hand in the air, dismissing his brother before glancing over at Enora. “Ye know what I meant, Enora.”

“Aye,” She replied, smiling sweetly. “I do, Murphy. And I thank ye both.” She said, glancing up at Connor, who now smiled widely.

“Yer welcome, darlin’,” He then glanced over at his brother, who seemed to be staring a little too long at the Irish beauty in front of him. “What do ye want ta do now, Murph? Besides stare at th’ lass like she’s made o’ gold?”

“Oi, shut the fuck up, Con,” Murphy hissed, obviously embarrassed. Enora felt her cheeks flush and she held in a giggle. Murphy looked over at her and gave her a small smile. “Do ye want us ta stay, love? In case th’ bastard comes back?”

Enora thought for a second, considering having them stay for the night. But she knew Murphy needed to get some rest. His eyes were bloodshot and the bags underneath them looked unhealthy, like he hadn’t slept in days. “Ye two look like you good use a goodnight’s rest. I should be fine on my own.”

Connor and Murphy each shrugged. “If ye insist, lass. Ye got me brother’s number, so just call if ye need anything.” Connor said before placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it sweetly. She smiled and squeezed his hand in return. He gave her a nod before turning and heading out the door, leaving Murphy, Enora, and her comatose brother.

“Ye sure ya don’t want us ta stay?” Murphy asked softly.

Enora shook her head but gave him an appreciative smile. “I’ll be fine, Murph. Ye need ta get some sleep.”

Murphy nodded and grabbed his coat from the back of the chair. “Ye have me number. Just call if ye need me,” He leaned forward and pressed a surprising kiss to her forehead. He pulled back and gave her a soft smile. “I’ll come check on ye in th’ mornin’, alright?”

“Murphy,” Enora sighed with a smile, her cheeks flushed from when his warm lips touched her skin. “Ye don’t have ta do tha’. I’ll be fine.”

Murphy chuckled and tapped her nose. “Well, maybe it’s ‘cause I want ta.” He gave her one last smile before he left the room, shutting the door behind him quietly.

---

After leaving Enora, Murphy pulled out a much needed cigarette. He waited until he was outside in the cool, Boston air before lighting it and taking a hefty drag. He allowed the smoke settle into his lungs before exhaling smoothly, turning to his twin who had been standing there, smoking his own cigarette. Connor glanced up and gave Murphy a knowing and somewhat amused look. Murphy rolled his eyes, placing the cigarette between his lips. “Th’ fuck ye lookin’ at me like that fer?”

Connor smirked, smoke curling out from his own lips. “Ye like Enora, don’t ye, Murph?”

“I do not—“

“Don’t ye give me tha’ shit, brother,” Connor chuckled, watching in delight as his brother’s cheeks tinted pink. “I saw the way ye looked at her, not to mention that cute lil’ kiss ye gave her before ye left.”

“Oi, shut it,” Murphy grumbled, taking another drag. “I’m just tryin’ ta help the lass. Her brother’s dyin’ fer fuck’s sake.”

Connor nodded, the amusement falling away from his features. This definitely hit home for both of the brothers. They were so close; so dependent on one another. If something happened to the other, they’d be lost. It was always a possibility that they never really prepared themselves for. The life they lived, well…it wasn’t safe. One day they could be enjoying a few beers down at Doc’s, and the next thing you know, one of them is buried six feet under. It was scary, but also very real. Neither of them could imagine what Enora was going through.

“Ye know,” Connor murmured, taking one last drag from his cigarette. “I’ve seen that Vinnie kid before.”

Murphy nodded with a hint of malice sparkling in his blue eyes. “Aye, he hangs ‘round Mancini and his men. Bastards.”

The man Murphy mentioned was Rosario Mancini.

Italian mob boss, weapons dealer, and one of the most dangerous men in Boston.

He was also the boys’ next hit.

Mancini and his group—no—army of men had taken over the mob scene by storm. After the very public death of Giuseppe "Papa Joe" Yakavetta, the Italian mob was dwindling. Their leader was dead, their businesses were running dry, and no money was coming in. Fortunately, the crime rate had gone down dramatically—at least for a couple months.

But then, Mancini drifted into town. He took charge quickly, recruiting men and some boys no older than sixteen to help replenish their numbers. In a matter of months, the Italian’s were back and more powerful than ever.

That’s when the MacManus brothers stepped in.

“We could use her, ye know,” Connor piped up. “Her brother probably was one o’ Mancini’s recruits. We could—“

“No,” Murphy snapped, glaring at his brother. “No, we aren’t draggin’ her inta this, Con. Not after what happened with Rocco.”

“But, Murph—“

“Con, no.”

“Murphy, if ye’d just listen—“

“Connor!” Murphy nearly yelled. He dropped his cigarette and shoved his brother back against the brick wall of the hospital. “We aren’t doin’ it! I don’t care what ye say! We aren’t draggin’ that poor grievin’ girl inta this! She’s about ta lose her brother. She doesn’t need ta lose her life, too.”

Connor pushed his brother back and narrowed his eyes. “I’m not sayin’ she’s gonna die, Murph. She won’t even be exposed ta any of it. All I’m sayin’ is tha’ she might have a few answers,”

“Doesn’t matter,” Murphy growled. “She stays out of it.” And with that, Murphy tightened his coat around his shoulders and started towards their car. He refused to listen to anymore of his brother’s nonsense.

She ain’t gettin’ mixed up inta all o’ this shit, He thought to himself, pulling another cigarette out. We can’t risk losin’ anyone else.