Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
But it wouldn’t be at my hands.
I could tell Una honestly I’d let him go. That I did as she asked, but tell her it was the last time.
Surely she could see how hard I was trying for her. This might be the only chance for us.
So, I grabbed it.
“You break your word, I’m coming for you. No holds barred. It won’t matter who you’re related to.”
“You won’t have to.”
“Who is Juan?” I asked out of the blue.
He looked surprised and cleared his throat. “My roommate.”
“Where did you meet him?”
“At the bar through some friends.”
“Is he part of Lopez’s crew?”
He frowned. “Lopez? No. I’m staying away from his place.”
“You better. Keep your nose clean, Brian. Try working hard. Applying yourself.”
He rolled his eyes as he stood. Resentment poured off him, all pretense of being contrite gone. “Thanks for the pep talk. One day, you might find you need my help, Finn. I’ll be only too pleased to tell you to go fuck yourself.”
“Watch your tone,” I snarled, standing. “I’m still—”
He waved his hand. “You’re nothing to me now but my past.”
I gripped the desk, the edge of the wood splintering under my hands. I wanted to kill him. “Get out.”
He sauntered toward the door.
“I’ll be watching, Brian.”
“Yeah. Say hi to my sister while you’re doing that.”
He walked out.
I stared at the money, then at the door.
He was lying. I knew it as sure as I knew my own name. Whatever he’d done to get this money was bad news. He was too brave suddenly. As if he had a secret.
I shook my head, knowing I had just made a mistake, and I had no one to blame but myself.
And that made me angry.
I headed back to the hotel and went to my suite. I stood in the shower, feeling the heat on my skin. I scrubbed myself, as if washing away the grit of the day. Wishing I could wash away the past couple of days and not have argued with Una. Refused to let her walk away. I stepped from the shower, towel-drying my hair, feeling the exhaustion catching up with me. I glanced at my watch, deciding I would order some food, then go see her. Talk to her and clear the air. Lay it all on the table without any other ears listening.
I ordered a sandwich and poured myself a whiskey, calling Niall to check in.
“They’re releasing her tomorrow,” he informed me. “I’ve set up all the care, and I plan to stay a couple of days to make sure she’s settled.”
Knowing the line was secure, I told him everything that had happened, including a shortened version of the fight with Una.
He sighed. “If I’d been there, I’d have put a bullet in him. Una could have hated me instead.”
I chuckled, draining my whiskey and pouring another generous finger or two into my glass. “I’ve never been so torn.”
“You aren’t with anything else. It’s just this fucked-up situation.” He paused. “I hope you don’t regret this, Finn. More than if you had taken him out. Or put out the word to do so.”
“I think I will,” I replied honestly. “Something is up.”
“Then we need to figure it out. Fast. And take Roman up on his offer. Get some extra men on security.”
“I’ll call him in the morning.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
He rang off and I sighed, going to the door when I heard the discreet knock. I took my sandwich and ate it, barely tasting it, running my finger over my phone constantly. I wanted to call Una, but the need to see her was stronger. I finished my sandwich and stood, my phone ringing as I did.
“O’Reilly.”
“Boss, we got another one.”
I shut my eyes. “On my way.”
The next morning, I was almost delirious with exhaustion. I hadn’t slept in days. Last night, two businesses had been torched in my territory. Neither was mine, but they were local owners who watched their lives go up in smoke. By the time I dealt with the fire department, the families, and relocating them since they lived over their stores, it was dawn. Neither of them had good enough surveillance, so I spent a significant chunk of time with my team and a company arranging more cameras in various areas. I needed to catch whoever this was. I added extra men and called Roman, asking for additional help.
“I still have lots of men who would work,” he assured me. “I’ll get some to your place, and you dispatch them where needed.” He paused. “You need me to send Aldo? He can help run the crew.”
I paused. “No. Niall is back soon. But if I change my mind, I’ll let you know.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
I smelled of smoke and ash. I was covered in soot and dirt. I headed to my suite and once again stood under the showerhead, but the spray didn’t ease the tension. Until I figured this out, I couldn’t relax.