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)
“I need to go to my apartment tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“My dresses are there for performing. The super has installed a new lock, so I need to pick up the key. I want to get a few things.”
“Can you buy a dress here? Tomorrow is going to be—” he paused “—hectic, with everything I need to handle.”
“Couldn’t Tom come with me? I won’t be long. Get my dresses and the new key. Gather a few things. I won’t be alone.”
He sighed, the sound heavy. “I’ll see what I can arrange.”
“Thank you.”
He held out his hand. “Come to bed, mo chroí. I need to rest, and I need you with me to do so.”
I went willingly.
I didn’t sleep much, and neither did Finn. My mind was on Brian and what was going to happen. I felt as if I were already mourning him.
I knew Finn had even more on his mind, and I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to know. I admitted to myself I wasn’t sure I could stop myself from warning Brian, and I felt ashamed.
We were both quiet as we had breakfast. I nibbled on my toast, even my tea not holding any appeal.
“Una,” Finn said, breaking into my thoughts.
I met his eyes, feeling torn.
“I understand,” he said quietly. “He’s your brother. You still want to protect him.”
“You can’t trust me,” I whispered. “I can’t trust myself.”
He smiled, tracing a finger down my cheek. “I do trust you. But again, I understand. The way you love is an incredible gift, Una. Some people, however, don’t deserve it.”
“He did once.”
“You can’t separate the boy from the man he’s become. And I know you’re hurting.”
I had to look away, blinking.
“This isn’t an easy life at times,” he admitted. “I would rather hurt myself a hundred times than see you in pain. But my hands are tied here. He has physically hurt you. He’s on some sort of road of destruction and is coming after me. But I promise you this.” He took my hand. “I will find whoever put him on that road, and they will be punished.”
“And if you find out in some way it isn’t him?” I asked, even though I knew better.
“Then I will act accordingly.”
It was all I could ask from him.
FINN
I went to my office after agreeing to allow Una to go to her apartment and get her things. Tom would accompany her to keep her safe. I escorted her down to the car, disliking that she’d be out of my sight but knowing she needed to stay busy. I knew she was struggling. I hated the fact that I was responsible for that struggle, even though I had no choice.
And I hated that her tender heart still hoped.
Niall and Roman were in my office, and I was surprised to see Aldo as well. I shook his hand and sat down. “Something tells me I need to sit for this.”
“Pedro Lopez isn’t his real name. And he’s a black hole,” Roman informed me, not bothering with a greeting. “One of horror.”
“Fuck.”
“Wanted in several countries. He’s into some dark stuff. He’d disappeared off the map for a while. There were rumors of his death.” He paused. “Until now.”
Aldo shook his head. “Busy setting up shop here.”
“Tell me.”
“Hard-core drugs. Sex trafficking. Kidnapping. Weapons. Auctions—and not antiques.”
“How did you find him?”
“That picture you had of Juan. You said Una mentioned the resemblance between them was strong. I had my guy age it and start scanning on the dark web. He got a hit on the face. And Juan is his nephew. He is very much like his uncle. Sick, greedy, and twisted. They like to get their informants hooked and dependent.”
“Where is he getting the drugs? I haven’t heard any rumblings.”
Niall ran a hand through his hair. “I had our guy do some recon.” At Roman’s look, he shrugged. “You have your guy for the web. We have ours for drones. Exceptionally undetectable ones.”
“What did you find?” I asked.
“A barn set way out back on the property by the racetrack in a grove of trees. Almost impossible to see on the ground. Looked run-down, almost deserted. There was a small window open, hanging off as if the building was empty.”
“But it’s not,” I guessed.
“No. He directed the drone in and scoped it out. It looks new. Not used as a stable, though. Too far away from the track.”
“Any ideas?”
Niall looked grim. “I had him do another check. There were heat sources. A lot of them. Yet no one in the barn.”
“Underground,” Roman mused.
“A hidden lab,” I said with a curse.
He nodded.
“You think he’s manufacturing his own drugs?”
“Yes. His MO is to kidnap people and force them to make his drugs. They rarely are ever seen again. One guy escaped and told his story, and Pedro’s place was raided and destroyed. Pedro disappeared, just resurfacing now under a new last name and country.”