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)
Finn O’Reilly is stern, powerful, and confident. He oversees his hotel and his syndicate with a commanding presence and leadership, knowing any weakness could be used against him.
And he has none. Except Una Murphy. The woman he lost his heart to and still loves, even though she wants nothing to do with him.
Or so she claims.
When her life is in peril, he won’t stop until she is safe and back where she belongs—with him.
Can he rescue her?
Convince her to stay?
Will she be a part of his world, regardless of the danger, knowing she is safer with him than apart?
She is his world.
He simply needs to convince her.
Start your journey in The Irishmen duet by New York Times best-selling author Melanie Moreland
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER ONE
FINN
I glanced at my watch, then cast my gaze at the wall of monitors on the opposite wall. I could see and, if I wanted, hear everything going on in every corner of my hotel and casino, aside from the private rooms. I had no desire to know what went on behind the closed doors of my guests. Unless you were in a suite I put you in to keep tabs on you.
That was a totally different story.
The casino was steady, the restaurants prepping for another day of busy service, and everything was running smoothly. I clicked again so the entire wall became the lobby, scanning to make sure it looked perfect.
Guests were coming and going, the concierge desk busy. The front desk had a few people in front of it, and I did a quick zoom to make sure the staff was following protocol.
At least, that was what I told myself.
I took a moment to observe the lobby, waiting until a familiar head of bright-red curls appeared. I stared at the monitor, drinking in the smile and friendly expression on her face as she dealt with a guest. The warmth she exuded, the same warmth I wished were directed toward me, even though I knew she was off-limits. She had made that very clear, and I had to respect her wishes. I watched her for a few more moments, admiring her grace and beauty, reaching my hand out to stroke her cheek on the screen, recalling how soft her skin was. How silky it used to feel under my fingers. The way it felt when I pressed my lips there, whispering to her.
“Mo chroí.”
As if hearing my thoughts, she looked up toward the monitor, her gaze feeling as if it were looking directly into my soul. The one only she knew. For a brief time, she had been the redemption, the gift I’d been given.
Until she’d left me.
Her gaze dropped and I shook my head, returning to the present. I focused my attention to the front door, waiting for my unscheduled visitor.
I didn’t have to wait long. Roman Costas was nothing if not punctual.
He walked in, his shoulders back, head high, stopping to take in the much-changed front lobby.
When he’d owned the casino and hotel, it was modern, sleek, muted grays and creams. Streamlined furniture, thick carpeting underfoot.
When he sold it to me, I closed it for a year, remodeled parts of it, and reopened as O’Reilly’s. I replaced the previous name of Maple II, as had been part of our agreement. He hadn’t seen it yet.
I zoomed in to get a closer look at his reaction.
For a brief moment, I saw his shock and a slight sadness as he scanned the vast area, then his mask fell into place.
He walked forward, taking it all in. Gone were the glass and metal and carpet. Dark woods, soft colors, and heavy, thick-planked flooring were in their place. A massive rock wall was at the back, water cascading gently over the crevices to a pool below. Flanking the waterfall area were live trees and plants, the green stretching upward to the new, light-filled dome. The area was peaceful and serene. It invited our guests to sit and relax, close their eyes and forget about the city beyond the walls and glass. The dome was fitted with stained glass, the colors cascading all around, beautiful yet allowing the light to come in and highlight the plants and water. It was my favorite spot on the main floor.
It was hers as well.
Closer to the front was another alcove that contained a huge fireplace with chairs and sofas arranged around it. There were live edge desks at reception, deep armchairs, and muted greens and cream everywhere. No steel or metal surfaces anywhere. The ambiance of the entire hotel was now that of an Irish manor. Warm, welcoming, homey. Upstairs, I had added an Irish pub, the décor so realistic you’d think it had been there for years, not a matter of months. It was always busy and one of the biggest moneymakers in the entire building, next to the casino.