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)
Niall pressed a coffee into my hand, and I grabbed at his wrist before he could leave.
“Did you retaliate?”
He stared at me a moment. “It’s started. They’ll all be eliminated before dawn,” he said quietly. “Don’t be afraid, Una. You’re safe.”
He walked away, and I shook my head.
I wasn’t afraid for me. I feared for Finn.
I was a liability.
I’d heard my dad talk about leaders and their families. How the right person could strengthen and uphold the other, making them more powerful. But they had to be careful never to reveal that connection since it could be used against them.
Finn had been transparent with his feelings to me. It had almost cost him his life.
I had to break it off when he recovered.
No matter how much it hurt me.
Because I loved him too much to let him die because of me.
An odd noise alerted me to someone at my door. I walked over, peeking through the keyhole to see Brian. He was looking down at something in his hand. I opened the door, surprising him.
“Oh—you’re home. I knocked,” he said, sounding nervous, his hands closing into fists in a repetitive gesture. “I thought you’d be at work.”
“I have the later shift today. What were you doing—trying to pick the lock?” I asked, teasing.
He held up his phone. “I was texting you.”
“Oh.” I glanced at my watch, seeing it was just after eight. I had been lost to my thoughts for over two hours. “It’s early for a visit.”
“I was in the neighborhood and wanted to come say hi.” I stepped back, and he came in. “Any chance of a tea?”
“I was just having coffee,” I replied.
“I’d take that too.”
“Sure.” I headed for the kitchen, and he leaned on the doorframe, watching me, his gaze dark and never settling. “Can I use the bathroom?”
I sighed, shaking my head. “You don’t have to ask.”
“I feel as if I do.”
I grabbed a cup, waiting as it filled with steaming coffee, then made myself another one. I carried them to the living room, frowning when Brian reappeared from his old room.
“The bathroom is down the hall.”
He took his cup, sitting down, his knee bouncing. “I was checking to see if I’d left behind an extra phone cable in my backpack. I broke mine.”
“Any luck?”
“No. I’ll buy one.”
He slid his hand into his pocket and handed me a wad of cash. I took it with a frown. “What is this?”
“Money toward what I owe you. It’s only a few hundred, but I’ll keep paying you.”
“Where did you get this?”
“I told you, I’m working extra jobs.” He took another sip of coffee. “In fact, Juan and I are thinking of opening our own business.” He met my gaze. “I’m going to leave Finn’s crew.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Have you told him that?”
“No. Not yet. He won’t give a shit anyway.”
“You owe him a lot of money.”
“And I’ll pay him. But I’m tired of being treated like a chump,” he snarled. “I’ve been his whipping boy long enough.”
I was surprised at his tone and how quickly he became angry.
“Why do you dislike him so much?” I asked.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Why don’t I? He keeps me down, like a nobody. No promotions, no rewards. I’m just a grunt. After what Dad did for him, he should be fucking showing me gratitude. And you…” He trailed off, his anger getting the better of him. “He should be looking after me too. Not just you. I deserve it.”
I frowned. “You deserve it?”
“Yeah, I do,” he spat.
“Well, I hope the conversation goes well,” I soothed, feeling nervous. Brian was off today. Wound up tight. I could feel his agitation, and it was making me anxious. I didn’t want to provoke him.
He slammed his coffee cup down on the table, leaning forward. His anger rolled off him. “Do you, Una? Or do you hope he beats me again? Puts me in my place?”
“Your place?” I repeated, anxiety becoming fear.
“Below you. Never good enough. Always under Una, the perfect one.”
I forced a laugh. “I’m hardly perfect, Brian. You know that.”
He stood, towering over me. “Not to him,” he sneered. “He thinks you fucking walk on water. Even after you broke it off. He gets you a job in the new hotel. A place to sing. He’s always around. Fucking watching. Like a fucking pervert.”
“I don’t know why you’re so angry right now, Brian,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm. “But I think you should leave.”
For a moment, I thought he was going to explode. Then he sighed, every muscle loosening in his body. He shook his head.
“Sorry, Una.” He straightened. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ll get you more money as soon as I can.”
He walked out, and as soon as the door shut, I was out of my chair, snapping the dead bolt and leaning on the door, my heart racing.