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’m going home.”
I snapped my head in her direction. “I’m not playing this game with you, Una. You’re angry. Fine. I am as well. We’ll hash it out together once I take care of some business.”
“I’m going to my apartment. I hadn’t planned on going to the hotel with you before we talked. My clothes are there. My uniform. I left so quickly, I never cleaned out my fridge or took out the garbage. I need to attend to those things,” she informed me.
Her words made sense, but I was still angry.
“Then I’ll send a car for you when you’re ready.”
She lifted her chin, stubborn as hell. “I’ll take the subway in the morning when I report for my shift.”
I narrowed my eyes, ignoring the ache in my chest. “Una,” I warned.
She glared right back. “I want to be alone for a while. You don’t own me, Finn. I don’t take orders from you.” She turned her head. “I’m not one of your men. But if my behavior upsets you, maybe you can take care of me and my brother in one go. Save yourself some time.”
Fury rolled inside me. Ignoring the fact that we were landing and I needed to stay in my seat, I tore the seat belt off and towered over her, gripping the arms of her seat. Our steward called out a warning, but I ignored her.
“Don’t ever fucking say anything like that again. You know I would die rather than hurt you. You are never in danger with me. Your brother is business. You are my entire fucking world.”
She stared up at me, shocked at my tone, startled at my proximity.
“Sit down,” she pleaded.
“Tell me you know that. Promise me you will never think or say anything so fucking vile again.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”
I sat down, snapping on the seat belt and shutting my eyes. I took a deep breath, then another.
“I love you, mo chroí,” I said as the plane came to a halt.
“I know,” she repeated.
My heart ached at those words, because she didn’t say them back.
He was already winning.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
UNA
Finn’s phone rang the instant we touched down, and he turned his back as he spoke. I passed a weary hand over my face as we exited the plane, were whisked through customs, and got into the waiting car.
Finn instructed his driver to drop me off, then head to the hotel. Silence stretched between us, the sound so loud it screamed in my ears. I clutched my purse handle so hard, my knuckles were white. It took all I had not to turn to Finn and beg for Brian. Plead with him to make an exception. I knew this world. I knew the dangers and the pain of being in it.
Which was why I had wanted out of it for so long.
But being out of it meant losing Finn, and I wasn’t sure I could do that again.
The consequences of my brother’s actions, however, might have ended it for me.
“Una.” Finn’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I glanced at him. “We’re here,” he stated, indicating my apartment building.
“Right.” I stepped out, taking my bag from the driver. Finn watched me, not getting out of the car. Unsure what to do, I began to walk to the door, tears filling my eyes. Then I heard him call my name, and I turned, seeing him behind me. He grabbed me, bringing me flush to his body and holding me.
“We’ll get through this, mo chroí. I swear it.”
But even I heard the doubt in his voice.
He stood, ensuring I walked into the building, then I watched as his car pulled away, feeling as if my entire world had just disappeared.
I headed upstairs, entering my apartment. It smelled musty, and I got busy, emptying the garbage and the fridge, glad I hadn’t been shopping before I left. There were only a few soft grapes and a mushy cucumber to toss. The sour milk, I poured down the drain. My plants were a little droopy, so I watered them and hoped they’d bounce back. I unpacked, my body on autopilot as I did. The new clothes Finn had purchased for me, I put away, the sadness bearing down on me. I paused as I ran my hand over the softness of a sweater.
Would he ever see me wear it?
I sat down, my shaky legs not able to keep me on my feet.
Would Finn kill Brian? Was my brother on drugs? Was he doing what Finn suspected?
I rubbed my aching head. In Finn’s world, there was only black and white. Obedience was expected. Loyalty was demanded. You stepped out of line, you knew the consequences.
I sighed as a tear slipped down my cheek. I knew that—and so did Brian. Finn was right, and I had always coddled my brother. Took his side.