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)
In my dressing room, I ran my fingers over the blossoms that waited. They arrived every Friday without fail. Without a card. But I knew who sent them and why. I felt the sadness seeping into my chest, and I shook my head to clear it of the morose thoughts.
I had made my choice.
A knock at the door startled me. Few people were able to get back this way. I had tried to mingle with patrons at first, but a few were too handsy. Too close. I learned quickly I needed to isolate myself to rest and to stay safe. I didn’t like being touched by strangers.
I stood, going to the door. “Hello?” I called.
“It’s me,” a voice said quietly, the low tone and Irish brogue instantly calming me yet causing my heart to race at the same time.
I opened the door. Finn stood on the other side, tall and broad, his hair glinting in the lights. He wore it tied back today, the waves still evident in the sweep of the knot.
I stepped back, silently bidding him to enter. He brushed past me, and I felt the heat of his body, his scent hitting me, masculine and enticing. I breathed him in deeply, shutting the door and giving myself a moment to school my features.
“Mr. O’Reilly.”
He clasped his hands behind his back. “Finn,” he replied with a frown, waiting.
“You’re my boss.”
“I’m also your friend. I am Finn to you when we’re alone.”
I hated the way his voice sounded as he said, “when we’re alone.” It was an unspoken promise that stirred memories I refused to think of. Instead, I cleared my throat.
“Is there an issue?”
“You looked tired. I wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re not overdoing it.”
I sat down at my makeup table, and he perched on the large chair in the corner. It wasn’t a big room, and it now seemed minuscule with him in it. His hands rested on his thighs and he looked casual, but his fingers were knotted in a fist, and I saw the tic of his jaw as he waited for my reply.
I waved off his concern. “I’m fine. It was a busy week at the desk. I was worried about Brian, so I didn’t sleep well. He didn’t come home for a few days, but he texted me earlier and said he was fine.” I shrugged. “I guess he was off doing whatever it is he does for you.”
I hated that he worked for Finn. That my brother was a part of that dark world I was trying to get away from. I couldn’t escape it yet, but soon, I would. I would leave it all behind me.
Finn shifted, looking uncomfortable. “First off, as much as I would like to point out your brother is a grown man and should be living on his own, not sponging off his younger sister, I will refrain.”
“Thank you for your restraint,” I murmured, trying to resist rolling my eyes. I knew Finn’s thoughts on Brian.
“Second, your brother was not working for me the nights he chose not to come home.” He took a deep breath. “I need to tell you something. Something you’re not going to like.”
“Is Brian okay? Is he—”
Finn cut me off. “He’s fine. A little bruised. His ego wounded more than anything.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your brother got himself into trouble. He gambled where he shouldn’t and racked up a bill he couldn’t pay.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. Finn leaned forward. “I paid the debt, Una. He owes me now, and he will work it off fairly. But I had to teach him a lesson.”
“You’re the one who bruised him?”
“Yes. I wanted to tell you before you saw him and he told you whatever bullshit story he made up about why.”
“You hurt him.”
“Not as badly as he would have been hurt by the man he owed money to. Money he didn’t have.” He sat back, serious and unrepentant. “I couldn’t let it go.”
“You mean you wouldn’t.”
“You know the message it would send out if I did, Una. I didn’t break anything. He’ll be sore for a few days, and he’ll remember what happens when you disregard the rules and run up bills you have no way of paying.”
“How much?”
“Pardon me?”
“How much is his debt?”
“I paid off thirty-five thousand.”
The sum shocked me. I knew Brian liked to bet on horses, play some cards, but thirty-five thousand dollars? I looked down at my hands that were now shaking, knowing what I had to do.
“I will pay you.”
“What?” Finn hissed.
I lifted my gaze to his. “I have twenty thousand saved. I will pay you. The rest you can dock my wages.”
He shook his head, leaning forward. “Over my dead body. This is not your debt to pay. Stop saving him, Una. He is not your responsibility.”