Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Highly doubt it.”
“Why not go ask him?”
I consider it. That’s probably the easiest thing to do. Except a part of me doesn’t feel like playing this game. I want Seamus to be simple and straightforward for once instead of making everything difficult.
“He’ll come to me eventually,” I say, turning back to the accounting software.
“I see you’re leaning into the stubbornness,” Kira whispers.
Finn appears around the corner a few moments later. He’s in a pair of Italian loafers, artisan-crafted chinos, and a slubby denim button-down. He looks like a hipster leatherworker, and I hate to admit that it really works.
“How’s this, ladies?” He beams, boyish and good-looking, and does a little spin. I catch Kira’s jaw drop open as she looks at his ass.
“You look fantastic,” she croons, coming around the counter. “Very handsome and masculine. That outfit’s stylish without being overwhelming.”
“I am all about being subtle.” He glances at me. “Do you agree with her, sister-in-law?”
“Sure, whatever Kira says about fashion is the gospel,” I mutter, not returning his smile.
“Come on, I have other ideas.” Kira leads him away.
For the next hour, he keeps trying on clothes. Eventually, Kira loses interest, which actually took longer than I expected, but Finn’s still hanging around. He keeps wandering, picking things up, pretending to care about them, looking out the front window, wandering some more, and generally being the most conspicuous person imaginable.
He glares death at the few shoppers we get. One of them is just some regular guy, but Finn treats him like a straight-up criminal and follows him around the whole time, at least until he gets scared off. The few women that show up are shadowed by him, though one doesn’t seem to mind. I’m pretty sure she propositions him at some point before leaving in a disappointed huff.
Another hour passes that way. Even Kira starts to get frustrated. She approaches where he’s leaning near the front door, his little pretense at shopping basically dropped. Her arms are crossed over her chest.
“What’s your deal? Why are you lurking like a stalker?”
Finn only gives her a charming smile. “Stalkers don’t lurk out in the open. Trust me, I’d know. Have you ever noticed me around your house before?”
Her mouth drops open. “Uh, no?”
“Exactly.” He brushes a hand down his sleeves. “My stalking is very subtle.”
Kira instantly retreats back behind the counter. “He’s terrifying,” she whispers furiously. “And really hot. He can stalk me anytime.”
“Stop it,” I hiss, doing my best to pretend like my brother-in-law isn’t acting like a total creep.
After hour three, I finally lose it. I don’t know how he’s pretending like this is normal. When Kira leaves for her lunch break, I approach him, heart hammering in my chest.
“Why are you here, Finn?”
His eyebrows raise in surprise. “We’re actually doing this?”
“You’ve been hanging around my store all morning. What the hell is going on?”
“I figured you were just ignoring me.”
“Seriously. Either tell me what’s up or I’m calling Seamus.”
He squirms slightly, looking uncomfortable. “I thought he told you.”
“Told me what?” I ask, exasperated.
“He means well, okay? If it were me, I would’ve just told you by now. You know, healthy communication is the bedrock of every marriage?”
“Why are you parroting relationship clichés at me?”
“Seamus sent me here. He told me to keep an eye on you.”
That settles in my stomach like a lead ball. I stare at him, heart racing. Seamus needs his own brother to watch me? During my work hours?
Anger flares, and I struggle to keep it contained.
“Why would he do that?” I ask, jaw flexing.
“Oh, man. You’re pissed.”
“I’m not angry. I’m just trying to understand.”
He points at my face. “There’s a vein.” He squints, leaning in. “Right there on your forehead. It’s pulsing. You’re livid.”
“Stop that.” I swat at his finger, and he pulls it back like I’m a venomous snake. “Why did he send you to stare at me and flirt with my friend?”
“The flirting was my idea. She’s really cute. What’s her deal?”
“Stop avoiding the question.”
“He’s just worried, that’s all. Seamus has been the captain of our family’s street operations for years now, and that’s made him even more paranoid than the rest of us. I think the murders sent his worry into overdrive.”
That surprises me. I look away, frowning to myself. “I didn’t know Seamus was capable of worry.”
“He comes off like nothing matters, but it’s all a defense mechanism.”
“Okay, so you’re, what, my personal guard?”
“For today.”
“And you don’t have anything better to do?”
“Apparently not. I’m doing him a favor.”
“Well, cut it out. Go somewhere else.”
He shakes his head. “Can’t do that.”
“I’m not asking.”
“You’re going to learn this eventually, so I might as well spell it out.” He crosses his arms, his maddening smile getting bigger. “You married into a family of the most honest criminals known to man.”
“There’s no such thing as an honest criminal,” I say sharply and look away at the floor. “Trust me. I’d know.”