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)
“I guess you can’t run me over if I’m in your car.” I climb into the passenger seat and slam the door.
He pulls forward, driving around the block. “Would it help if I said Seamus doesn’t know I’m here?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit. A part of me likes that Seamus is still worried about my safety. The way he’s been acting lately, it’s easy to forget he even gives a damn. “Are things really that bad?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” He keeps driving, not looking at me, circling around the block over and over. “The security team he’s got assigned to you is probably enough. I was just stopping by to check in, that’s all.”
“And conveniently nearly slammed me with your car.”
“Again, I’m pretty sure that was your fault. Who runs out into traffic in New York? You’re lucky it was me driving. Otherwise, you’d be roadkill.”
“I hate that you have a point.” I lean back in the seat, crossing my arms over my chest. “Have you talked to him lately?”
“Yeah, we talk.”
“Has he said anything? You know about—” I don’t finish that sentence. I feel stupid enough asking like I’m some high school girl worried her crush isn’t thinking about her.
Finn’s quiet. He stares straight ahead. I hate that reaction and wish someone would be straightforward with me for once. But slowly, he lets out a breath and shakes his head.
“Things are complicated,” he says at last.
“Thanks, that’s super helpful, like I hadn’t noticed already.” But the way he says it makes something tug at the back of my head. “You know why he pulled away, don’t you?”
He glances at me. “You’re a clever one. I gotta be careful around you.”
“There is a reason then. Something happened with Molchanie and he won’t tell me.”
“If he’s not saying, then he’s got his reasons.”
“You know though.”
“I have a few good guesses.”
“Would you tell me? I’m sick of wandering around in the dark. Clearly, it’s got something to do with me. I have a right to know if some crazy assassin is trying to murder me.”
He tilts his head, considering. “I can say that Molchanie is most likely not trying to kill you, but anything past that is between you and my brother.”
“You’re a lot of help.” I tap my knuckles against the car door, feeling frustrated and pent-up. “Might as well just drop me off at the deli on the corner. I was on my way to lunch before you tried to ram me.”
He pulls over but doesn’t unlock the door. “Do me a favor. Don’t give up on Seamus just yet, okay?”
I sit with that a second. “I haven’t really been given a good reason to stick around.”
“He’s doing his best. That’s all I can say. Things aren’t simple for him right now, but he’s trying.”
“Would you just tell me what’s going on?”
“I really can’t. Ask him though. I think he should tell you, but it’s not my call.”
Anger simmers in my chest. I finally unlock the door myself and push it open. “Here’s the thing. Whatever’s going on with Seamus, that’s my problem too, and I really hate it when people treat me like I’m some little kid who can’t be trusted.”
“I know the feeling,” he mutters, looking annoyed. “Talk to your husband. This is what I get for trying to do a good deed.”
“Good deed? Vehicular manslaughter is a good deed?”
“I was checking up on you!”
“Sure looked like checking up when you nearly squashed me!”
“I don’t know what the hell my brother sees in you!”
I slam the door in Finn’s face. He pulls out abruptly and drives off, leaving me alone on the sidewalk, fuming.
Typical mafia asshole. He thinks because I’m a woman, my brain’s smaller and I can’t handle too much thinking. Probably worried I’ll hear about his big scary problems, get all emotional, and start bleeding all over the place.
I want to curse and break something, but what Finn said before storming off clicks into place.
I don’t know what the hell my brother sees in you.
That’s a curious thing to say.
Considering Seamus has been acting like I don’t exist.
But it means I was right. Before my husband abruptly pulled away, we had something going. A real relationship was starting to form, but whatever went down during his meeting killed all that.
I hate that it gives me hope. I hate that I want to fix this stupid broken marriage.
Mostly I hate that I have to force my grumpy husband to start talking before we can’t salvage whatever is left between us.
Chapter 25
Seamus
One good thing about moving into Alina’s place is that she’s got a really nice guest bedroom.
Comfortable mattress. Clean sheets. Decent pillows. I get the feeling she spent a fortune furnishing it, but nobody ever stays over.
At least until me.
Everything else is a downside.
This apartment is a constant reminder of our relationship and how it’s not progressing anymore.