Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
He kicked me then, right in my shoulder joint, and I nearly blacked out from the pain.
Turned out, he broke a couple bones. Everyone laughed about it afterwards. Just kids being kids. Big Shane doesn’t know his own strength. That sort of bullshit. To this day, I can’t raise my right arm all the way over my head, not without a twinge and a pop. Just boys being boys and beating each other with a fucking hammer.
Sometimes I wonder what I would’ve done if I had won a round.
Probably cracked his fucking skull in half.
Good thing I’ll get the chance tonight.
I turn away from the gear and drift into the main apartment. I need to clear my head. If we’re going to do this, we’d better be in good shape. I can’t risk fucking it up, not with so much on the line. I’m about to head down to the kitchen, make myself some coffee, when I notice the door to the massive walk-in closet is open a crack. I approach quietly and listen for a moment. All I hear is breathing and some rustling.
I look inside to find Caroline sitting at the vintage vanity Casey left for her.
She’s wearing a matching underwear set. Frilly, lacy, gorgeous. The panties connected to stockings connected to the black bra. A black dress is hanging beside her. It’s short, tight, and doesn’t hide much. She’s touching up her makeup, doing much more than usual, her hair blown out and smooth. A smell lingers in the air, a floral and airy perfume.
My heart races as I stare at my wife. I know she’s dressing for her part in this kill, but fuck, she looks beautiful. I’m not supposed to have this reaction, not to her, not to a Flanagan. But why do I keep holding on to this hate? When she wasn’t even around back then? A part of me knows she’s innocent, but another part of me hates her anyway, purely because of who her parents are.
This job is dangerous. We’re all taking serious risk tonight, Caroline included. I didn’t even stop to think about how she might get hurt if this all goes wrong. It never occurred to me, at least until right now, looking at her in the mirror. She’s so fucking delicate. So fucking beautiful. I have to get myself together, but I feel overwhelmed and dizzy, like I need to stride in there and kiss her.
“You going to keep staring?” she says. I was so intent on my thoughts that I hadn’t realized she’d caught me. Fuck, I’m getting sloppy. I can’t afford that right now, not when so much is at stake.
“That was the plan.”
She’s smiling slightly. It’s teasing but also a little uncomfortable. “How do I look? Think I’ll blend in?”
I want to say, you look perfect. Because that’s the truth.
Instead, I only nod. “It’ll work.”
“Wow, what a compliment. I’m feeling so confident already.”
I slip into the closet. I shouldn’t, but I can’t stop myself. “I’ve been thinking about the plan. There are some details we might’ve skipped over.”
“Yeah? Like what?” She lightly adjusts her eyeliner.
“Like your role in what’s going to happen. We don’t actually need you to be there.”
She pauses, frowning slightly. “How would that work?”
“There are other girls. We could hire one of them—”
“Last minute? We’re leaving in an hour.”
“I’d make it happen.”
Her eyes narrow. “What are you doing right now, Finn?”
“Offering you an out. You don’t have to do this. Let me take care of the hard part.” My heart’s beating fast. I want her to stay home. I desperately need to know she’ll be safe.
But she only shakes her head. “No. Sorry. I can’t.”
“This could be dangerous.”
“You think I don’t know that?” She laughs, and it’s ugly and bitter. “I know my brother just as well as you do.” Her fingers brush against a scar on the back of her neck. She pushes her hair aside so I get a good look. “I have just as much right to be in that room as you do.”
I clench my jaw. Let it go, just let it go. I don’t have to keep arguing. She’s right, we don’t have time to change the plan. I need her if this is going to work.
But every part of me is screaming to make her stay.
To keep my wife safe.
“We can find another way. Stay home tonight.”
She gets to her feet, scowling. I watch as she pulls on the dress. I’m half hard, fire burning in my veins. She adjusts herself, wiggles her hips, and picks up a jewel-studded mask from the counter. She places it over her face and spreads her hands.
“How’s this?”
I take a deep breath. “He’ll never recognize you.”
“That’s the goal.” She puts her hands on her waist. “But what about you? Do you recognize me?”