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)
“He is. He is my brother.”
“Your older brother. It’s his job to care for you—to look after you—not the other way around.”
“I will pay his debt. I don’t want us owing you anything.”
He stood, fury dripping from his tone. “You don’t owe me anything.”
I stood as well, suddenly weary. “You know, I tell myself that all the time. But it’s a lie. I owe you everything, don’t I? You gave me the job in every hotel you own so I could learn how to run my own place. You let me sing because it makes me happy. I know you helped with the apartment I found. The driver that you insisted all the late-night employees get, yet I seem to be the only one who has it. I owe you for all that. And now Brian owes you money.” I met his angry gaze. “I will pay that debt, Finn.”
“You know why I do all those things, Una. You owe me nothing.”
“I can’t give you what you want.”
“I know, mo chroí,” he murmured sadly. “But it doesn’t change my feelings.”
“Please leave,” I whispered, my throat suddenly thick. It always affected me when he used that term. “I’ll get the money to you.”
“I will not accept it. This is Brian’s obligation. I only came to tell you so you knew the truth. I promised you the truth always.”
“I know.”
He stepped forward and wrapped me in his arms. For a moment, I allowed myself the indulgence of feeling his warmth. It was odd how safe I felt in the embrace of a ruthless crime lord. It was as if nothing could hurt me—which was so far from the truth it was laughable. Being anywhere near Finn O’Reilly’s orbit put me in danger. Even worse, it put him in danger as well.
Which was why I had to step back. Distance myself, even as I felt the physical pain of withdrawing from him.
“Please, Finn.”
“No. This is between Brian and me. Do not interfere, Una. Let him grow up and deal with the consequences of his actions.”
He stepped past me, stopping. For a moment, he said nothing, then he uttered my name. “Please, Una. I’m doing what is best.”
I looked up. “For whom?”
“Him. You. All of us.”
Then he pressed his mouth to my forehead, his lips lingering in a long, sweet caress.
And he was gone.
FINN
I sat in the darkness of my suite, whiskey in hand, staring out onto the bright lights of the city below me. Unlike Roman, who’d had a room here but lived elsewhere, this hotel was my home. I had a full suite on the top floor, larger than most condos in the city. It was totally self-contained, although I was the first to admit I rarely used the well-equipped kitchen, never once had sat at the dining table to eat, and the guest room had never been occupied. I had no life outside of my businesses, and it was wisest to live where I had access to everything I needed. I ran the hotel and casino. The warehouses and other office buildings I owned were used for various aspects of my world. Many illegal. I had trusted men who ran my operations. I had many people who paid for my protection. There were deals and bribes. Palms that needed to be greased daily.
I also had real businessmen who looked after my legal entities.
Many thought that being a member of a syndicate was dangerous and exciting. While at times it was dangerous, it was more paperwork and overseeing than anything. I had people who did the reinforcing when needed. My reputation helped keep that to a minimum. I ruled with a strong, firm hand, making sure to keep those around me in line. The ones who chose not to follow were eliminated. It kept me safe, and it kept all the others depending on me safe as well.
But it wasn’t my businesses on my mind right now. It was the woman I’d held earlier. The one who was permanently etched into my heart and wanted nothing I could offer her—too afraid of the consequences of loving me.
I sighed as I drained my drink, then poured two more fingers of the whiskey into my glass. I shut my eyes, letting my thoughts drift back to the day I first met Una Murphy.
I made a habit of knowing my men’s families. Making sure they were looked after. Jim Murphy was from the old regime, but he was loyal and trustworthy. I went to his house as a guest. He had invited me for dinner, and I made sure to accept those sorts of invitations when extended. It gave me a chance to see my men be themselves. See how they interacted with their own family. It told me a great deal about the sort of person they were.