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)
Who was there for her?
“May I get you something?” I asked. “Maybe you could sit for a while.”
She frowned. “Sit?” she echoed. “I have to make sure all is being handled.”
“Your brother should be helping,” I said, feeling annoyed.
She smiled sadly. “Brian misses Dad terribly. He needs his friends right now.”
“What do you need?” I asked before I could think.
She blinked. “I’m fine.”
I highly doubted that. I reached for her elbow, and she let me escort her to an empty table. “Sit.”
I headed to the buffet table, marveling at the food laid out. I filled a plate and carried it back to her, then got two coffees and brought them over. I sat next to her, pushing the plate closer. “Eat, please.”
She looked shocked. “You don’t have to wait on me, Mr.—” At my glare, she cleared her throat. “Finn. I’m fine.”
“Good. Then eat a sandwich.”
She picked up an egg salad, nibbling on it. I took one, devouring it in two bites. “Tasty,” I observed. “Different.”
“I add horseradish,” she said absently.
“You made the food?”
“Most of it. A few neighbors helped.”
I sighed. “Why didn’t you have it catered?”
She frowned. “It wasn’t necessary. Besides, Dad always liked my cooking. It felt as if it was the final thing I could do for him.”
The last sentence was spoken so quietly and with so much emotion, it hit me in the chest.
“Una,” I said gently, taking her hand again.
She let out a small sigh, a tremor coursing through her.
“Tell me what you need.”
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “I’ll get through today and make sure everything is in order, then I’m going back to work.”
“Good. Still planning on that hotel?”
“Yes. I have more learning to do, but I’m getting there.”
I glanced down, surprised to see our fingers still entangled. I didn’t want to let go of her. I wanted more time. I was shocked to realize I wanted a lot of things with Una Murphy. But I knew I had to move carefully.
“I have an offer for you.”
She frowned. “Oh?”
“May I take you to dinner tomorrow to discuss it?”
“Um…” she whispered, trying to withdraw her hand.
“Please,” I added.
“Okay.”
I drained my whiskey, standing and shaking my head to clear it of the memories.
That had been the start of our journey. One that began slowly, ended quickly, yet was never going to stop—at least for me.
CHAPTER FOUR
UNA
When my second set was done, I changed and hurried to the waiting car, anxious to get home. I lived in a small complex in Etobicoke. Mine was an older building with only sixteen units in the four-floor structure. There were three other buildings, and we shared a parking lot. We actually had trees and grass around the area, and the buildings were close to a park. It was quiet and safe, and I liked it. I didn’t own a car, but Brian used my spot. It was an easy walk to the subway, which I used daily, except for the late nights when a driver was provided to take me home. I had to admit, I was always grateful not to have to take public transit and walk home at that time of the night.
Finn had told me about the building when I’d mentioned I planned on moving, and when I went to see it, I was pleased at how nice it was. I put in an application, thrilled when I was accepted. It took me a while to realize one of his companies owned the entire complex and Finn had made sure I got this place. It was just another debt I owed him.
But right now, I was concerned about something else. Something far more severe.
Inside my apartment, I headed to Brian’s room, ignoring the dirty dishes in the sink and the leftover food containers on the counter. I knocked on his door, not bothering to wait for him to tell me to come in.
I pushed it open, snapping on the light. Brian groaned from the bed, obviously not happy about being woken up.
“Fuck, Una. I’m sleeping. Whatever it is can wait.”
I crossed the room, pushing on his shoulder. “No, it can’t.”
He rolled over, grimacing in pain. I stepped back at the sight of his bruised face.
He pulled himself up, running a hand through his hair. His chest was marked as well, wrapped in bandages, the dark bruises peeking out from the wrap.
“Holy shit,” I breathed out.
Brian reached for a cigarette, and I slapped his hand away. “I told you no smoking in the apartment.”
He rolled his eyes, picking up a piece of gum and chewing. “It’s been a bad day.”
I shook my head. “What were you thinking, Brian? Gambling?”
He huffed out a dry laugh. “Oh, so he told you, did he?”
“He did.”
He slid from the bed, holding out his arms. “Look what the bastard did.”
“He could have let the other guy punish you. You wouldn’t be standing.” I swallowed hard. “Or breathing.”