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)
I supposed I’d find out soon enough.
CHAPTER SIX
FINN
There was a quiet knock at my door, and I smiled at Una’s punctuality.
“In,” I called.
She entered, bringing with her the sun. Figuratively, of course, although I swore the room got brighter when she entered it—any room. She had an aura of light around her.
“You wanted to see me?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
I indicated the chair in front of my desk. “Sit, please.”
She did so, crossing her legs. I tried not to ogle her, no doubt failing. The uniform for the hotel was simple. Light-colored blouses or shirts, deep-green skirts or pants. A waistcoat if you wanted. A necktie was optional, but today, not only was Una wearing a skirt, she had a flirty little bow tied around the neckline of her cream-colored blouse. And she had chosen one of the lacier blouses we offered, making her look feminine and sexy. Her hair was gathered up off her face, hanging down her back in a cascade of bright-red curls. She was irresistible.
She cleared her throat, and I had to grin. She’d caught me.
Patiently, she waited and I sobered. “I wanted to ask how you were.”
“You did so this morning.”
“With George present. You know what I mean.”
“I’m fine.” She hesitated. “Brian came to see me yesterday to apologize for his behavior.”
“I see. I saw him this morning, and he thanked me for giving him another chance.” I withheld the information that I’d grabbed him by the collar and threatened to end him if he ever so much as touched her again. He knew I was serious and assured me he would never do so again—although I didn’t like the look in his eye or his attitude. He was on edge and almost twitchy. He wasn’t to be trusted anymore, and I wondered how much longer he’d be part of the crew. Something was going to give—one of us would snap.
“Oh.” She leaned forward, looking pleased. “Maybe this has shaken him up, Finn. He’ll do better. Stand on his own two feet.”
“I don’t share your enthusiasm, but for your sake and his, I hope so.”
“He could,” she insisted.
Unable to resist the draw anymore, I stood, rounding the desk and sitting beside her. “Una, your father used to call you intuitive. He said you could read a person instantly, and he was right. I see how you sum up a guest. You always know the ones who need extra attention. More pandering. You gravitate toward the right people for friends. Your instincts serve you well for everyone—except your brother. Your love for him blinds you to his faults.” To take the sting from my words, I reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “And he is so lucky to have you in his corner. I only hope he is all you think he can be and that he doesn’t let you down.”
She closed her hand over mine, holding it in place. “I have to,” she whispered. “He is all I have left in this world.”
“No, you have me,” I whispered back. “You will always have me, mo chroí. Let me in again. Try. I promise you will be safe. I will keep you safe.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t, Finn. They shot you in front of me. And your men. Trying to get to me. I made you vulnerable, and I couldn’t live with myself if you died because of me.”
I wiped away the tears under her eyes. “I’m already half dead living without you.”
“Move on and find someone else.”
“I can’t. I love you, Una. I will always love you. That is never going to change.”
“Then I need to go.”
“No,” I demanded, tamping down my panic at the thought of her gone. “You stay here. Close. I won’t bother you.”
She stood, bending and pressing a kiss to my head. She held my eyes, then walked to the door. “That’s the problem, Finn. You never bother me. But I can’t—I can’t do that again. I’m sorry.”
And she walked out.
Early evening faded into night as I sat in my office. Niall was out of the building, and no one bothered me as I stared out the window, drinking whiskey and thinking. Remembering when we started. How bright and complete my world felt.
I had wined and dined Una for a week. A week of conversations over the table. Texts and calls. I went for a couple of runs with her. We didn’t talk much, but I did enjoy the way it felt to be by her side, our pace matching once I shortened my stride a little. I teased her about it, making her laugh, which, in turn, made me smile. I did love her laugh. I also liked how her ass looked in her tight leggings, but I kept that information to myself.