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)
“That sounds ominous.”
“Brian Murphy.”
I shut my eyes. “What now?”
“He picked a fight with one of the crew. It took Oliver and me to pull him off. He was high, Finn. Out of his mind on something.”
“Fuck,” I muttered. I had a zero tolerance for drugs. “When did he start on that shit?”
“You mentioned he seemed off. Oliver noticed his behavior too.” He sighed. “He mouthed off, disrespectful and belligerent. Then basically told us to fuck off—he was done. He had a lot of anger in his departing words.”
“You let him walk?”
“I had no idea on your policy for crew. I didn’t run mine the way the elders did.”
I knew what he meant. There was no retirement package in the old days unless you left in a box. Now, we handled things differently, but I had never had anyone leave this way. A few who wanted something different were allowed to go and relocate, but I still had their loyalty. I’d never had Brian’s. I never would.
“I’ll deal with him when I return. Make sure he has zero access.”
“Everything—passcodes, locks, security, anything he might have known, has been changed. He was checked before he left the building, and he walked with nothing.”
“Have you told Una?”
“No. I was waiting for your direction.”
“I’ll let her know. She might already have heard since he’d run to her first with a cover story.”
“Ah. It’s like that, is it?”
“She protects him. Always has.”
“I know a bit about that. Effie had a sister…” He cleared his throat. “It didn’t end well.”
I scrubbed my face. “Hmm. Watch over her carefully.”
“Will do. If it’s any comfort, no one is upset he is gone. Apparently his attitude has been bad, and he’s not missed.”
I ran a hand through my hair as I stared at the busy street around me. “I won’t miss dealing with him. I did my duty to Jim,” I confessed. I stood. “I’m heading back to the hospital. I’ll check in again in a couple of days.”
“Right.” He hung up.
I sighed as I headed back to the small gray building. I probably would have handled it the same way as Roman. I wouldn’t kill Brian, although he would probably have been taught a lesson for the disrespect. I wondered what he would tell Una or how she would react when I called her.
I reached the hospital, putting it out of my mind. I had more important things to think on now.
Roisin opened her eyes that evening. She was confused, weak, and could barely speak, but it was a step in the right direction. The next morning, she was brighter, actually smiling, her color better. I hoped we were over the worst of it and that she would continue to improve. I sat beside her after sending Niall to the hotel for a shower and some much-needed sleep. I stroked her hand, smiling as she clucked her tongue at me, her voice tremulous and raw. Her speech pattern was slow and she hesitated over her words, but the doctor hoped with therapy and time she would recover.
“You need rest too.”
“Hush, Aunt. I’m fine.”
“I have…a different opinion…on that.”
I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn’t be so lippy. You’re the one lying in the hospital.” I picked up her hand and kissed the knuckles. “If you wanted a visit so bad, you only had to ask.”
She huffed and was quiet for a moment. “How’s that…redheaded beauty of yours?”
I frowned. “Not mine.”
She huffed again. “Still on that…nonsense, are we?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Your generation makes it…complicated,” she mumbled.
“Is that so?” I replied with a smile. Even though she could barely keep her eyes open and her speech was slow, Roisin was determined to tell me off.
“If you love her, tell her.”
“She knows.”
“Then…what’s the problem?”
My aunt knew what I did. Who I was. She had lived through it herself and didn’t shy away from the truth.
“My world.”
She attempted to roll her eyes, but since they were half shut, it didn’t really have the proper effect.
“Go to sleep, Aunt. Stop meddling.”
She squeezed my fingers after a fashion and, with a sigh, fell asleep.
I quietly rose from the uncomfortable chair and walked to the window. It was an overcast gray day. I glanced at my watch, knowing Una would be home, getting ready to head to the hotel later for her performance.
I dialed her number, simply the sound of her soft hello easing something in me.
“Una,” I murmured.
“Oh, Finn. How is she?”
“Awake. Weak. Stubborn as hell.”
“You sound exhausted.”
“I am,” I admitted. It was something I would only tell her. “Shattered.”
“You need to rest.”
“I have to look after Niall. Roisin.”
“Who is looking after you?”
“This call has helped.” I leaned my head on the glass. “I miss you, mo chroí.”
“Oh, Finn,” she whispered again.
I’d planned to tell her about Brian, but I couldn’t. This call was about her. Me. Us. I didn’t want him in the middle yet again. I would call her tomorrow while I was alone.