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 know and I appreciate it. I’ll deal with him once and for all.” I scrubbed my face, knowing what that meant. Wishing more than ever I could grab Una and run with her, leaving everything else behind. I wasn’t sure how she would handle this news.
“Let someone else deal with that,” Roman advised. “Don’t lose what you have because of him.”
“Is that what you did with Effie’s sister?” I asked, curious.
He cleared his throat. “Her sister was trying to kill her when I got to them. She shot me and was about to shoot my wife. Aldo took her out.”
I was stunned into silence. Finally, I spoke. “I see.”
“I would have taken the shot without question if I had been able to. I would like to think Effie would have forgiven me for that, but I’m glad I didn’t have to find out. Let someone else handle it, Finn. That’s my advice.”
“Noted. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hung up, troubled. I wandered into the bedroom, gazing down at Una. How, I wondered, would she take the news? Would she beg me to give him yet another chance? Would she understand? Or would she hate me if we discovered it was indeed Brian behind the arson and the new gang?
Would she walk away—this time for good?
I hung my head. Somehow, I had a feeling I already knew the answer.
The next morning, Una was shy, not meeting my eyes, looking away when she felt my gaze on her. I found it incredibly endearing that after all the ways I had taken her, the mirror incident was making her feel exposed. I found it sexy. But then again, I found everything about her sexy.
I had woken her early this morning, kissing her awake, my cock already nudging at her entrance. She woke fully with a groan, wrapping her legs around me, bringing my cock deep inside. We rocked together, our bodies joined everywhere—chest to chest, hip to hip, mouth to mouth. It was slow and tender, and our orgasms crested close. The feel of her wrapped around my cock tightly had driven me over the edge, and I groaned my release into her neck as she shook under me.
We arrived at the airport on time and boarded quickly, the perks of owning my own plane a bonus. After takeoff, we had coffee and pastries, and I stared out the window, lost in thought.
Movement caught my eye, and I looked up, seeing Una studying me. I had been ignoring her, but her gaze was warm and open. No judgment or anger.
“Hi,” she said quietly. “You’ve got a lot on your mind.”
I sighed, knowing I had to talk to her.
I unclipped my seat belt, leaning close and taking her hands. “Una.”
She tilted her head. “I don’t like that tone.”
“I promised you honesty. Always.”
“You did. Something bad is going on in Toronto, isn’t it?”
I told her what Roman had reported.
Then I said one word. “Brian.”
“What does a rogue gang have to do with him?” she asked. “You think he’s behind this?”
I explained about the drugs, his aggression, plus the fact that he had walked out.
As if it were a regular nine-to-five job.
Una knew better.
“And you allowed that.” She paused and swallowed. “Because of me.”
“I wasn’t there, and Roman didn’t want to overstep. He, ah, knows the complications there are about Brian.”
Her eyes widened. “He was fidgety and tense the last time I saw him. Jittery.” She looked angry. “I can’t believe he’s doing drugs. Dad always lectured both of us about that. Stay away from drugs. Too much alcohol. Use protection.”
My eyebrows flew up, and she smiled. “That was directed at Brian more than me.”
I smiled at her attempt at levity. I could see the pain in her eyes.
“Brian muttered something about a new venture with his roommate.” She furrowed her brow. “Did he quit too? Juan?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know a Juan.”
“Oh. I assumed he was on the crew and that was how Brian knew him.”
“No.” But the name made me pause. Hadn’t there been a Juan when I’d gone to see Lopez? Some young kid in the background. Was it a coincidence?
“Una,” I began, but she shook her head.
“You tell me all the time that things have changed. People leave. They decide the life isn’t for them, and you let them go.” Her voice held a note of desperation.
“Yes.” I leaned closer, a hint of irritation seeping into my tone. “After conversations, when rules are laid out and complete respect and loyalty are shown.” I shook my head. “Your brother has never shown either of those things—especially after your dad passed.”
“He died because he was protecting you,” she whispered.
I reared back. “And I looked after him. He showed me loyalty, and I showed him the same thing.”
“But he died and you’re alive.”
“Your father was a good soldier, Una. He did his duty, and he knew the risks. He’d taken them for years before me.” I stared at her. “You said you understood. I thought you didn’t blame me.”