My throat constricted and I cleared it. “Yes, go ahead.”
The line went dead, and I stared at the screen of my phone, which slipped back to the home picture of me and Sloan at my eighteenth birthday party. The trust my uncle had put in me to make decisions like this had me floating high on adrenaline. The blood in my veins pumped so loudly it sounded like a jet engine in my ears. My head pounded from the thrill.
“I did that,” I whispered, staring at my phone in wonder. “Was it okay? It wasn’t too obvious, was it?”
“You did that.” Daire reached over to pat me on the shoulder. “A little obvious, but that’s all right. You’ll get more chances to practice.”
I turned my head toward him, and his hand rose to my cheek, fingers caressing my skin gently. The act was intimate and mybreath caught. As though he realized his mistake, he yanked his hand away and gripped the wheel again, focusing on the road.
My insides lit up with a mixture of pleasure and need, the warmth of his fingers still lingering on my cheek. This was the second time in two days he’d touched me outside of sex. I didn’t know what had changed, but I drank in every tiny bit of affection Daire gave me, even if it was foolish.
My heart ached and so did my soul, the deep need growing inside me, even though I wanted to tamp it down and move on, find someone who would love me in return. What was wrong with me? I’d told Daire not to talk to me unless it was about work, and within an hour, I’d faltered.
Maybe Iwasweak.
5
DAIRE
I exhaled, extended my arms, and then inhaled, dropping toward the floor as I finished another push-up, muscles straining and skin soaked with sweat. It was freezing outside, and I had my penthouse’s heater set to seventy-five degrees, the steamy air fogging the floor-to-ceiling windows that usually looked out at Manhattan’s skyline. I kept exercising until I hit four hundred push-ups, my arms shaking before I shoved to my feet. My chest rose and fell in fast, sharp breaths, and my heart raced, thumping loud and hard against my ribs.
“Are you done?” Aodhan asked in a bored tone.
I rolled my eyes and my gaze landed on my brother lounging on the couch in front of me, one leg crossed over his knee and arms lying across the back. Sinead and Oona sat on either side of him, both curled up and snoozing. I wasn’t surprised that they’d been captured by Aodhan’s charm, even though they hadn’t seen him in years.
“What has you worked up? The little kitten? You know, Sloan’s nephew?”
“Don’t call him a kitten.” I raised my chin and ran my hands over my arms, gathering the sweat that beaded there, then wiped it on my shorts. “He’s the boss’s apprentice and the future of the Company.”
“And?” Aodhan grinned. He bent his fingers like claws and made a high-pitched hissing noise. “Kitten.”
I decided it was time to change the topic.
“Do Cillian and Aspen know you’re here?” I asked instead, referring to two of Sloan’s best killers. They worked directly under Jamie Shannon, Lieutenant of Illegal Operations, and were some of the most brutal soldiers the Company had. Their work was top-notch, and if Sloan ever wanted answers from someone, he would send them.
Aodhan’s smile slid off his face, and for the first time since he’d arrived back home, his expression turned furious. “Why would I tell those traitors I was back? They’ll run to their boss and lick his ass like they always do.”
I smirked and raised my arms up over my head, then rocked my body side to side to stretch before dropping my arms again. “Sounds like you’re jealous of Sloan.”
“Jealous?” He laughed abruptly. “That piece of shit?—”
“Aodhan,” I warned carefully. “He’s still my best friend.”
He made a noise of irritation and moved his leg so both his feet were on the floor before leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He wore a simple pair of workout shorts and a plain black T-shirt with no shoes, but he still looked like he’d walked off a runway. I’d always been envious of my brother’s charisma.
“Cillian and Aspen chose to betray me to Sloan. I was stupid enough to trust them, but it won’t happen again.”
“He’s their boss. You’d gone off the rails and were doing thingson your ownwithout consulting him. Killing people without Sloan’s permission, then expecting the Company to stand behind you if the shit hit the fan. The only thing thatsaved you was that you’re my brother.” I shook my head. “Cillian and Aspen didn’t have that luxury. They did what they were supposed to do—be loyal to the Company. Whenanyonejoins this business, Sloan comes first. Always.”
“I’m aware. Even my own brother chose him over me.” Bitterness filled his tone. I ignored it. “From what I heard, he has a new pet.”
I groaned. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Aodhan’s cockiness was back, and he winked. “What do you say I test this pet’s loyalty, too?”
I pointed at him. “The last time you did that, I had to beg Sloan for your life, and you got yourself kicked out of this city. You’re lucky he was in the mood to show mercy. You aren’t even allowed on this coast.”
“Worth it. Adrian had a nice, tight hole.” He chuckled.
