Page 41 of Finn

“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.”