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Iwatch Babydoll walk away with a lump in my throat as I can’t help but think she won’t be back.
I fucked up, so I did.
I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was so very wrong. I should have told Babydoll the truth as hearing it from her father and Sean was the worst possible way she could have found out. I hurt her, and she has every right to hate me.
I suppose whatever fate is headed my way, I’ll accept, as I’ve brought this onto myself.
“Bout ye, Darcy?” I ask as I walk up the drive.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call first,” she says, brushing a strand of hair behind her ears. “But I heard aboutThe Craic’s 90. I wanted to make sure yer okay, but I can see that yer not.”
When she reaches out, attempting to examine the stitches across my eyebrow, I recoil. It’s a force of habit with anyone, bar Babydoll.
I don’t want to be rude to Darcy as she’s the reason I’m a free man. But I can only offer her friendship. “I’m fine. I’ve got to go, though. I’m sorry.”
Darcy pretends my brush-off doesn’t affect her and smiles. “That’s all right. Is there anything I can do to help?”
I’m about to tell her no when I get an idea.
“Do ya think ye’d be able to get information on the real estate Brody owns?”
Darcy smirks. “Absolutely. I’ll get it to you today.”
Another thought occurs. “What about abandoned properties? Or buildings which should be abandoned but yer da turns a blind eye to?”
Darcy nods. “Aye, I can get that organized for ya. Why would ya be wantin’ that?”
She is helping me, so I do owe her an explanation. “’Cause there’s someone besides Brody I’m huntin’,” I explain, not wanting to reveal too much. “I need to know if he’s using any of yer da’s buildings as his own personal headquarters.”
Sean is somewhere close. I know it. The best way to find out where he is, is by having a list of possible locations. I can’t wait for him to call Ronan with the next meeting details. I need to strike now.
“I’ll get everything over to ya as soon as I can,” Darcy says, knowing better than to press.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I don’t want to scare ya, but…be careful, will ya?”
“I don’t scare easy, but I will,” she replies, getting into her car. “I’ll be in touch once I have everythin’ ya asked for.”
Nodding, I watch as she starts the engine and descends the drive. Once she’s gone, I sigh as I’m already knackered, and it’s not even ten o’clock yet. My phone sounds, and I see it’s a text from Brody.
Noon. Come alone.
Ironically, I trust Brody because we want the same thing, but working with him kills me. To get what I want, I have to trust the man I hate just as much as Sean. But Brody is less dangerous. Sean has the ability to cause irreparable damage.
He already has.
Walking into my empty house, I send Hannah a text and bend to her wishes of decorating my home however she wishes. I don’t expect Babydoll to be back, but just in case.
Hannah texts back an array of happy emojis.
I know she’ll work her magic, and when I return, I won’t recognize the place.
I shower and get ready for my meeting with Brody, not that I can prepare for the unexpected. Even though I doubt I’ll need it, I reach into the chimney of the brick fireplace where I’ve hidden the bag of weapons and grab the flick knife.
Placing it into my boot, I leave my credit card for Hannah in the bedroom and lock up. She has her own key, so she can come over when she’s ready. Jumping into my truck, I commence the journey I never thought I’d travel again.
I’m on edge, checking my surroundings to ensure I’m not being followed. Sean’s ballsy attack proves he’s not afraid to make his motivations very public. But I think he’s laying low, waiting and watching to see how I respond to his attack.
I too am waiting as today’s meeting will determine the future.
