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I look at Rebel. He can tell it’s bad because I can’t find the words. I didn’t want to focus on the death before I could give them more answers. But since O’Malley called this morning and told me they’ve hit a dead end, I want us to look into it. I need Tye to dig into the priest’s background and see what it is he was hidin’. It had to be something serious to have gotten him killed.
“I found Donahue’s dead body a couple of nights ago,” I explain. “I’d called him twice, and when he didn’t answer, I went to his house. He’d been murdered.”
“Was that the night you and Miren went off on yer bike?” Sully asks.
Nodding, I look at him. “Aye, she wanted to see the priest. I couldn’t deny her since he was the one who asked us to take her in.”
“What happens now? Will O’Malley investigate?”
“He called this morning to tell me they’ve hit a dead end. Tye—”
“I’m on it, Pres,” he says with a salute.
“Anythin’ else?” I look around the room, and none of the others raise their hand. It’s been a tough few days, but we have to stay ahead of the shite before it hits us at home. I slam the gavel on the table and the screech of chairs echoes in the room. “Tye,” I call to my hacker. “Hang back.”
Once we’re alone, I motion for him to settle into Rebel’s seat for the moment. We each have our own seats around the table, and no member can sit in another’s without permission.
“I need you to do somethin’ for me. The others don’t have to know.”
“Anything,” he tells me.
“Miren. I need everythin’ you can find on her. And I mean everythin’. I don’t care if it’s sensitive, personal, or private. She’s hidin’ somethin’, and we need to know if she’s a threat. If she’s a mole, I want her dead.” Even as I say the words, I wonder if I could bring myself to kill her. I’ve never hurt a woman before, never considered harming one, but with Sinéad being the mastermind behind Ma’s death, I realise women are just as dangerous as men. At times, more so.
“I’ll work on it now. If I find something…”
“Bring it to me, I don’t care what time of the day it is,” I tell Tye who nods and pushes to his feet.
“No problem, Pres.”
When he leaves, I’m left alone in the room where we hold church every morning. Untangling all the shite with Patrick and his wife isn’t going to be easy. My focus is torn between revenge and Miren.
I would much rather be out on the open road than stuck indoors. Being on the bike calms me. Even the strip club doesn’t bring me joy anymore. Maybe I’m gettin’ too old for this shite.
But I opened O’Hagans because I wanted the men to have a place of sanctuary where they can enjoy themselves. But also, to bring in money for the club. Our only other revenue stream is dealing in weapons, which means the two shipments coming in would be essential for us, one to stock up and another to sell on. And Bragan, or his wife, would know that. Sighing, I push to my feet and head into the bar area where I spot Miren. She’s not working tonight. It’s time she and I had a little chat.
“Miren,” I call to her. Those eyes land on mine, and I notice the flicker of fear. “We need to talk.” I turn around and head back into the room where I settle in my chair. She needs to give me answers. I’m not goin’ta allow her to keep feckin’ secrets anymore. I’m done waitin’ around.
The moment she steps into the room, her feckin’ perfume follows along. When I got home the other night, I could smell it all over me. She’d been snuggled up against me on the bike on the drive to and from Donahue’s place, and I couldn’t get the fragrance off me.
“Sit.”
“Is something wrong?” The concern on her face creases her brows. Her mouth tilts downwards at the corners, but it doesn’t hide the beauty that shines from her.
“Tell me how you know Donahue, and don’t claim it’s because he’s been yer priest. I want to know why you were at Bragan’s house. And don’t give me the same story the priest told me.” I sit back and regard her. The flinch of her lashes, the way her hands curl in her lap is a clear indication that she’s worried. I may have found a weak link in her story. It’s Donahue. He may have told me she was kidnapped, but somethin’ doesn’t add up. The clothes she was wearin’ were expensive, that much I figured out. I asked Callia, and she confirmed it.
“I told you—”
“Don’t fuckin’ lie to me!” The roar of my voice would have been heard in the bar next door if not for the soundproofing. Miren cowers, which confirms my suspicions.
“Pres!” Suddenly, the door flies open, and Tye stalls all movement on the threshold of the room. His gaze flickers between Miren and me. He’s holdin’ onto pages that, I’m guessin’, contain the information I wanted.
“What is it?”
He looks concerned as he flicks his gaze between us. But I notice how he stares at Miren for a long moment, which sets me on edge. “I can come back.”
“What is it, Tye?” I enunciate each word slowly, but I don’t look at him, my focus is on the girl who’s trembling in the chair diagonally opposite me.
I turn my attention back to him, and I focus on the fact that he still hasn’t spoken up. I push to my feet and his stare turns to mine.
