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“Take this. I want to make sure you can get anything you need. The front desk will get you anything you ask for and they’ll bill it to my account, but if you go anywhere this should keep you going for a few days.”
It didn’t seem like he was giving me a choice and when I reluctantly took it, I knew it was more than I could ever need in a month.
“Thank you. This means a lot to me,” I whispered gratefully.
“Let’s get you to your hotel so you can get some rest. I’m sure you’re tired,” Kieran added, and I nodded.
The two of them led me out of the pub and into a waiting limo. I relaxed in the backseat as the car pulled away. It was dark by now and we drove a few blocks before we came to a stop in front of a fancy-looking boutique hotel.
“I really appreciate this. Thank you for helping me understand what was going on and giving me the answers that I needed,” I smiled.
“Anytime, Caitlin,” Leah smiled as she squeezed my arm. Her easygoing nature made her really nice to be around and I knew that we’d be close friends if I ended up sticking around.
“Your phone?” Kieran asked, holding out his hand expectantly. I reached into my pocket, and he plucked it from my fingers. He tapped the screen a few times before passing it back to me.
“I’ve programmed my number and Leah’s into your phone. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like, so don’t worry about checking out or anything like that,” he smiled.
“Thank you,” I replied appreciatively.
“One last thing,” he paused. I looked into his icy blue eyes, comforted by their soft gentle nature. “Give my brother a chance. He’ll figure it out.”
I nodded, but I didn’t respond. Instead, I climbed out of the car and smiled back at them. Leah waved and I turned, walking into the hotel. Just like Kieran had said, the front desk nodded with casual recognition when I gave his name and led me up to a luxury suite on the top floor.
By the time I was safely inside the room, the full weight of the day hit me, and I yawned with exhaustion. I didn’t even get undressed before I climbed into the massive king bed. I was fast asleep in moments.
I’d deal with the fallout tomorrow.
CHAPTER18
Cormac
What was hell was I doing?
I wasn’t a good man. I was a monster. Everything I touched turned to ash and it was simply a matter of time until the same thing happened to Caitlin.
I was supposed to be protecting her and I’d pulled her into my dangerous world instead.
My guilt was eating me up from the inside out and I couldn’t drink enough to make it go away. I swirled the whiskey in my glass, causing the spherical ball of ice to clink against the side. I stared at the amber liquid as it circled, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Just this morning, one of my men had gotten shot. It was supposed to be a routine check in on a gun shipment that had been due for arrival at the main shipping port. Somehow, the Russian bratva had found out about it before we did, which meant that they arrived first.
They hadn’t taken our goods, but the fight hadn’t been easy. The Russians were well trained and strong, plus they didn’t cower the second you pressed a gun to their heads. Ultimately, we’d been able to take them down, but not without a few injuries to my soldiers. One of them had to be rushed to the hospital for immediate care after taking a bullet through the right side of his throat.
Things were touch and go for a little while. After an emergency surgery, he was through the worst of it, but that was probably because the local doctors answered to us and took him right away. He’d probably be dead if I hadn’t forced him to the front of the line myself. He’d have bled out right there in the waiting room.
What if it was Caitlin next time?
This was exactly the sort of life Finn wanted to take her away from and here I was dragging her right back into it. The mafia world was a treacherous one, even here in Boston. The exact same thing could kill Caitlin, just like it had her mother. I was supposed to be protecting her, not falling in love with her.
I should send her away from here. Maybe put her through college somewhere where she would be safe. The thought was enough to make me grimace. I didn’t want to do that, even though a part of me knew that I should. It was selfish of me, but I wanted to keep her here with me.
The picture had been enough to remind me of my promise. I should have told her everything when she’d asked, but I couldn’t. It was too hard. Even now, my emotions were getting the best of me.
Hidden amongst my feelings of guilt were sharp pangs of sorrow. I hadn’t really grieved the loss of her father. I’d spent years mourning Nora’s death and that still hurt just as much as the day she’d died in my arms. They say time heals all wounds, but that doesn’t really apply to losing family. She had been just as much of a sister to me as my own flesh and blood, Ada.
I tipped back the glass, downing the rest of the double shot and enjoying the fiery burn as it descended into my belly. My phone rang and I glanced at it with disdain, not really feeling like talking to anyone.
It was Kieran.
