AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Where were you?” she asked, getting in the front. “I almost got a cab.”
“Figured you’d need the time to calm down,” Strat said. “Cool off. Guess that brother of yours didn’t talk any sense into you.”
“Have you heard?”
“That Manzani junior is laid up? Yeah. I took you to the hospital.”
“No,” she said. “From Conn?”
“We don’t keep in touch.”
“From Niall, from anyone. Geez, Strat, what’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? Yeah, I got the call about Vex from like five guys before your cop got a clue. It’s serious shit, Ser. Serious. I wouldn’t let my Immie be anywhere near this kinda crap. What’s wrong with you? You should run a mile.”
Maybe he was right. “Weren’t you the one who said I needed a bad boy?”
“No, I said they turned you on. Given what you and the boss spent the weekend doing, I think we know I’m right. But when does sense kick in? You’re lucky, damn lucky, McDade didn’t kill him. I’m fucking shocked he didn’t. Never heard of him being light on the trigger… Did you talk to him? Ask him not to take Manzani out?”
“You think he’d listen if I did?”
“We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors… The guys were… McDade’s never done it, locked the door on him and a woman. Niall grew up at his side. The boss has never had a singular focus like he does with you.”
“He doesn’t have a singular focus,” she said. Though three days and nights beneath him probably suggested otherwise to his men. “I didn’t know he was going after Evander tonight.” Though she’d suspected he could be the worm Niall referenced. “He didn’t tell me and I didn’t ask.”
“You’ve got the moll thing down already,” he said and flashed her a smile. “I get on your case because I care about you.”
“I know.”
“My little girl doesn’t listen to me either, I’m used to it.”
“I know,” she said and sighed. “But Imogen doesn’t put you in the line of fire. I’m sorry you ended up in this, watching my ass. I know you didn’t want this.”
“It was my choice,” he said. “Told you that you weren’t walking in there alone.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t know you’d walk out promising to take a bullet for me.”
“Think I needed McDade money to make that promise?” he asked. “You’re a good kid. And just as screwed up as the rest of us.”
She smiled and propped an elbow on the door. “You think Connel’s okay?”
“I know he’s at the club,” Strat said. “Means either he’s fine or he’s…”
Dead? Dying? It didn’t bear thinking about. He wouldn’t, would he? Get himself that injured for her? For pride? It was becoming clear being with a man like Connel wasn’t just unpredictable or extreme, it was dangerous too.
And she didn’t mean for her.
Him. People would always come for him. Did she want to be the one sitting at home waiting for a call? Thank God their relationship was temporary. He’d said it was on until he was done with her. Should she be speeding that end along? If she got attached, how easy would it be to walk away?
FIFTEEN
WHEN STRAT STOPPED outside Stag, she leaped out of the car without saying a word. Yes, it was rude, but he knew she was worried. He’d get it. He didn’t call to her… or at least she didn’t hear him.
Security moved, letting her run inside, but when she got to the stairs, the guys there didn’t budge, bringing her to a screeching halt.
“Move,” she said, glancing back and forth at them. “Please.”
“Not up here, sweetheart.”
