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I shake my head before putting on my jacket. “I’m fine. Seriously, stay. Enjoy yourself.”
Johnathan doesn’t look happy, but I can’t stay here for a second longer. The kiss that Daniel placed on my lips still burns. I find myself licking them.
Laura is watching me closely. “I’ll text when I’m home.” I fire over my shoulder. Outside, the air doesn’t help my racing heart. I tighten my jacket around me and look around for a taxi; instead, I find a security man I spotted in the club approaching me.
“Mr. O’Reagan has instructed me to give you a lift home.”
I snort and glance around, searching for the man in question. Mr. O’Reagan. It suits him. I knew he was made for something bigger than just dodgy deals.
“Tell Daniel I’m fine.” I keep walking, and when the security man follows me, I stop and spin.
“He insists.” He looks almost apologetic.
Like hell I was taking anything from him. He had grinned at me like I was nothing but some pining woman who would be delighted to jump into his bed. That kiss has my head jumbled. Sleeping with him would destroy me completely.
“I said no.” I wave down a taxi, and before the security man can say anything more, I jump in and rattle off my address.
Once the car is in motion, I lean against the headrest and close my eyes. Everything about him was formidable. Everything about Daniel always was. That’s why he got everyone to do his bidding. A look from him could either make you turn into a puddle at his feet or make you quiver in fear.
A shiver snakes around the base of my neck, and I open my eyes. He had asked about Eric, my baby brother.
I root my phone out of my purse and call him.
“What’s up, sis?” Eric answers, and relief crashes into me. I sit up straighter in the taxi.
“Are you in trouble?” I ask.
I can hear the sounds of his PlayStation in the background. “Give me a second,” he says to whomever he’s with. The noise grows distant. “No, why, what’s wrong?”
I glance out the window at the streetlights. Everything is wrong. Seeing Daniel, hearing him ask about my brother.
“Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Are you still working?”
He snorts down the phone. “Yeah, but I’d rather ….”
I cut him off and sit even straighter in my seat. “You will keep that job, Eric. I gave them my word that you were reliable.”
“Calm down, sis. Jesus, why are you always busting my balls? I haven’t missed a day. Don’t worry. Your perfect reputation is still intact.”
I close my eyes briefly. He can be a little shit at times, but he’s my baby brother, and I want to keep him as far away from our uncle as I can.
“Are you coming to Ma’s for dinner tomorrow?” he asks.
“Yeah. I’ll be there.” Sunday roast with my mother is something I hate. But it’s every Sunday, and it's a tradition.
“Get some sleep, and don’t stay much longer on the PlayStation.”
I hear the noise of the PlayStation returning. “Yeah, Ma.”
His sarcasm isn’t appreciated. Our mother wouldn’t care if he never got a job. In fact, I think she would be proud of him if he fell in with the family business. I know my being an accountant isn’t something she brags about.
“Love you,” I say.
“Love you too,” Eric mumbles before hanging up.
The taxi pulls up to my apartment complex on Boyne Road. I slip the driver a tenner and get back two euros in change. I slip from the taxi and walk across the dark parking lot. I have a horrible feeling of being watched and find myself glancing over my shoulder several times. I run the last few meters and feel foolish when I stand safely in the elevator that takes me to the fourth floor.
The key slides into my door, and I turn on the lights before bolting the door behind me.
