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“Yeah, I know. I’ve just been busy hunting her down. I’m determined to find her. Wherever she is.”
Vinnie scoffs and shakes his head while he walks over to his impressive drink collection. I suppose it’s a good thing that he pours two.
I’m not out on my ass.
Yet.
“You need to get hold of her, Owen,” he warns. “Within a week. Shit will hit the fan if we don’t find her. Shit is already hitting the fan if I’m honest with you.”
I sip my drink, wondering how much I can ask.
I need to know everything, but I also can’t give myself away.
“So… how soon?” I ask tentatively. “What shit are we talking about?”
“The O’Connells owe me a lot of money.” Vinnie’s expression darkens. “And this is my answer. They won’t pay me back any other way, so this is what I’m going to do. Sell Emma back to them. Or to the Flynns, I don’t give a shit who wants her. I know she’s supposed to marry that Rickie guy, right? That’s what rumors say, anyway. So I can get my money from them instead. As long as I get it, I don’t care who pays up, you know?”
“Oh… I haven’t heard any of that.”
Vinnie won’t see through that lie. Why would I have heard a damn thing?
I’m on the outside looking in.
“Yeah, well that’s why I need her. And I have to have hernow. I don’t know where that bitch is hiding, but I need her with me now.”
I nod along, trying not to show any emotion here.
Feelings have no place in this world.
If only I’d followed that rule…
“Well, I will up my game,” I promise Vinnie, hoping he doesn’t see the lie. “I will have my ears to the streets and see what I can pick up on. Nothing will get by me.”
“Thatiswhy I hired you, Owen,” Vinnie reminds me. “Because you’re the best of the best, right? You usually get things done quick.”
Shit.
I knew he’d be pissed off with me, but this sucks.
Not just because of my reputation anymore… that doesn’t matter as much as it used to.
Emma matters more.
“Well, you better get out of here, am I right?” Vinnie shoots me a pointed look. “You need to go and find this woman before she slips through your fingers. If someone else gets their hands on her, then we’re fucked.”
I’mfucked, that’s what he really means.
If I don’t do a good job on this, then that’ll be the end of me.
I knew that when I signed up for this job—it’s always the deal—but I didn’t expect to fail at it as epically as I have.
Now, I can’t evenbeginto imagine walking in here with Emma and handing her over for Vinnie and Rickie to do what they want.
She’s not their plaything.
Emma deserves so much more than that.
“Yep, good. I will see you soon then.”
