Chapter 17

Laine

What is happening? I was in the middle of ripping a strip off the man currently ruining my life, and now I'm not even sure I've got the right guy.

That's so unlike me.

Usually, I have a sixth sense to read criminal men, and I use it to choose my clients carefully. Not every person who colors outside the lines is an evil man, just like not every upstanding pillar of the community is good.

Fifty shades of gray.

That was a statement, not a reference to the books. Still, I look at Tag with that phrase in my mind and have to shove down the images it creates in my mind down before he sees that my girl parts are distracting me from the point.

Right. The point is that I want my sixty grand.

Tag picks up his fork and continues with his breakfast. "We'll figure this out. Aiden is on his way in, and we'll find out what happened."

"Do you think your ex-girlfriend would take it?"

He stops chewing and sends me a look. "My ex?"

"Yeah, the bitter bitch with the red hair."

He makes a face and sets his utensils down. "She told you she is my ex?"

I arch a brow. "Not in so many words, but it was obvious. She might as well have pissed on the rugs to mark her territory."

"And with that unattractive image now burned in my head…" Bryan moves to the serving tray set out by the door and sets down his dirty dishes.

"I told you she was being a bitch," Finn says.

Tag presses his napkin to his lips. "Leave her to me. I'm not sure why she was here or what kind of game she was playing, but I assure you, Siobhan won't be an issue going forward."

I swallow. "You won't kill her, will you?"

Tag flashes me an incredulous look. "Are you honestly asking me something so asinine?"

Based on his annoyance and repulsion at my suggestion, I guess not. "Sorry. I may have watched too many episodes of the Sopranos."

His stern look of disapproval eases a little. "I'm no Tony Soprano, I promise you."

Finn chuckles. "You're more Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders."

The heat of embarrassment is climbing my neck when Tag's blond brute of a best friend comes in to join us. He takes one look at me and his expression tightens. "You wanted to speak to me, boss?"

Tag pushes his chair back and turns to Aiden. "Did you pick up Laine's belongings at the Gilford Inn as I asked you last night?"

Aiden frowns, shifting uncomfortably. "Aye, I did."

"And did you have Siobhan take it up to her this morning?"

He sighs. "I did."

"Why?"

I appreciate him being annoyed about the woman, but I'm much more interested in finding my money. I'm about to say so when Finn places a gentle hand over my wrist. The squeeze is gentle and the shake of his head almost imperceptible.

Fine. I'll let him handle it.

"Last night was upsetting. I thought maybe a feminine ear might make her more comfortable."

Tag's jaw clenches. "Try again, mate. You've never been able to lie to me, so I don't know why you're trying now."

Aiden meets Tag's gaze and frowns. "Can we talk in your office? It would be best to discuss this in private."

"Och, no. Not this time," Tag replies firmly, his eyes not leaving Aiden's face. "Whatever you did, and for whatever reason, if it doesn't stand up to the light of day, you shouldn't have done it."

Aiden rubs a hand over his jaw and stares at me. "All right. If you want to do this here. I found sixty large in the bottom of her bag."

"And you took it?"

He dips his chin. "I removed it and locked it in the secondary safe in the office for safekeeping. Then, I left a message saying I needed to discuss something delicate with you when you are finished with your calls."

Tag's expression is unreadable. If it weren't for the rigidness in his frame, I wouldn't even know he was upset. "All right, so let's discuss it. I gave Laine my word that you'd pick up her things and she could trust me to deliver them to her. I told you what I wanted and yet, for some reason, you got creative while executing my orders."

Aiden's face is a mask of frustration, his anger matching mine. "I wasn't getting creative. I did my job. I'm here to safeguard this family and in that vein, I deemed that the fact that a new player comes on the scene an hour before an attack and she's carrying sixty grand is a fucking credible threat."

I'm on my feet before I realize it, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. "All I wanted was some dinner and to unwind. What does my cash stash have to do with any of you? It's none of your business."

Aiden takes three quick strides toward me, and Tag is on his feet and standing between us in a heartbeat. "It's my fucking business if you're a McGuire plant. What was the plan? Get Tag into his office and drug him before the McGuires got there? Did they jump the gun, or did it take you too long to come?"

I lunge and Finn's arm around my hips catches me mid-air.

Aiden's words sting. I don't even know the man, but his suspicion cuts deep. "I am not a plant, you moron!" My voice cracks, heavy with insult and fury.

"Then where did you get sixty grand, duck?"

"I stashed it away over the past year as my husband banged any woman that batted her eyes. It was my runaway fund, you asshole. It's mine and I want it back."

"And you'll get it back," Tag shifts between the two of us. "Aiden put it in my cabinet safe, so we'll go get it. Finn, take Laine to my office. Laine, I'll be there straight away. I need to have a private word with Aiden first."

My heart is thumping in my chest, making an impressive attempt at escaping my ribcage. Finn sets me back on my feet but keeps a gentle hold on my waist. "Tag's got you, Laine. You'll get your money back, you'll see. Let's go to the office and calm down, shall we?"

I meet the sweet intentions of Tag's youngest brother and nod. "Okay. A walk will do me good."

The corridors of the Quinn home are intricate but quiet and calming. And after lunging at a mafia thug, finding a sense of calm is probably a good idea. In the heat of my anger, I said more than I meant to about my life.

I run through my outburst, wondering if my words will ruin my chances at my new identity. No. Likely not. Women get cheated on all the time and the fact that I saved up to start fresh is not only understandable, but logical.

Exhaling a long breath helps dissipate some of the turmoil churning inside me. That, and the silent presence of Finn at my side.

There's something disarming about Tag's brothers. Brendan and Bryan are characters and Finn is noticeably sad, but quite sweet.

Together we weave our way through the stone castle and my mood shifts from angry and ready to fight to amazed at how normal this place feels.

There's a tangible warmth here, something I never felt living with Marco and his father, despite all the luxurious trappings of our shared home.

As we walk past the archway to the living room, a large oil painting over a grand fireplace catches my eye. It depicts a couple surrounded by five boys, all the mirror image of their father.

"Wow, your poor mother."

Finn slows, his gaze following mine to the portrait. "What makes you say that?"

"She gave birth to five boys and not one of you took after her. No one got her auburn hair or her blue eyes. All five of you are your dad."

Finn chuckles. "On the outside, I suppose it looks like that. Mam died when I was six, so almost eighteen years ago. I don't remember much about her, but from what my brothers say, Tag is the most like her in temperament. She was patient and fair and had the good sense to think things through."

"And that's Tag?"

Finn nods. "Aye, without a doubt. He's as sound as a pound, Tag is."

There's no missing the warm admiration in Finn's tone when he speaks of his brother. It's in his eyes, too. "He's a lot like Da too, though."

His gaze is locked on the portrait, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

I brush a hand down his arm, the contexts of our grief so similar even with our worlds so vastly different. "Tag told me about your dad. I'm so sorry for your loss."

He takes a deep breath, blinking quickly as he wipes his fingers over his eyes. "Let's talk about something else. Tag mentioned you have family in Brittas Bay. Do they know you're here?"

I hesitate, surprised by the question. "Uh…no. Even though I was planning my exit strategy, my departure was rather sudden."

"Do you want any help tracking them down? I'm handy with a computer."

"That's not necessary. I have the contact information from my mother's things. She spoke with them several times over the years. Thank you, though. Once I buy a phone, I'll be in business."

He blinks. "You don't have a phone?"

I give myself an inward shake. It's too easy to talk to him. I'm saying too much. "So, your brother's office is…?"

He smiles and gestures for us to get moving again. "Right. This way."

We continue the rest of the way through the wide, stone corridors and I take in the tapestries and photos and antique pieces mixed with modern furniture. It's quite eclectic.

We stop before a sturdy oak door and Finn sets his hand on the heavy, silver handle. "I know what people say about us and what they think from the outside, but give Tag a chance to prove he's more than the Dublin Rogue. He likes you, Laine, and he will look out for you, too. No matter what's going on. Trust in that."

"It's been a long time since I put my trust in anyone, Finn, but it's nice of you to say. And thanks for the escort."