Chapter 10

Eriu has no idea that,after what she pulled on me the day she drugged me, I'm even more prepared for the bullshite she's capable of. Like tonight, when she told me she'd be at Karen's studying.

My hands tighten around the wheel of my car as I follow them, unsure of where they're going. But I had Karen's sedan tagged with a tracker, so wherever they go, I'll be one step behind.

When I saw Eriu walk out of Karen's dorm dressed in strappy heels and a dress with a high slit she has no business wearing, I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and cover her up.

I don't want anyone looking at her like that. Like I was. She's so damn beautiful, I can't stand it. It's like she's punishing me every time she's near.

But I didn't do any of that. Instead, I wanted to see what she was up to. Because I very much wanted to know where she was going dressed like that.

My mind travels to Mason feckin' Reynolds. Thoughts of him undressing her, touching her, fecking her. Never gonna happen. Never gonna happen with anyone, if I can help it.

My teeth grind together at the thought. She has no idea how badly I want her. I want everything with her, even when it makes no bloody sense for us to be together. But I want her still. Yet I know that can't happen.

One whiff of her, and my enemies will come runnin', and they will destroy her and leave me with pieces of my broken heart.

I like to pretend I don't have one. It's easier that way. But with her, all my heart does is beat, and I often wonder how it'd feel to love her. To feel her love in return. Until then, all I have is her from a distance.

I continue following Karen's car, which is driving too damn fast. My hand curls around the wheel, tighter the quicker she goes. If anything happens to Eriu, she's gonna have me to answer to.

Where the hell could they be going? A club, I'm assuming. Didn't she learn her lesson the last time? My God, what is she thinking? Too much alcohol and danger at those places.

I know she wants to experience things she never has in her sheltered life. I get that. But she has to be careful, more than any other girl her age. And sure, that's not fair, but we don't get to choose the life we're born into.

They get off at an exit, and I'm right behind. I doubt they're even paying attention to anyone around them. Hell, there could be a bloody assassin after her, and she wouldn't feckin' know.

I should charge in front of that car so I can drag her back to her dorm room. But that will only get her pouting and angry, probably causing me more of a headache.

Better to stay back and keep her safe. And if anyone tries anything, I'll be there to stop them. Permanently, if I have to.

They take a few more turns until they arrive at a contemporary building in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by commercial properties, many of which aren't in operation.

What the hell is this place? She gets out, and both girls are now wearing masks. So are all the people around them.

What the feck?

A guy approaches them wearing one too. He seems to know them both. I hate not knowing who that is.

Looking around, I realize I'm the only idiot without a mask. How the hell am I getting inside this place without one? I exit my car, trying to be as hidden as possible, but I stick out like a sore thumb.

I don't like this. She's getting the hell out of here.

Karen loops her arm through Eriu's, and together, they head for the entrance. A guard scans them before they hand in their cellphones. They then rush into an elevator and they're gone.

"Shite…" I mutter.

I'm bound to lose her here.

My eyes scan the perimeter, spotting men securing the doors inside, looking strapped. I inspect the roof for more guards. I'm sure they're up there. That's what I'd do. Have snipers on the ready. Keep the muscle hidden to keep up whatever appearance the owner of this place is trying to achieve.

But who's running it? I've gotta find out what the hell Eriu has gotten herself into. Again.

With hands in my pockets, I strut closer to the entrance. I'm really screwed. Can't bloody well shoot my way inside.

"Excuse me," a feminine voice says from behind me while two women pass by.

Both of them are in high heels and skintight white dresses that reach the ground. They glance back at me and laugh.

"They won't let you in without a mask, handsome. You should go get yours, then come find us."

What the hell did she just say?

"No, thank you. Where do I get one?"

She scoffs, but doesn't say a word, rushing into the place instead.

When it's my turn, the security guard stares through dark eyes, his face covered with one of those bloody masks too.

"No mask, no entry. Get lost."

"How do I get one?"

He straightens himself, taking a few steps into my space. "How the hell did you find this place?"

That must be his weak attempt at scaring me off.

"A friend told me about it."

His fingers lower to his waist, and I know he's going for his weapon. Matching his intensity, I reach for mine in my holster.

"Then you and your friend are both dead." He snaps a fist to my shirt, and before he knows it, my nine is pointing at his balls.

That's when his grip loosens.

"If you don't want to lose your tiny dick, you'll give me a feckin' mask and let me inside."

He laughs wryly. "If I let you in without being on my list, I'll lose more than just my balls because the boss would hang me."

"And who's your boss?"

Before I can get an answer, I register cold metal against my nape.

"Drop your weapon. Now."

He's Russian, whoever he is. Could this place be tied to the Marinovs?

He's clearly ready to pull the trigger. But so am I.

"I'm gonna turn around," I warn him. "I'm not here to cause trouble."

His chuckle is more like a threat, and when I pivot, I find he's not wearing a mask. Don't think I've seen him. Dark eyes, dark hair. About six-three, the same height as me.

"How the hell did you find this place?" Indignation fits his gaze.

"I followed a girl."

His sinister grin widens.

"Kill him and make it quiet," he tells the guard, and starts to walk away.

A pair of women gasp and rush inside.

When the guard tries to grab me, I flip his arm, and he can't hide his groan.

"Don't feckin' move, or I kill you right here, then shoot your friend."

That causes the Russian to return his attention to me, a sneer lining his face.

"Now, can we have a talk?" Heated rage shapes my words. "Or should we start a war and see who comes out on top? Either is fine by me. I like it bloody. But I'm betting your guests don't."

My hold on the guard tightens.

"Kto eta dalbayop?" he asks the guard in Russian.

And with a quick jerk of his hand, he returns to pointing his gun at me, so I return the favor.

"Wanna see who shoots first?" My mouth twitches.

Before I can pull the trigger, a taller man comes out of the front door, towering over everyone else. When he slips off his mask, I immediately recognize him.

Konstantin Marinov. The damn Pakhan of the Russian Mob. Now it's a party.

I knew he had something to do with this place. It has his family's name written all over it.

Eriu sure knows how to land her pretty arse into trouble. First, she lands me in prison; now she's gonna have me fighting the Bratva. For her, though, I'd do anything.

"Now, now, Aleksei," Konstantin says to the man pointing his gun at me. "Is that a way to treat our friends?"

He chuckles, but it's the kind that would scare a sane person. But I've never been sane.

"What the hell are you talking about? Who is this?" Aleksei doesn't lower his weapon, and neither do I.

Konstantin walks up to him and pushes his arm to his side.

"My brother can be trigger-happy sometimes." He forces my weapon down next. "Devlin. Nice to see you, old friend. What can I do for you?"

"You know this idiot?" Aleksei snaps his glare at me.

"Da. Devlin is a friend of the Quinns." He turns to me. "Can't say I expected to see you here, though. But you're here now, so how about you tell me why you came here looking to die?"

Konstantin is the craziest motherfecker I've ever met, and that says a lot. He wouldn't hesitate to kill me while his guests watched.

"I need inside. Patrick's daughter is here, and I'm on her detail."

He lifts a thick brow. "Iseult is here?"

"No. The other one."

"Ahh…" He nods. "The little one. Yes, I don't think this is a place for a young, innocent thing like her. One wrong turn, and she may end up tossing both her green attire and inhibitions to the ground." He smirks.

I instantly know he already saw her here. Only way he'd know what color her dress was. In fact, I'm sure he knew she was coming before I did.

What the hell was she thinking?

"I need to get inside to get her out. If Patrick gets a whiff of this, it won't be good for either of us."

He snickers. "This has nothing to do with me. She came here on her own. And I'm a businessman first, so unfortunately for you, I can't just let you inside. Friend or not. Normally, you need to be vetted properly and pay a large fee."

"Who paid hers?"

"A friend. Don't worry. She doesn't owe me a dime." His grin expands, and my worry only grows.

"I've got five on me. Will that do?"

Of course, he knows I mean five grand.

"It's ten, but for you? Sure."

His smile is sinister. He's gonna want something in return.

"Come on…" He throws an arm around my shoulders. "Let's go find your girl."

"She's not my girl."

He leads me inside. "After tonight, she can be, old friend."

"We're not friends."

He chuckles. "I only have friends or enemies. You choose."

I get his meaning perfectly. But I would barely call us friends. Acquaintances, maybe, and that's only because of the Quinns.

"Let's get you a mask so you can see what awaits you inside. Never know what could happen when the masks are on."

That's what I'm bloody afraid of.