Page 28 of Mob Princess

“They do. But the perks aren’t quite as nice as most airlines. Did you go home often or just during breaks?”

“I have family in Boston. My dad lived there, so I went there sometimes.”

“Did he move?”

Was that too casual? Like he’s testing me?

“No. He died two months ago.”

Our gazes lock with intensity that doesn’t need to be there. I don’t get it.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Is he, though? Talk about a perfunctory response. It almost sounds like the exact opposite.

“Thank you.”

“That must be hard on you and your mom.”

“My parents aren’t—weren’t—together. It’s complicated, but my brother has a different mother. My stepmom is kind to me. I get along with her well. It’s been rough on her.”

“And your brother?”

I shrug. “He’s not the most emotionally communicative. He was a lot closer to my dad than me. They worked together.”

Shit. I shouldn’t have brought that up.

“Oh, what did they do? What does your brother do?”

“A bit of this and that. My brother now has some companies they owned. How about your family?”

“Same.”

He leans back as the food arrives. But he doesn’t lean forward once the waitress leaves. I don’t understand what’s happening.

“Ewan’s never had a head for numbers. Is that why you’re here?”

I sit and blink. I eventually swallow as a sinking feeling drops from my throat into the pit of my stomach.

“You’re an O’Rourke.”

“And you’re a Tremblay by way of an O’Malley. Double the fun.”

“Have you known all along?”

“No. I resisted the temptation to look you up. I found out last evening. You didn’t look me up?”

“No. I wanted you to tell me. I knew if I brought it up, I’d have to tell you mine. I was scared you’d google me. I guess that’s rather moot.”

I don’t know what to do next. I feel nauseous. What started as a fantastic lunch date just went to shit. I guess Ewan’ll be happy. I found an O’Rourke. Now what the fuck am I supposed to do?

Chapter Five

Sean

I toyed with her, and now I’m the arsehole.

She’s maintaining a neutral expression, but I can tell she feels anything but. It’s the slight strain in the muscles in her neck when she realized who I was. It’s like her body vibrates because it’s gone so stiff. I felt her feet pull back under her chair.

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