Page 33 of Seizing Control: Part One

Even if it is for their own good...

“Cherub,” Gabriel chides in a tight voice. Blinking twice, I frown when he says, “I think you should see what Brutus has to say.”

“How much would it cost to hire you to accompany me?”

Regret flashes across his weathered face, then he schools his features into a blank countenance. “I’m afraid I can’t do that… my presence could be misconstrued as implicit consent, and that wouldn’t do.”

While Joshua and Veronica become captivated by the documents in front of them, I take the opposite approach. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind? Isaiah would love to have you there for the ceremony.”

“He knew the repercussions when he chose to patch-in.” There’s an oddly sympathetic cast to Gabriel’s response that makes the fine hair on my body stand on end. For weeks I’ve felt uneasy, caught in a void, and the strange behaviour of everyone around me isn’t helping my paranoia. A gulf is opening emerging between all of my loved ones as we continue to hold each other to standards that no one human could possibly meet. “Now the chips will fall where they must.”

“I’d ask you to expand on that enigmatic comment, but we all know you’ll only make matters worse if you deign to explain,” I muse sardonically. Pushing away from the table, I roll over to my satchel, then spin in a circle on my chair before leaping to my feet. Joshua lets out a strangled laugh that ends with a choking sound when I offer a bow at the end of my dismount. I shoot him a mischievous grin as I head for the exit, pausing to salute Gabriel as I pass him. “On that note, boss man, I’m going to go stick my head in the lion’s mouth. Shouldn’t be too long—try to avoid worrying yourself into an ulcer in my absence. We’re all out of antacids and you’re too stubborn to meditate.”

“Save the sass for your father,” Gabriel retorts. “He’s a better candidate than I.”

“Stress less, boss man... I have enough to go around.”

Their ensuring laughter boosts my mood as it follows me out into the main corridor.

The floor the firm occupies is empty as I make my way to the elevator. My escort for the day is the man of the hour. It’s my job to keep Isaiah out of the way while his club brothers hold the formal vote needed to officially elevate him from prospect to patched brother. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a mere formality at his point. Isaiah Abaddon has more than proven himself worthy of the top rocker. He’s been one of the Shamrocks most steadfast supporters over the years.

A true brother in every aspect.

I look forward to watching him evolve into his new role with the club.

Stowing his phone inside his cut when he clocks my approach, Isaiah takes his feet with haste so he can hit the button for the garage level for me. He steps inside the lift first, then ushers me after him with a quick flick of his fingers.

“Your father’s in fine form,” I tell him as we descend to basement level. “I’m not sure if he’s going to start World War Three on behalf of his new client or tell the jackarse to take a long walk off a short pier. Never seen him so worked up over such a simple case before”

“That’s probs my fault,” Isaiah replies with a humourless chuckle. “His perpetual disappointment needs an outlet now that Lo is permanently based in the US, and I’ve wriggled outta his control.”

“Wonderful,” I quip. “He’s just promoted me to his second on this case… I guess, I’m it then.”

“You’ve got a spine of steel, Cherub. If anyone can survive Dad’s interference, it’s you.”

“Your faith in me is duly noted.” As we emerge into the brightly lit parking garage, I hit my shoulder to his. Smiling wide, he nudges me back. “Now, tell me what’s new in your world… apart from babysitting me, what have you been up to?”

My question seems to throw him off-balance.

I suck my bottom lip between my teeth as I contemplate his pensive expression.

He’s hiding something—just like the rest of the club has been for months.

We walk in silence to my car. Urging me to wait a few steps away, Isaiah checks inside the vehicle to ensure I’m not about to be ambushed by a bogeyman hiding in the back seat. As I let him complete his sweep, I get the eerie feeling of being watched again. Surreptitiously, I glance around deserted underground parking garage to see if I can spot anyone lurking.

“I met someone.”

“What the hell?” My brain seizes, all thoughts of being spied on disappear, and I jerk around like I’ve been electrocuted. When Isaiah makes a rumbling sound of disgust in his throat, I clasp my hands under my chin and bat my eyelashes at him. “Tell. Me. Everything.”

“It’s new.”

“Obviously.”

“Cherub…”

“God, you’re such a spoilsport.” I make a show of daintily settling into the driver’s seat before I return my attention to him. “So, it’s new and…”

“She’s the sister of a Blackards old lady.”

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