Page 5 of Líadan's Code

Eyes wide, a part of me can’t believe this is happening. His hand ghosts down my back to squeeze my hip, and suddenly I begin to feel really warm. His kisses get more and more intense until his tongue swipes along mine. His pelvis is carefully held away from me as he groans softly against my lips.

“You taste incredible,” he rumbles softly. “Happy fucking birthday, baby girl. Every day you’re alive should be celebrated. The world is brighter because you’re here. Call me when you’re done with whatever your father has planned, alright?”

Nodding as my chest heaves to regulate my breath, I watch as he rolls his bottom lip under his teeth slowly. Brendan has never looked at me as if he wishes he had the time to strip me naked and explore every inch of me.

I’ve always wished he’d noticed me, and now it appears as if he’s been holding out on me.

“I’m waiting for you to answer me, Lía,” he says, amused.

“Oh,” I mutter, scrambling to make the two brain cells left in my mind work. I think I’m broken. “Yes, I have my phone. Daddy hasn’t taken it from me this week. I’ll call you when I’m done with whatever he has planned.”

“If you don’t, I’m climbing through your window,” he growls, making my jaw completely drop. Enjoying my reaction to him, he slowly walks away backwards, then turns to peek outside of the door before he slips away.

It’s like he was never here, except he was, and my lips tingle as they remember him. There’s also a heaviness in my core, I’m embarrassingly wet, and my heart's still pounding.

“Happy birthday to me,” I whisper as I push away from the wall.

No matter what happens tonight, I’ll be holding tight to that kiss. It was everything.

Brendan

I feel as if I’m on cloud nine as I sneak down all the service hallways to get to the main floor of the O’Brien home. I’ve wanted to kiss my best friend for over two years, it just was never the right time.

So instead, every time I felt the overwhelming need to kiss her, tell her my feelings, or make a fool of myself, I went to the sex club to fuck it out with someone else.

I’m not proud of it, but she was fifteen at the time, and I’m two years older than she is. It felt wrong to push my attraction on her. Our world is difficult, dangerous, and not for the faint of heart. I didn’t want to lead her down a road she wasn't ready for, especially when Seán O’Brien is capable of killing her if he even heard a whisper that his precious daughter wasn’t untouched and pure.

I’ve heard whispers that he may marry her off soon, and the idea of an arranged marriage for Líadan makes my skin crawl. She is mine, and has been ever since we met as children.

I am her best friend and protector, even though sometimes people keep me from being able to shield her.

“Where are you going?” Bruin grunts as I begin making my way toward the front door. “The boss needs you.”

“I wasn’t aware he did,” I say carefully, rocking back on my heels. I’m wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans, hardly clothes meant to meet the boss with.

“Someone was supposed to text you,” he grumbles. “It’s a good thing you’re here, actually. He has a job for you.”

Nodding, I follow him through the monstrously large house as we walk toward his office. I don’t doubt Mr. O’Brien has some sort of job for me, because technically, I did ask to take Líadan out on her birthday.

If I’m tasked with a job, then it nullifies the previous agreement. I pay careful attention to the fact that never once does Bruin take me anywhere near where the party is being set up. I promise myself that no matter what, I’m going to come back to the house after the assignment to check on Lía.

I dislike how neither Lía nor I had any idea this party was going to take place.

“Brendan!” Seán booms out as I step into his office. I’m a bit on edge as I greet him, wondering what this all-important job is. “Have you been to see Líadan to wish her a happy birthday, son?”

My lips curve into a smile I don’t feel, because I’m not his son. Líadan and I are cousins so far removed it shouldn’t even be considered family. We certainly aren’t blood related at all. The world gave her to me when she was born. That’s all there is to it.

“I was looking for her, but didn’t see her in any of the common areas she enjoys,” I lie smoothly. I know I wasn’t caught by any of the cameras because I know where all of them are, even the newer ones he had installed two days ago.

“Bah, you know her. She probably has her damn nose in a fooking book,” he mutters with a shrug. “‘Tis a shame you didn’t get to see her, but I have a job for you. I know I said you could take her out for a bit of fun on her birthday. I’m sad to see it canceled. Did she know about your plans?”

The old man is digging, so I shake my head in denial easily. It’s almost not a lie, because she didn’t know until I told her just a few minutes ago.

“No, Sir. I didn’t want to tell her in case plans changed so she wouldn’t be disappointed,” I explain. I don’t speak very often to anyone except Lía. I keep my own counsel, I’m good at my job, and I hate most people.

“Good man,” he says, nodding. “I need you to go to the South Shore and pick up a package for me. Take it to the Summer Street warehouse and see how much information you can pull from it about how it spent last night. Someone sent me photos of it speaking to a police officer.”

“Are we thinking that he was flipping on us?” I ask.

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