Page 6 of Líadan's Code

“Her,” he grunts. “She needs to be interrogated, tortured, and then dropped off to your father. We’re going to make her disappear while making a bit of money on her. If it helps assuage any concerns, we have pretty substantial evidence that states that she was funneling information to this police officer. A St. Clair.”

“I don’t have a conscience,” I remind him in a dead tone. The only person I care about is upstairs. Everyone else can go to hell in a large, fiery ball.

“This is why you’re so valuable,” Mr. O’Brien murmurs. “She’s a hooker who got sloppy. Do your worst to her, just keep her alive. Understood?”

Struggling not to sigh in front of him, I nod. This is going to take a few hours at least. Fuck me. The warehouses near Garfield Park are an hour drive from here.

“Of course, Sir,” I murmur. “I’ll make sure it gets handled. Any other instructions?”

“No,” he grunts. “Happy interrogating.”

The smug bastard grins as if he’s the funniest person in the world, but I couldn’t give two shits about him. I want to do the job and return to check on my girl. I don’t have any remorse when I do these jobs, because I’m incapable of feeling any.

“Thanks, boss,” I say, turning away as I walk out of the room. I’m very careful as Bruin leads me out, paying attention to everything as I leave.

Everything about this job stinks like shit and sucks twice as badly.

Please be okay while I’m gone, milseán. You're the only reason my heart beats at all.

Chapter Two

Líadan

Idon’t look like myself tonight.

Winding a curl around my finger, I gaze at my reflection, swallowing hard. The red dress is more revealing than anything I’ve ever worn in my life, and although I won’t be able to sit all night because the damn thing is so tight, it doesn’t look bad.

I’m wearing light makeup, a deep maroon lipstick, black heels with the red bottoms, and the front of my hair is gathered back in a few braids that I turned into a crown around my head. The rest of my dark strands are curled, the braids held in place with the long, sharp pins Brendan gave me.

Taking a deep breath, I struggle not to feel as naked as this dress makes me look. My large forest green eyes appear even bigger than normal with the eyeliner and swipes of mascara I’ve used, and I shift on my feet as I question how I look.

Maybe there’s time to change. If I wear a floor length dress, Daddy may backhand me and mar my perfect skin. Then, I won’t have to go at all. It’s pathetic that these are my thoughts on my birthday, but I don’t know what else to do.

My heavy breasts sit perfectly in the dress despite the fact that I can’t wear a bra in it, and I’m forced into a tiny thong so the lines won’t fuck up the dress.

A knock on the door makes me toss up my shaking hands in defeat as I walk over to answer it. Bruin stands there appearing bored, and just seeing him makes my breaths come shorter than they were before.

He loves the way he scares the hell out of me, and I have to force myself not to make any sound as I practically pant with fear.

“I guess you’ll do for tonight, heifer,” he mutters, stepping back. “I’m not allowed to drag you along tonight, so let’s hurry this up, shall we? Can’t fuck up all that creamy skin quite yet.”

Even though his words make my flesh crawl, I walk quickly to keep up with him as he takes off down the hallway. I refuse to say anything to him or ask any of the millions of questions racing through my mind, though if Daddy wanted to make me even more terrified than I already was, I have to say that he succeeded.

Bruin has a terrible outlook on women. He thinks we’re all fat and lazy, and half the time he’ll mutter things I don’t understand under his breath. I prefer him this way than hurting me though. Sometimes, you have to pick your battles in this household.

Daddy is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs as I descend the steps quickly behind Bruin.

“Do you need me anymore, boss?” he grunts, pushing his hair back as he glares over at me.

I don’t understand why he hates me so much, outside of having a vagina that is. He wears his hatred of women like a second skin. I can’t be bothered to untangle his damage right now, though, because Daddy rocks back on his heels to gaze at me.

“No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Daddy says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You’re going to behave tonight, aren’t you, Líadan?”

My blood pressure skyrockets as I nod slowly. Not for the first time, I think about how wrong things feel as I take the last step down to stand next to my father.

“Of course, Daddy,” I whisper. I wish my voice was stronger, but it’s a struggle to even keep my body moving.

“If the little whore gives you any trouble, I’ll be around,” Bruin mutters. “Hopefully, she finally begins to realize she exists to follow commands.”

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