Page 81 of Forbidden Bond

“Shouldn’t we do something about Nicole?”

When her head started to turn, he grabbed her hand, stalling it. “Macushla, you trust me.” That wasn’t a question, didn’t have to be when he knew the answer. “It’s handled.”

TWENTY-SIX

A FOREIGN CALL from behind the curtain got her guy to his feet.

“Come on,” he said, clipping her dress closed, then hooking her waist to help her from the desk.

Holding his hand, she went where he led. “Where are we going?”

She didn’t expect an answer, and he delivered on that assumption. At the top of the stairs to the apartment, usually, they’d flip a U-turn and go to the bedroom. This time, at the opposite end of the space, the round dining table was occupied. Huh, was that the first time she’d seen it used? Now there were butts in seats, Whisper, her husband, Razer, and Play McDade.

Conn funneled her into a seat, pushing it in under her before sitting next to her.

McDades.

A Doherty.

A McLeod.

Talk about unlikely bedfellows.

“Are we gonna vote?” Whisper asked. “Mine’s worth two, I vote for me and Shyla. McDade wives stick together. And PJ’s vote is mine as well. He likes me more than he likes any of you. Score’s vote should be worth a half point, since he didn’t bother to show up.”

“Talk of him showing up did its job,” Raze muttered.

So Score had never been on his way?

“Vex is in the basement,” Play said, ignoring the Doherty. “Madison’s in the cell beside him. Superintendent’s at the end ofthe hall under lock and key. We’re headed for a full set. Should we grab a Gambatto to balance it out?”

Her father was imprisoned in Stag? Oh, he’d love that so much. How had he ended up there? It must’ve been with Lachlan’s approval. Unless Conn strongarmed her brother, but if that confrontation happened, she’d have heard about it… wouldn’t she?

Raze kept things on track. “What’s next, Ire?”

“We eliminate the pest.”

“Biz hasn’t lost any of his arrogance,” Whisper said. “Should’ve seen his face when I walked in.”

“Didn’t he know you were coming?” she asked.

“Probably didn’t believe I’d show.” Whisper’s smile glowed with mischief. “He was never my biggest fan.”

“Anything from Burl?”

“Sources say there’s been an increase in activity,” Conn said. “Expected. I’m not concerned.”

Play pushed back in his seat. “Miami won’t be safe until we take care of the Manzani problem. Think Vex will help us out there?”

“Vex Manzani is useless, a dickless piece of shit barely worthy of the air he breathes.” Far as she could tell, only Whisper noticed the shiver of arousal that went through her. Conn shouldn’t be allowed to talk like that with others in the room. “Only way Vex leaves this building is in a box, unless Silvio agrees to the terms.”

“Gotta take care of the Byrnes too.”

“Man loves his daughter,” Play said. “She’s the ticket.”

“So we hold her until Rick Byrne severs his connection to Biz?”

“Severing the connection matters less than leaving the man isolated and hated. He cannot be allowed to believe he has any chance of rejoining the family.” Conn’s gaze cut to Whisper.“Dohertys loyal to the McDades get a bump in the ranks and receive a cash bonus for every Byrne head they collect. I want them off the board.”

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