Page 77 of Alik

“He was Irish.”

For a moment, confusion has me rubbing the bridge of my nose.

Finn’s accent.

“I told you, I know a lot of people in the criminal world. He wasn’t here to hurt you.”

Ironically, the Irish don’t want to hurt her at all. It’s only my organization she should be afraid of.

“Why was he here?”

I open my mouth but hesitate to answer. Whatever I say will be a lie.

He was here to tell me he knew about her. But I can’t tell her that because it would require context. I can’t tell her about my meeting or the Bratva or any of it.

She doesn’t know who I am. She doesn’t know I was supposed to kill her. She doesn’t know I’m supposed to be hunting her right now.

How betrayed would she feel if she found out that the entire time she’s known me, I’ve been plotting to harm her?

My stomach spasms at the thought, and I sigh, reaching my hand toward her. “Let me help you up. Please.”

She chews on her lip a moment while staring at my hand, then finally, she takes it and scoots herself from beneath the bed. I squeeze her hand as I help her stand and lead her from the room to the kitchen where I get us both a glass of water.

“Thanks,” she murmurs, scooting the cup to her chest when I set it down at the table. She darts her eyes up at me then down while I lean on the edge of the linoleum.

“I have good news and bad,” I say, keeping my voice as gentle as I can. “The man who was here is a friend of mine who works for the Irish mob, and he’s assured me their organization isn’t looking to harm you.”

Her head springs up, and her lips part. “Seriously?”

I nod.

She blinks before letting out a relieved laugh that drives a nail past my rib cage. I should finish, but I wait, allowing her to have a few seconds of imagined safety.

“It was my dad,” she says, her lips lifting slightly when she seems to realize this out loud. “He said he would take care of this, I just…” She laughs again and presses her hands to the sides of her head. “I can’t believe he did it.”

Herdad?

I frown but then immediately correct it. I don’t know how her dad planned on taking care of this, but I hope it wasn’t by ripping the Irish to shreds. That’ll make them change their minds about not killing Olive.

I’m sure he was smart enough not to do that. He probably just said something to calm her nerves, and maybe his own.

“I’ll let you know if something changes, but for now, you’re safe from them.”

She seems content for several moments before her smile gradually falls. “You said there’s bad news?”

I nod. “There are still people who want to hurt you, unrelated to the Irish, and unfortunately, Finn knows them. And he figured out that you’re here. So you aren’t safe with me anymore… I’m sorry.”

“I… I don’t understand.” She squints and pushes her glass away to make room for her arms to cross her chest. “I thought you said taking the video camera to the police would get those people off my back.”

My pulse jumps as she stares at me with her lips pouted in disappointment. Like I let her down. Like I was wrong.

Because I lied.

The Bratva will never settle for less than her death.

I drag my eyes away to stare at the kitchen tile.

“Who are they?”

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