Page 26 of Illicit Temptation

I play out our conversation in my head about my wanting to tag along on their anticipated trip to Dunbar Valley in the coming months.

In November, Cormac was sent to the torture camp as punishment for what he did to Anastasia Koslov, who is now married to Darragh. Cormac’s twin. And raisingCormac’s baby with her.

‘I want to see Cormac,’ I’d said to Lachlan last week when I stopped by Divona on my way to Manhattan to interview photographers for a seven-figure wedding next June.

‘No,’Lachlan shut down my polite request.

‘Please.’I tented my hands.‘I won’t be any trouble.’

‘I said no. It’s too dangerous.’

‘How are you getting there?’

‘Kieran’s plane.’

‘Then fuck you. I’m going.’I got in his face.‘I’m an O’Rourke, too. I have every right to be on the plane.’

‘It’s a BUSINESS trip.’

‘To a torture camp,’I said delicately because our da senthimthere.

‘Exactly.’Lachlan’s dark gray pools simmered with restrained anger because it was me.‘But since you’re so eager. I have one condition, me a stór.’

Oh boy, calling me his treasure. I knew that would be good.

‘I’m listening.’I folded my arms, digging in.

‘You can go. But only if you agree to take Trace as your guard.’

I frigging walked right into that one.

‘Why him?’I challenged.

‘Why not him? You’ve never questioned who I sent to guard you, Shea-Lynne.’The light left his eyes as they turned into beady slits.

I’d already put Soren’s head on the chopping block, I can’t do the same to Trace. But I need to get out from under this revolving door of bodyguards hired by my brothers.

‘All right. All right,’I said, lowering my voice.

Right there, I knew Lachlan had no idea about Vegas three and a half years ago. The more I fought having Traceas my bodyguard, the more Lachlan would dig.

Correction: He’d makeBalordig.

Doing all kinds of research on me will expose the marriage license. Why didn’t I ask a hacker to wipe it off of Nevada’s servers? Same reason I couldn’t get legal help. My brothers knoweveryone.

With Trace as my guard, I have the freedom for us to get that marriage cancellation in Las Vegas. I would have suggested it earlier since he’s been here in the States, but any thought of going there evaporated in December when Eoghan decided to start a war with the Borgias, the Italian Cosa Nostra.

That sent chills down my spine. I’d done enough parties there to know the name and more importantly, to stay out oftheirway. I have unbelievable faith in my brothers, I just don’t care to test it with my life.

With a truce Kieran made, the tensions vanished. I only wonder what he offered up to Scava to forgive Eoghan for killing his younger brother Lazaro.

Trace walks toward us at the table, and I stand to make myself a cup of tea.

“Ignoring me, princess?” Trace’s voice surrounds me like a hug from behind. My favorite position.

Christ, does he know that? I still have no memory.

I turn around and soak up the sight of him. For a bodyguard, he’s dressed to the nines. “No. I’m working. I got the message you’re replacing Soren. You can post yourself outside.”

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