Page 72 of Daddy's Wild Girl

However, she’d been counting on Corbin to be more level-headed and reasonable.

“The door to get into the pub is just a few steps into the alleyway. Please, just trust me.” She gave him her best pleading look.

“Told you,” Hayes grumbled. “She thinks that pout can get her whatever she wants.” He stepped away a few paces while Corbin stared down at her firmly.

“Well, it won’t. I’m not letting you put yourself in any danger. You’re too precious to me.”

Her breath caught in her throat at his words.

Precious to him?

What did he mean, precious to him? She was a client.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then sighed. “Let’s forget I said that. It wasn’t professional. Probably why I’m not sent into the field that often.”

“What?”

“Probably shouldn’t have said that, either. I have field skills. I was a CIA agent before I worked for JSI. So I can do this job, it’s just that I prefer to be the man behind the scenes.”

Oh.

That actually made her feel better for some reason. Possibly because the idea of him putting himself in danger scared her.

And why was that?

Was he precious to her as well?

“I’ll pretend you didn’t say that,” she said, although that didn’t mean she would forget. “If you come down the alleyway.”

He heaved out a sigh, giving her a look of disgruntlement. “I don’t like ultimatums.”

“Please.” She put her hands up, pleading with him.

“Are you really telling me there’s a bar down there?” he asked skeptically. “How does anyone know it’s there?”

Yay. He was going to see reason.

“There really is, and it’s a pub. But it’s a different sort of place.”

“How is it different?” Hayes asked, coming back. “Does it sell booze?”

“Well, yes.”

“Does it have four walls? Chairs or stools? Does it have a toilet?” Hayes asked.

She heaved a sigh. “You’re hard work sometimes.”

“I try,” Hayes deadpanned.

“Callahan’s Pub isn’t a place that most people know of. The Duke doesn’t advertise. It’s purely word of mouth. Memberships are handed down. You have to be a member to get in or be with one. A member can bring a number of people, but they have to let the Duke know first.”

“The Duke?” Corbin asked.

“He owns it. I think.”

“A duke who owns an Irish pub?” Hayes asked. “It sounds like some sort of weird joke.”

“He can’t be an actual duke, right?” Corbin said.

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