Page 52 of Key Change

TWENTY-EIGHT

Anthony walked up the street,the afternoon sun on his back and a smile on his face. It hadn’t been the date he expected, but lunch had been perfect all the same. Was it a date? It felt like a date.

He wanted it to be a date.

Being with Cillian was a tantalizing glimpse of the life that was possible once he had his shit together. The temptation to call Farring so he had a job was so strong that he’d pulled his phone out twice on the train back to Margot’s. But then he remembered the concern in Cillian’s eyes when he’d mention the old connection. Cillian hadn’t needed to say anything; Anthony knew accepting the offer would be a bad idea.

Fuck, it had been a bad idea to call Farring in the first place, but he’d needed to be sure.

How many times had he said yes when the smart option was no?

Too, too many.

It was, as his father said, a character flaw. According to his father, he had many, including antagonizing his brother. His father never wanted to hear how Hayden started it, only that Anthony had somehow upset him. Which then led to his fathertaking it out on both of them, and Hayden taking it out on him—because once again Anthony had gotten them both in trouble.

His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket without thinking.

Cillian, but it wasn’t a message he wanted to read.

H called me. He knew you were here and called straight after you left.

Cold washed over his skin as he remembered the man at the beach and the white car with the red scuff mark on the front bumper. So he hadn’t been paranoid. He was being followed. Hayden must have hired a private investigator to keep tabs on him.

What did he say?

Anthony could imagine, but he needed to know.

That you are seeing old friends and falling back into old habits.

Which was partially true. He had seen old friends, but he didn’t want the old habits, or the threat of jail.

Cillian followed up with another text.

Is he having you followed?

“Fuck.” Anthony muttered.

I wasn’t sure, but I am now. I’ll sort it out.

He had no idea how without talking to Hayden. He scanned the street, looking for the car or the man. Maybe he’d lost his tailby catching the train and walking the rest of the way, but he’d be back to watch Margot’s house.

Shit.Liam had been to the house. Did that mean Liam had been seen sniffing around? They’d definitely been seen speaking at the beach.

You need to speak to someone about him.

Anthony wasn’t sure if Cillian meant Hayden or the tail, but Cillian also needed to speak to someone about Hayden.

Have you considered reporting H to the cops?

Dots appeared, then vanished. Anthony walked, with his focus on the screen, as he waited for a reply.

He’s a ducking lawyer. It won’t go anywhere, so what’s the point?

*Fucking.

Anthony smiled, not needing the correction but amused that he’d bothered.

I’ll talk to him about the tail and the harassment. I won’t make it worse, right?

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