Page 15 of Dublin Brute

A glossy photo on top catches my eye. It’s of a scruffy man with a shamrock tattoo on his neck. He’s been beaten and bloodied and handcuffed to an interrogation table under harsh fluorescent lights. His mouth is bleeding, and his eyes are not only black, but one of them is swollen completely shut. “Who’s that guy?”

My father barely glances at it before brushing it aside. “No one you need to worry about.”

“Did you beat him up?”

He chuckles like my question is a joke, but quickly schools his expression back into something serious. “Me? No.”

“But it was someone on your task force, right? Are you okay with your team torturing people in custody?”

His laughter echoes against the kitchen walls, but it’s cold and hard. There isn’t an ounce of humor behind it. “Don’t be so naïve, Nora. The assholes I investigate aren’t people—they’re immoral animals driven by power, greed, and ego.”

He stares at me and waits, as if he’s letting that sink in. “The information we get from these thugs saves lives, and violence is the only language they understand. Don’t waste a moment of compassion on them. They are filth. Nothing more.”

I look at the man in the photo and swallow my disappointment. “Criminal or not, he’s someone’s son or husband or brother. Doesn’t that entitle him to humane treatment? You’re the good guys, aren’t you?”

He falls unnaturally still. “Are you honestly asking me that?”

Before we spiral deeper into this mess—a knock echoes from the front door, followed by a chime of our doorbell.

I stand up abruptly, relief washing over me at the distraction. “I’ll get it.”

I leave my father staring after me as I rush out of the room toward the door, eager for anything other than another round of interrogation with Jordan Kelly.

With my anger at Da still simmering in my blood, I open the door to find Kate standing there with red-rimmed eyes. Without a word, she crashes into me, wrapping her arms around me so tightly my breath is cut off. “Nora. My God. How are you?”

I close my eyes, thankful that I’m not crazy and some people care enough to ask. “I’m…upright. I’m still numb. Nothing feels real.”

We break apart and I wipe my eyes, smearing my mascara, I’m sure.

Kate is a beautiful brunette with long, sleek hair, and perfect ivory skin. She and Tanya went to college together and were friends for years before they met me. However much I’ll miss Tanya, Kate will surely miss her so much more.

Standing in the doorway, she fidgets with her purse strap, looking nothing like her usual confident self. “I’m sorry to show up unannounced. I tried to call you, but…”

“Yeah, my phone got smashed in the chaos.”

She draws a deep breath. “I’m heading over to Tanya’s house to see if her mum is sober enough to make arrangements. Odds aren’t good on that front, but thought you might like to come help.”

My heart shudders in my chest and my stomach flips. “I barely know the woman. What if she blames me? What if I make things worse?”

Kate scoffs. “The woman is a selfish piece of work. She’s likely scuttered to the point of oblivion. We’ll stop by and make a few calls to arrange a gathering at the closest pub and make our exit.”

I let out a languished breath. “Fair enough. I can do that.”

“And after…I wasn’t sure about the interviews at Legend. Should we still go? Are we still planning to get a flat together?”

Oh. I completely forgot about the club interviews today. The thought of going there without Tanya feels impossible…until I picture Tanya’s face when she first came up with the idea. She was so excited about the three of us each finding our freedom. It was her fierce determination that convinced us to push through our situations to change our stars.

She will never get that chance now.

But she wouldn’t want that to change the plan.

I straighten up and channel some of Tanya’s boundless strength. “She would kick our asses if we canceled. She’s probably up there right now, planning to haunt us if we don’t go after what we want and follow through.”

Kate laughs, a hint of sparkle returning to her eyes. “She would be pissed if we used her as an excuse.”

“She would.” Before I have time to let doubt overtake me, I grab my black wool jacket from the closet and shrug it on. “I don’t know what kind of impression I’ll make today, but I’m in.”

Kate lifts her chin and draws a deep breath. “Me too. Today will be our tribute to her.”

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