Page 19 of Dublin Brute

I offer her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Mr. Quinn is fine.”

She swallows. “The…uh, the doctor was reluctant to sign off on discharging Peter so soon after surgery, but your associate seemed insistent.”

I don’t know what Kieran told them, but I agree. “If Petey was the target of violence, the sooner we move him somewhere secure, the safer everyone will be—including the staff and patients of this hospital.”

She nods. “I have discharge instructions, but Peter will need someone to stay with him for the next forty-eight to seventy-two hours. With his injuries, he’ll have mobility challenges and will need care. The painkillers he’s being prescribed will make him a little loopy, and falling is a distinct possibility.”

I resist the urge to tell her that this isn’t our first shooting. I doubt that will help. The truth is, we are well aware of what the next days will be like for the kid.

“He’s not to shower for forty-eight hours or lift anything heavy for the next three weeks until his stitches are fully healed.”

I flash her a grin. “Understood. We’ll take good care of him.”

Bryan stands and we follow her into Petey’s room. Despite his chipper mood from earlier, with his eyes closed, the kid looks pale as death and skinny as a corpse.

The soft whoosh of the door opening stirs him from his nap and when he takes the three of us coming in, I clap my hands. “Good news, Petey. Your nurse says we can spring you from this place as long as we take care of you, and you take it easy for a few weeks.”

His smile falters. “Weeks? How will I earn money if I’m not out there? I’ve got bills to pay and need to keep up my share.”

I hold up my hands to slow his roll. “We’ve got you, buddy. Tell Kieran what you need, and we’ll make sure you’re covered. Consider this an all-expenses paid Quinn vacation.”

Petey’s gaze widens. “Serious? I can rest and you’ll still pay my rent and stuff?”

“Aye, for the next three weeks, consider yourself a paid couch potato.”

He looks between Bryan and me as if gauging how serious we are before finally letting out a sigh. “Wow, thanks. Thanks a lot.”

I gather the bag of Petey’s things while the nurse helps him with his socks and shoes. Bryan grabs a wheelchair from the hall, and a few minutes later, the kid’s discharge papers are signed. Once he’s got his jacket on over his hospital gown, we’re wheeling him down the hall.

I’m glad to be getting out of here, but even with Petey free to leave, until we know why this happened and who was behind it, the kid is no better off.

None of us are.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Nora

Kate pulls into the driveway along the side of my house and smiles over at me. “That went well, right? I mean, we got Tanya’s wake set up and the Legend owner seemed nice. As shitty as today was, we did our girl proud.”

“We did.” I fidget with my purse strap, wincing as my shoulder protests the movement. “I’ll print off some pictures from my phone and arrive at the pub early to help set up.”

“I’ll pick you up. It’ll be easier than you bringing stuff on the bus.”

I appreciate that more than she knows. “Let me know if you hear anything from Legend.”

“I will. They told me they’re looking to train the new staff for next weekend. We should hear something soon.”

The thought of working together at the nightclub has me excited about going to work, for once.

“What kind of notice do you have to give to the library?”

“The standard two weeks. I’m not too worried. Even if I work both jobs for a couple of weeks, the shifts won’t overlap. I might get tired, but it’ll be an even better paycheck by the end of the month.

Because without Tanya, instead of a third of the expenses, I’ll be responsible for half. Should we consider inviting someone else to join us and split the costs?

The thought of replacing Tanya makes my stomach whirl.

No. For now, we focus on working hard, earning great tips, and waiting until we can manage with just the two of us.

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