Page 38 of Dublin Brute

Brendan

I can’t feel my body as I burst into the change room and yank on my gray sweatpants. The hits I took barely register. I’ve only got one thing on my mind.

Nora.

The look in her eyes when she realized who I was cut deeper than any punch I took tonight. And then she took off like her beautiful ass was on fire. Reaching into my locker, I unlock my phone screen and call my brother.

“Sean, I need a favor.” I lift my shoulder to hold my phone to my ear while I pull on my boots. “A blonde in a dark red dress. She took off a couple of minutes ago. Which way did she go?”

“What blonde? The blonde you?—”

“Later. Fuck. I just need you to find her.”

“All right. Don’t get your nutsack in a twist.” The only thing that keeps me from losing my fucking mind is the sound of fingers flying across the keyboard.

He’s cycling through feeds.

I grab my coat from my locker and pull it on over my bare chest. Then I book it toward the front door.

“Got her. She claimed her coat and left out the front door.”

“On foot?”

“As far as I can see.”

My heart hammers as I head for the side door to avoid meeting up with anyone. “Thanks brother. I owe you.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Nora

Ihurry outside the building, pulling my jacket on as I go. I want to be away from here and can’t put enough distance between me and Brendan Quinn fast enough. My stomach is locked in knots, even as my chest aches.

Brendan Quinn.

How could I be so stupid?

My hands tremble as I pull out my phone. From anger, shame, or fear…I couldn’t say which. With my mind spinning, I couldn’t say much of anything for certain. My heart sinks when I realize my phone is useless—no signal.

Seriously?

I huff and secure the belt of my jacket, pulling it tighter around me as if it might shield me from the danger I’ve put myself into. Slinging my purse over my head and across my body, I start up the street, casting glances behind me.

The night air is cold, biting through the thin fabric of my dress. I scan the shadows ahead, but as far as I can see, they’re empty. Not that I can see much. The street is dark and solelywashed by the sweeping spotlights of the Quinn event and a flickering streetlight down the block.

Stupid Quinns. They’re likely using up all the electricity for the block.

I know that’s ridiculous, but I’m mad. At Brendan. At myself. At the universe for making me believe a guy like him could be interested in me.

Then I see him.

At first, I’m too caught up in my mental maelstrom to think much of the man across the street, but there’s something about his body language and his focus that sets off my female instincts of self-preservation.

Better late than never, I suppose.

Dressed in all black, the stranger steps out of the shadows of a closed building. He moves with purpose, crossing the empty street to intercept me. My stomach knots even tighter and I take a quick left on a side street and pick up my pace. I may be riding a bit of an alcohol buzz, but I’m not so gone that I don’t recognize how vulnerable I am in this moment.

My head moves on a swivel as I search for someone to run to or a group to blend in with.Come on. I can’t be the only person out here tonight.

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