Page 87 of Dublin Brute

I raise my palms and take a step back. “Whoa, no. It’s nothing like that.”

“Well, I didn’t do anything, so if you’re trying to jam me up?—”

“No one’s jamming you up. Kid, simmer down.” I grab three bottles of water from the mini fridge and toss one to her. “Bryan and I asked Mr. O’Toole about you being late and he told us a bit about your family situation.”

She catches the water but doesn’t open it. “So?”

“So we know your brother got picked up for stealing.”

Her face hardens. “He’s not a criminal.”

“That’s not what we’re thinking.”

Bryan pushes off the wall. “In case you haven’t heard, the Quinns look out for the kids in our neighborhood. How many brothers have you got?”

She lifts her chin. “Two.”

“How old?”

“Tommy’s almost eighteen and Danny’s twelve.”

“And no parents in the picture?” I keep my voice neutral.

Her silence is answer enough.

“Listen, Ruby, while you girls were changing, Bryan and I got to talking. You see, we’ve got this house.”

“It used to be one of our safe houses until it got compromised last spring,” Bryan adds. “And a safe house isn’t much good if your opponents know about it.”

True story. “So, our oldest brother has been riding my ass about finding a use for it.”

Ruby’s gaze narrows. “What’s that got to do with me?”

“Well, it has beds, heat, and running water. We’re thinking you and your brothers should stay there until Tommy turnseighteen and can file for the custodianship of the two of you. When will that be?”

Her eyes narrow. “May.”

I nod. “So, until May, you three can live there as our guests, and we’ll make sure there are groceries in the cupboards and the bills are paid. Then, once he’s a legal adult, we can revisit your situation and help with the legalities of keeping your family together.”

Her gaze skips from me to Bryan and back again. “What’s the catch? What would you want from me in return?”

“Nothing but you going to school and keeping your nose clean. The Quinns don’t exploit kids or women. That’s not how we operate.”

“But people don’t just help people for no reason.”

“Wrong. I understand that’s what life has taught you so far, but it’s bullshit. You got a shitty draw of the cards, but there are many people who want to help.”

“But—”

“No buts, kid. You get a real roof over your head, food in the cupboards. We’ll even get our sister-in-law to help sort out Tommy’s legal troubles. She’s a lawyer and can get shit done.”

Ruby blinks rapidly, her tough facade cracking. “Why would you do that?”

Bryan shrugs. “Because we can, and because kids deserve a chance.”

“So what do you say?” I hold out my hand. “Want to go get Danny and show him his new house?”

She stares at my hand for a long moment before a small smile breaks through. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”

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