Page 27 of Dublin Brute

Nora seems to snap out of her reverie and meets my question with a resounding smile. “Yes, I love it. Do you come here a lot?”

“No. Not a lot. I keep tabs on things and if Jo needs anything, I make sure she’s taken care of, but I’m a silent partner, so ‘silent’ sort of implies I’m hands off.”

She straightens. “Wait. Youownthis place?”

I shake my head. “No. This place is all Jo. I was just in the position to help her when her husband was killed and their dream of opening this place was in jeopardy.”

“So, you are an investor?”

“Aye, among other things. My family has strong ties with Dublin and over the years, has taken an interest in many of the local businesses. We do what we can and help where we’re able.”

“So you work for your family company? You’re a businessman?”

“Aye, that’s the gist of it.”

“You don’t strike me as a nine-to-five investment guy.” The face she makes as she says that makes me laugh out loud.

“Och, I’m not. I handle things in the…security protocols department. I make sure people toe the line. Discipline those who don’t follow the laws. Keep people in line.”

“Like a bouncer at a bar.”

She’s so fucking cute. “That’s a very accurate way to describe it. So, we work together on the family interests and then, on the side, we each work on our own passion projects.”

“Like this cafe?”

“Among other investments. But I’m most proud of this one. Jo is good people, and it would’ve been an even worse crimeif the violence that took her husband also took their dream of opening this place.”

Nora looks over her shoulder to ensure that our conversation is still private and then leans in. “What happened?”

“The two of them were south of the river, buying and ordering the kitchen equipment they needed to open this place and were held up at gunpoint. One assailant grabbed Jo as leverage, but instead of controlling her husband, it incited him to fight to get to her. The gunshots brought people running, and the attackers fled, but Marcel didn’t make it.”

“That’s tragic.” Nora presses a hand against her throat.

“It was, but Jo is made of strong stuff. Part of the reason I wanted to bring you here was so you could see past the violence of the shooting. Violence happened and losing your friend was senseless and tragic, but you’re still here. You can fight past it and keep your dreams alive.”

Nora’s mouth falls open, and she shakes her head. “I love that.”

A steady rattle of a serving cart brings a server around the corner with our order. By the nervous glances she flashes me as she sets our order on our table, she is aware I am a Quinn or Jo has told her I’m important.

When she’s unloaded the tea cart and has everything in place, she straightens, looking relieved. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“No. Thank you. We’re good.”

She grips the long handle of the cart and wheels it away like her ass is on fire. Nora doesn’t seem to notice. Her gaze is locked on the two dozen sweet treats and pastries on display on a three-tiered serving plate. “This is insane.”

“No, it’s indulgent. There’s a difference.”

She tears her attention away from the desserts, and I’m struck by the glimmer of mischief dancing in her eyes. “Why do I get the feeling that indulging your whims isn’t new to you?”

“Because, as well as being beautiful, you are also a perceptive and highly intelligent woman.”

CHAPTER NINE

Nora

Brendan must be punking me because there’s no way a man like him could be real. Ruggedly handsome, with the chiseled jaw and sculpted body of a god, a business sense, money in the bank, and looking at me like I’m the cherry sitting at the top of his decadent seduction sundae.

Men just don’t look at me like this.

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