Page 113 of Broken Dreams

“I don’t believe that this is about dirty laundry, Theo,” Bryce O’Neill says. “My son, Adrain, has been telling me that he’s had an influx of patients at the hospital from Omega’s Haven recently. Many of them are victims of sex trafficking, which makes this an actual issue, gentlemen. Sticking our heads in thesand isn’t acceptable. Now that you’re deigning to speak to us, Quinn, I assume there’s a reason for it?”

I think I like him. I don’t need someone to kiss my ass. I just need a chance to plead my case.

“I have every reason to believe that he’ll resell me the second he can. When he turns up dead one day, I need you all to look the other way,”I say.

Gazing at me, Mr. O’Neill nods. “Not only will I do that, I’ll also stand with you amongst the rest of these louts to take his place on this council,” he says. “Adira shouldn’t be so outnumbered, anyway.”

Smirking, Adira inclines her head at him while I nod dumbfounded. I didn’t expect that he would be the one to offer support. It just goes to show that sometimes strangers are the ones who will be the first to stand with you.

“Aye, I will as well,” Corbin says, raising a glass.

“Fucking prick will deserve it,” Patrick Ryan mutters.

“I think you’re all moving too quickly,” Mr. Finnegan says. “What if she’s lying?”

“Your daughter’s name is Alisa, right?”I ask him, needing to put him in his place.

The Alisa I knew from the club didn’t start out there, because there are too many shadows in her eyes for that to be true, which means I’m safe to fuck with him.

“How do you know that name?” he asks, eyes wide.

“I know more than you think I do,”I say, hitting the record button and putting the tablet into my clutch with the stylus to show the conversation is over.

“You’re an insufferable brat,” he growls.

As he opens his mouth again, Cian reminds him, “It’s impolite to use your alpha bark in polite company, Theo.”

My father walks back in at that moment, and the tension in the room disappears immediately. No one wants to explain what we were talking about.

The beta waiter joins us as well to clear tables, and I have to say that I’m ready for this dinner to be over. I’ve said what I needed to say.

“Did I miss anything?” my father asks.

“Not at all,” Corbin says smoothly. “Did you hear about the arms dealer who came into town? Ambrose said he was at Celtic Knots and just hung out for a while.”

“Yeah?” my father says. “Wonder if he’s looking for work.”

“Eh, the lad looked sad,” Corbin says with a small shrug.

I feel this odd tingling as I follow the conversation, struggling to figure out why I feel this is important to me.

“Sad men can be just as dangerous,” Mr. Finnegan says.

Could this be Christian? All I ever knew about his job is that he had to travel a lot for it. I need to talk to the Kelly brothers about this. It’s really too close for comfort, and I don’t have time to process it right now.

My face needs to remain impassive and aloof. I can’t do that if I’m thinking about Christian Sanchez.

“It’s true,” Corbin murmurs. “I’ll watch out for it. I figured I’d bring it up. Ambrose said he was a good looking Latin man, and that he had a very devil may care attitude.”

“Sounds like he thinks he’s already lost everything,” Cian adds, not knowing how true that is.

It’s torture to remain in the room as they finish up, and the dessert plates are also removed.

Please God don’t decide to smoke cigars and shoot the shit together.I want to go home!

They chat a little longer before Corbin moves to stand.

“I’m too old to stay out late,” he says. “When is this party with all of the families going to be, Hudson? I think it’ll be agood idea to get Quinn reintroduced to everyone. This should be celebrated. Too often, people who disappear are never found.”

---