Page 89 of The Irish Redemption

“I trust my assistance was well received?”

Evie frowns. “Your assistance?”

“When we last spoke, you made a good point about the level of effectiveness I held in the situation between Families. Oddly, there was a file on a suspect that went missing and I can only assume it ended up in the right hands.”

As Evie and I stare at each other, it suddenly clicks in my mind and I mute the microphone on the call. “It was her. She left the file on the driver, which eventually led me to you. It was a small crumb, but still a crumb.”

Evie nods and unmutes. “It was received well,” she replies. “Thank you. That can’t have been an easy decision for you to make.”

“It wasn’t, but I believe there’s a time and a place for the law, and sometimes, there’s a need for other things. We also pulled the body of a man from the river this morning. He was bloated, but fingerprintshelped us identify him. It turns out he was a match for the man we were looking for regarding the body you found.”

My heart squeezes faintly in my chest, and Evie lifts her hand to cup my cheek. “Oh?”

“I’ll be clear with you, Evelyn. Does that body mean I don’t have to worry about my city turning into a warzone?”

“Yes,” Evie replies. “You’re safe in that regard. There won’t be any further issues.”

Sarah sighs deeply, like the years are being stripped away from her. “Alright. Well, I say this with as much respect as I can muster, but I hope I never see you again—either of you.”

The call ends and Evie laughs loudly. “Did she know she was on speaker?”

“Probably.” I lean down and kiss her sweetly. “She’s pretty sharp for a detective.”

“Aren’t they all sharp? Isn’t that why they’re detectives?”

“You and I have different definitions of sharp.” I kiss her nose. “But now I’m in debt to a detective and I don’t like it, so I'd better find a way I can help her with something, and quickly.”

“Her help puts you in debt?”

“I don’t like owing anyone anything.”

“Even me?” Evie flutters her lashes, and I claim her lips in a deep kiss.

“I owe you everything.”

Our mouths weave poetry together until Evie suddenly jerks away and sits up. “Oh, no. I’m late to see my mother!”

Evie’s visit with her mother went smoother than expected. She walked inside with confidence and was honest with her, to a point. She confessed about her credit card debt but puts focus on how she got her act together and found a way to pay it off. She tells her straight how happy she is forging her own path in life and that she wants her mother to be by her side but refuses to tolerate the bullying and disrespect anymore. She spoke with such confidence that I fell in love with her all over again. She’s so different from the scared, quiet girl I snatched up all those weeks ago.

Trauma shapes people, but it makes me giddy to see Evie grow into this strong woman who wears survival like a badge.

Evie then introduces me formally as her boyfriend, and I remain as pleasant as I can be as her mother breaks down in tears. There’s a moment where the tears feel manipulative as her mother expresses how deeply lonely she is and all she wants is a daughter who will care for her. The tears turn genuine when Evie assures her that she will always be there for her and always a phone call away. Evie promises that even though they will never see eye to eye, she loves her and all her mother needs to do is call.

I’ve never been prouder. That pride remains blooming in my chest when we make our next stop of the day. Holly.

She greets us warmly but breaks down as Evelyn gently tells her the truth surrounding Brenden’s death.

“Is it my fault?” She sobs, struggling to light her cigarette. “Is it my fault he’s dead?”

Evie sits by her side on the couch and takes the cigarette from her trembling fingers. Then she lights it herself and hands it back. “Of course it’s not your fault. Noah was insane. While his jealousy was a contributing factor, he was disillusioned about an old deal long before you were in the picture.”

“My God,” Holly whimpers, drawing desperately on her cigarette.

“You should know, Holly,” I say quietly. “Brenden kept you a secret. I knew my brother inside and out, and the only reason he would do that was because you were incredibly dear to him. He really loved you.”

Holly weeps harder, and I immediately understand that she feels the same way. Their love was real, and she carries as much pain as the rest of us.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Evie takes her hand and squeezes, while Holly shakes her head.

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