Page 80 of Bartered Innocence

Nico and Sebastian exchange looks, having a private conversation we’re not privy to. “Her brother?”

“Has to be. It’s not a coincidence.”

“We still have to find the connection to Luca.”

Declan clears his throat, interrupting their back and forth. “I may have a lead on that.” He pulls up his screen and Sebastion scowls at the screenshots of Gio. “They’ve never been in the same area at the same time, but he’s been in the surrounding areas, usually a few hours before she shows up.”

“Gio’s father has so many bastards across the Tri-State, I wouldn’t doubt if she’s one of them,” Cormac says leadingly, shrugging with a smirk.

“So you think Gio may have hid her, not Luca?” Sebastian asks, frowning as his eyebrows dip.

“That’s where I would start,” Declan says.

I crack my knuckles, trying to keep up with the information. I’ve given Declan the lead to find all this information, deciding to check in with him later to fully understand what he had been tasked with looking for. “If Gio is hiding her, what else is he doing under Luca’s nose?”

Sebastian glances at me, his icy eyes darkening with frustration. “And who's to say Luca’s sparrows only report to him?”

I snap my fingers, then point at him. “Bingo, but I’m not going to give the bastard the benefit of the doubt just yet.”

“But your girl may be the thread that pulls the whole thing loose. Keep us updated, aye?” Cormac says, patting Sebastian on the shoulder.

Declan shuts down the laptop and hands it over to Nico. “You can keep it. I uploaded as much information as I could find.”

Sebastian and I stand up. We watch each other for a second before he sticks out his hand.

“If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

Masking my shock, I take his outstretched hand. “This was for the information you provided. We’re even.”

His grin has that creepiness again, and I pull away, half-tempted to wipe my fingers on my pants.

“Maybe we can be allies.”

Declan shifts closer to him. “Do you still have ties to Hastings Global?”

Sebastion’s attention shifts to him, confused. “Yes, we invested a large amount into their newest acquisition.”

“His wife discreetly owns an escort company that Luca uses. Could you convince him to add someone for us?”

My lips tighten, but I don’t say anything because Declan is responsible for building a lot of Aisling’s background.

“An escort, Declan? She’ll kill you,” Cormac says, not having the same issue as me.

He shakes his head. “I already asked. Luca only has one weakness when it comes to women, and it’s the one he pays for. Just like yours is picking up women at bars.”

I scowl, hating the reminder that Luca possibly planted Isabelle there that night.

Sebastian chuckles, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his pants. “I could get her in, as long as there’s no blowback on his wife. I doubt they can guarantee she’s chosen though.”

Cormac snickers. “He’ll choose her. Aisling will make sure of it.”

“Then consider it done. I’ll pass his number along.” Sebastian glances back at me, nodding. “Best of luck or whatever you Irish fucks say.”

He and Nico leave the room as we watch, unamused.

Aodhan shakes his head, picking up his abandoned cards and shuffling the deck. “Something not right in the head with that one.”

“Does that surprise you? His father is the Butcher,” Cormac adds, gathering up the rest of the cards and raising his eyebrow. “You gonna play a few more rounds or you heading back to Isabelle?”

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