Page 72 of Killian

He studies me. “Interesting. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that you might have feelings for her.”

“That’s none of your business.”

He cracks a smile. “Oh yeah. I think I hit the nail on the head.” He pauses. “You wear the ring because of her, don’t you?” He raises a brow when I don’t speak. “Listen, I won’t say that I’m happy about this. I knew you had some kind of ulterior motive to ask for her, but she didn’t seem afraid of you, so I let it play out. I’ve had eyes on you. I’ve seen you take her out in public. I know about the touches and kisses. I’ve let her have her freedom, even if I didn’t agree with it. I’ve also seen you protect her, as you said you would. If she chooses you, I’ll support her decision, but if she doesn’t? I’ll support that decision too.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“Good. Now is that all, or did you want to braid my hair next?”

I chuckle. “You would look a mess if I tried to braid your hair.”

He shrugs. “Get out of here before people start talking. This was a friendly conversation about business. Let’s leave Greer out of it.”

“Agreed. Thank you.”

Heading out of there, I feel lighter. I thought Bastiano would put up a bigger fight, but he didn’t. It seems he’s not as opposed to us being a couple as she imagined he would be. It makes me wonder what else she has blown up in her head.

She’ll come to me. Hopefully she comes tonight. If not, I’ll have to coax her in somehow.

Heading back to the house, I send everyone away. I don’t want anyone around to overhear what I plan to say to her.

When she leaves here, she will know how I feel about her once and for all. She will know exactly what I’m willing to do to have her return that love. If, in the end, she still doesn’t want it, she will also know I will respect that decision. That’s it. The big gesture.

I hope it works out the way it’s supposed to.

The need tofinish this project up has only intensified since earlier. Not only am I in a constant state of frustration from being unable to break the code, but I’m also depressed by the dreary future. The freedom I once craved now seems like the final nail in the coffin.

And there’s no one to blame but myself.

Pushing Killian from my mind, I concentrate on the lines of code in front of me. Whoever is on the other end is good, but I know I’m better. I just need to refocus on the task at hand.

Hours of banging away at the computer leaves my eyes watery. Getting up, I leave my laptop on the bed to get a new bottle of water. When I come back, my eyes widen. My software found a door.

Scrambling back to the bed, I dive back in with renewed vigor. It doesn’t take much longer after that.

I feel my lips pull up into a grin as I squeal in delight. I jump up, doing a celebratory dance.

I’m in!

I let myself have that moment before sitting back down, unable to keep the smile from my face. As I continue to maneuver through the system, I look for clues as to who is behind all of this.

My elation is short-lived. As I continue to look through the files on the screen, my heart drops.

It can’t be.

My eyes start to water. This has to be a joke. There is no way in hell what I’m seeing is the truth.

On the screen, I see the clear link. Money from the various businesses for the Irish being funneled through to an offshore account. That’s not what is surprising. The name on the account has my stomach feeling like it’s filled with lead.

Killian O’Reilly.

There is no way he would have me investigate into this if it was him. That would be a terrible move, especially since he knows how good I am.

Maybe he has someone better hiding it. Maybe it’s a facade.

No. Not Killian. I know him. I love him.

I’m so conflicted with my feelings that I almost miss the little bubble pop up on the bottom corner of my screen.

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