Page 66 of Dublin Charmer
“Safe home, babe. And if something goes wrong, just say the word and we’ll flood the place and pull ye out.”
I sigh, leaning my head back against the seat. That’s what I’m afraid of. Billy can’t know about my tie to the Quinns or everything will blow up in my face.
“No. Until Gio is safe, you have to let me handle it. Don’t step in.”
“Maybe we do and we end this and take him out.”
“No. He might have contingencies for that.”
“He won’t. He’s too arrogant to believe we could get to him.”
“You don’t know him like I do.” The words come out sharper than intended. “He’s paranoid. Ruthless. If he spots any of you?—”
“We know how to stay hidden.”
I almost laugh. The Quinns, with their broad shoulders and intimidating presence, aren’t exactly inconspicuous. Even Finn, the most subtle of the brothers, carries himself with that unmistakable Quinn confidence.
“Just stay back.” My voice softens. “No matter what happens in there, don’t come in unless I call.”
“Emilia—”
Him using my real name nearly does me in. I draw a steadying breath and work to put my walls back up so I can be strong enough to do this. “Finn, please. Promise me.”
My plea hangs in the air between us for a moment. “All right. I promise. We won’t come in unless it’s obvious yer in terrible danger.”
That’s as good as I’m going to get from him, so I move on. I check my watch—two minutes until I’m officially late.
“I need to go.” My fingers hover over the door handle, reluctant to break the connection. “With any luck, I’ll be out in twenty minutes, and we can get back to finding Gio.”
“Be careful, babe.” His voice drops lower, intimate. “And remember, I’m right outside if ye need me.”
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
“Finn, if something goes wrong...” The words stick in my throat. There’s so much I want to say, but nothing feels adequate. “Don’t leave Gio in that cell. Find him, okay?”
“Ye have my word, but don’t think like that. Nothing will go wrong.”
I wish I had his confidence.
“Goodbye, Finn.” I end the call before he can respond, and before I can say something I’ll regret.
Or worse, something I mean.
The phone feels heavy in my hand. I slip it into my pocket and step out into the spine-chilling rain, hunching against the wind. Each step toward the diner’s entrance feels like moving through molasses. My instincts scream at me to turn around, to run back to the compound, to Finn’s warm bed and safer problems.
Instead, I pull open the door, the bell jingling cheerfully above my head.
The smell of coffee and grease envelopes me as I head straight toward the back. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach, heavy as concrete.
I may never see Finn Quinn again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Nyx
The diner is pretty much empty, with just a few locals hunched over coffee mugs, seeking refuge from the storm. I nod to the woman behind the counter and head straight toward the private room in the back. She’s seen me in here a bunch of times and doesn’t bother to try to seat me.
I’m three minutes late but I already know Billy isn’t here. His car wasn’t outside, and he loves to make me wait. It makes him feel like a big man to laud himself over others.
