Page 161 of An Unholy Affair
‘If it makes you feel any better,’ said Finn. ‘He didn’t go anywhere near Summer.’
‘Willow?’ Henry asked.
‘No.’
‘Thank god.’
‘He chatted to your mom and mammy for a while, but they had him under control.’
‘In what way?’
‘Your mammy pinched his cheeks like he was a cute little baby, then left with your mom to go and dance.’
Henry gave a stern smile. ‘Good.’
‘Jack,’ Connor asked. ‘How areyoudoing?’
Howwashe doing? His emotions were flayed and raw.
‘I… I want to tell you all a couple of things.’ He swallowed. ‘You know I’ve hardly been back to Foxbrooke since we left school because of Dad…’
His friends nodded.
‘But Dad’s dead now and I’ve met Eveline, and…’It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t take me back. ‘I’m staying here.’
‘What about your work?’ Henry asked.
Jack stared at his hands, his heart rate rising. ‘I…’ He took a breath. ‘I don’t want this to be common knowledge, but you’re my closest friends and I don’t want to keep lying to you.’
At the edges of his vision, he could see them leaning closer.
‘What about Stelle?’ Finn asked.
‘Eveline knows and I expect she’ll tell Stelle at some point,’ he replied. ‘I’d rather it came from her than me, to be honest.’
‘Tell her what?’ Henry asked.
‘About my real job. I’m not a party-planner. The Winter Ball was the first event I’ve ever had anything to do with setting up.’ He raised his head to look at Henry. ‘I’m sorry for lying to you.’
Henry shrugged. ‘Don’t be. You did an amazing job and more than doubled our profits. If you’re staying in Foxbrooke, then I want you to do it again next year.’
‘So, whatisyour job in France?’ Connor asked. ‘And why the secrecy?’
The back of Jack’s neck pricked with sweat.
‘You don’t have to tell us,’ Connor continued.
Jack cleared his throat. ‘I want to. I think it’ll help me draw a line under it and move on. I don’t want it to be a part of my life anymore, or define who I am.’
The silence roared as his friends waited.
‘For over a decade now,’ he continued. ‘I’ve been earning money on the edges of the law. I’m very successful, but—’
‘Holy shit,’ Finn interrupted. ‘You’re a contract killer… Like John Wick.’
‘No!’Fuck’s sake. ‘Why is that everyone’s first thought?’
Finn shrugged. ‘Because it’s cool?’
