Page 284 of 7+Us Makes Nine

We both laughed. Then Lucas looked up at me.

“That’s Eden. I’ve known her for years, she was a friend of my kid cousin. Never used to be that good. She’s filled out in the last year or so. Now it’s hard to look at her as an old friend, y’know.”

I nodded, thoughtfully. “Know what you mean, bro. Plus Maria would rip your balls off if she caught you cheating!”

Lucas leaned forward, looking around for anyone within earshot. He had a serious expression on his face, and spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone.

“Listen Jack, I ain’t supposed to tell you this. But it's relevant, given the new case you’ve probably got on Monday.” He paused to take another gulp of beer, as if to steady himself.

“She used to date Conall O’Rourke. Way back, when you were working undercover. She was the reason he got free. Wouldn’t talk. Think he scared her shitless.”

My mind started to race, going over my time undercover. I hadn’t really associated with Conall O’Rourke. He had been lazy, living off his uncle’s power and wealth. I had risen above him in the gang, and it wasn’t even worth dealing with lowlife scum like him. I had to get dirt on the big boys.

But I remembered seeing a young teenage girl once when I was round the O’Rourkes. Small, skinny. Long dark hair. Scared. Bloodshot eyes, looking tired and fed up.

No shit. Well, she ain’t a little girl anymore, that's for sure.

“So you’re telling me that the hottest girl in this town used to date the guy I’m gonna be taking down? Goldie O’Hanlan told me Conall boy is back and means business.” It was my turn to take a gulp of beer, cursing my luck. I shook my head in disbelief.

Lucas nodded at me thoughtfully. “I thought so. Seemed to me that was the only way this meth was re-appearing everywhere at once. He’s laid low, let things quiet down. Now he’s cornering the meth market in town, street by street. There’s been disappearances, changes in allegiances. Hell, I’ve seen sworn enemies working the same corners.

“Thing is, Eden had dirt on him. She shoulda talked, but was too afraid. Conall must have scared her shitless. Hate to think what he did to her, threatened her with.” Lucas grimaced.

“If I wasn’t a cop I would have killed him myself.” He looked down at his glass, thoughtfully. I sensed that an old regret had surfaced within Lucas. That he had demons of

his own.

“Listen to me, Lucas. You did the right thing. You go around, start killing people who piss you off? You’re no better than them. That’s why you joined the force. You’re one of the good guys.”

He looked up at me, nodding gratefully.

I laughed, winking at him. “Fuck it, I’m still gonna chat her up. Conall or no Conall O’Rourke. I’m gonna ask her out.”

Maybe I can look after her. Help her out if Conall comes back to visit, if he ain’t already. If she’s got no-one, she might be scared shitless. I’m not gonna let Conall hurt her a second time.

Plus I really wanna see what’s under those tight clothes she’s wearing...

EIGHT

Eden

My mood started to lift immediately as soon as Cindy told me Jack was a cop, a detective at that. I felt the relief loosen my tight chest, and I started to breathe normally, worry evaporating. I found myself furtively looking his way every now and then, seeing if he was looking back at me.

I glanced his way again to find him staring back at me. I smiled. There was an unreadable expression on his face, a glint in his eye. Our eyes locked for a long moment, and Jack grinned back at me.

Wow, he looks even hotter when he smiles. Nice teeth.

Our moment was ruined by Lucas, who was waving at me with an inane grin on his face. I started, and turned away, face flushing at the feeling of desire rising within me.

I walked over to pour out another beer for one of the regulars whose glass was empty. I felt Cindy brush past me.

“That’s more like it, girl,” she whispered as she tapped me playfully on the butt.

I gasped with mock indignation, mouth wide and frowning at her.

I slapped her on the ass as she bent down to grab a glass from the fridge behind me. The regulars laughed enthusiastically.

Cindy was smiling as she took the bottle to a customer. She blew me a kiss.

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