Page 83 of Shattered Union

Her eyes widen. "Wait, what?" she hisses at me. "Someone did what?"

"Reported me for some shit the Gards wouldn't divulge. I can't deal with this," I tell her as the tears sting the back of my eyes. "It's too much on top of everything else." I shake my head when she moves to hug me. If she touches me, I'll lose it and sob. "I'll be back in a while," I tell her as I turn on my heel and walk back toward my office.

Sinking into my plush leather seat at my desk, I take a couple of steadying breaths. I need to focus, keep my head in the game and break down later on. Once my mind is clear, I pick up my phone and dial a number I haven't used in a while.

"Well, isn't this a coincidence? I was just thinking about you."

I smile at the deep voice. "It's been a long time, Bernard. A really long time. How's tricks?"

My cousin chuckles. "Grand, the same ol' shite, just a different day. What about you, any craic?"

"Ah, now, Bernard. I've a lot to tell you and I doubt a phone call will suffice."

"Which pub are you working at this evening?" he asks without hesitation.

"I'm in Temple Bar," I say just as my office door opens and I'm not surprised to see Denis standing there with a scowl.

I get up off my chair and wave him over. He instantly knows what I want and closes the door and stalks toward me, grabbing my hand and taking a seat in the chair I've just vacated, pulling me down onto his lap in the process.

"I'm about to clock off. You caught me at a good time. I can be there in an hour."

"Bernard, there's a reason I called. I need your help."

His laugh is deep and contagious, making me smile. "I should have known, what's up, oh dear cousin of mine?"

"Well, the Gards raided my pub this evening. Over five fucking hours they were here. Someone grassed me up and I do not know who or what they've said about me. I need you to find out for me."

Denis's hands tighten around me as he releases a string of curses.

"Fucking hell, Callie girl. What the hell? Did the Gards that were there tell you anything?"

"No, the arsehole said they couldn't divulge that information," I mimic in their deep voice.

"I'm on it. I'll swing by the pub when I'm finished. Don't worry, Callie, they obviously found nothing, otherwise they would have hauled you in here. I'll find out who the hell called in with the information and we can go from there," Bernard says.

"Thanks, when you get here, I'll make sure there's food for you and some drinks."

He chuckles once again. "Callie girl. Not one of us pay for drinks when we come to your pubs, anyway."

"Shut it," I gripe without heat. "I'll see you soon."

"Soon," he promises and ends the call.

I throw my phone down onto the table and lean back against Denis and let him hold me tight. Slowly, my anger fades.

"What happened?" he asks and I realise I'm not the only one that's angry about this situation.

"I got a phone call from Preston. He's the manager here, well, one of them. The Gards showed up with a warrant and started searching the pub. They wrecked the place. Chairs and stools were broken." I glance around my office and see it's still in a bit of disarray. "They came in here and started emptying the draws and filing cabinets."

"Let me get this straight," he rumbles. "Some cunt calls the Gards with information about you. False information," he snarls. "They tear your pub apart and then won't tell you what they were looking for or who the fuck called them?"

Turning in his lap so I'm straddling him. "I'm so pissed off right now, I don't think I've ever been as angry as I am right now and that says a lot considering who my brother is."

"Calm down,mo ghrá, it's not good for you or the babies," he says softly.

I roll my eyes. God, that's such a cliche thing to say. "We're fine, Denny. Someone is messing with my business and I will not sit back and let it happen."

He nods in approval. "Okay, baby, we'll find out who's done this and then we'll make them pay."

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