Page 66 of Forbidden Romeo

Kate snorts. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“What are you planning? If you’re going to sell me out to Padraic–”

“I’m not going to sell you out to Padraic,” Kate cuts me off firmly. “Or any of the otherDead Eyes.”

I feel somewhat thrown. “Then why bother coming here?”

“Because you were keeping something from me, and I wanted to know what it was,” she snaps. “I thought we were supposed to be on the same side.”

“You’re annoyed at me because I didn’t drag you into this mess?” I say in disbelief.

Kate lets out a tight laugh. “You wouldn’t beinthis mess if you’d told me what was going on before all this happened.”

I stare at her. “It’s not any of your concern.”

“Don’t be stubborn about this, Jack,” Kate says with an exasperated sigh. “Or maybe I will tell Padraic after all.”

“Why do you care?”

She shrugs again. “I like to know things. You hurt my feelings.”

Helpful.

I don’t have time for this. I simply turn on my heel and walk back toward the apartment door.

“Oh, and Jack?” Kate calls out.

I turn my attention to her, annoyance seeping into my tone. “What now?”

“There’s an update on the Arnie Knight situation,” she informs me.

“Time and place, Kate. I don’t care about that skinny prick right now.”

She hesitates for a moment as if gauging my reaction, then continues. “You might in a moment.”

Impatience rises within me. “Just spit it out already, Kate.”

“The alliance between the Maguires and the Novas has been confirmed,” she says slowly.

“We knew that already.”

Her eyes narrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Yes, but rumor has it, Connor is marrying off his sister to secure the deal.”

I feel a chill crawl up my spine as the significance of her words sinks in. It makes sense; a marriage alliance would benefit both the Maguires and the Novas. It’s not the first time the head of a family has married off their siblings or children to secure loyalty.

But if he intends to marry Aimee…

That sneaky bastard putting his hands on her, making love to her, and drawing out those delicious sounds I know she can make? The wave of jealousy hits me harder than a punch to the face. My own fists tighten in response, begging me to let them hit something until they’re bruised and bloodied.

If only Arnie was here right now.

Kate looks at me curiously. “You good?”

I simply nod, not trusting my voice.

“I don’t need to tell you thatthat–”She points over my shoulder toward the door. “--is a powder keg just begging you to let it explode.”

I turn my gaze toward the door, my jaw tightening. “I know.”

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