Page 67 of Forbidden Romeo

Her eyes narrow, a flicker of concern crossing her face. “You are going to have to be careful.”

I crack my neck and take a moment to let the tension seep out of my body. “Always am.”

Kate just snorts. But then her voice lowers. “I can only cover for you for so long. Padraic is already impatient, and when those scouts report back…”

I take a look at the concern flooding her expression and smirk. “Careful, Kate, it’s starting to sound like you’re worried about me.”

She exhales sharply, her voice tinged with frustration. “I’m worried about the family, Jack. Your house arrest or whatever punishment Padraic is putting you through now has been divisive enough as it is.”

Curiosity tugs at me. “What do you mean?”

Her gaze meets mine, filled with a mix of warning and concern. “Padraic is still putting off choosing a new heir. Everyone’s on edge with the Maguires crawling out of the woodwork. So if it comes down to it…”

I lean in closer, our voices reduced to a mere whisper. “Are you saying people would back me in a coup?”

“I’m saying,” she hisses, coming closer so that she’s barely breathing the words, “that this is political, Jack. And that girl in there will not improve your standing.”

Another smirk forms on my lips. “Are you my campaign manager now?”

She leans back, her gaze unwavering. “No. I’m your right hand.”

It’s not something we’ve ever discussed, but there’s something in her eyes that tells me I’ll have a fight on my hands if I deny her. But really, why would I? She’s the only person I trusted enough to tell about Aimee, the only person who truly feels the way I do about Graham. Despite our differences, our childhood rivalry, I look back on growing up with the two of them now so fucking fondly.

“If only Graham could see us now,” I comment.

The hard lines on Kate’s face melt into a sad smile. “Then let’s do him proud.”

I nod at her as she turns away down the corridor.

Throughout the whole exchange, I can practically feel Aimee’s eyes burning through the door. For a moment, I wonder how much she heard, but I put it to the back of my mind. There are more important things.

Like a shower.

I can feel a tension headache coming on, and it only gets worse every time I think of the name Arnie fucking Knight.

When I enter the apartment again, it doesn’t look like Aimee has moved at all. She just stares at me as I close the door behind me and walk toward the bathroom.

“You going to stand there all day?” I ask.

She doesn’t respond, and a glance over my shoulder tells me that she has no intention of engaging in conversation that doesn’t involve that knife at my throat.

Shower it is.

Closing the bathroom door behind me, I immediately stick the shower on to let it run. I lean against the sink as the steam begins to fill the room.

The anxiety finally breaks through my carefully built walls.

What the hell am I doing? I can’t keep Aimee here against her will, but I can’t sit by and let Padraic take her and use her in one of his games.

I can’t let her marry Arnie Knight.

I growl at myself.

No. What Aimee does or doesn’t do when this is all over is none of my concern right now. I have an entire mob looking for her, and it’s only a matter of time before they catch up with me and punish me for betraying the family.

I had a plan before. It could still work, but…

I can’t let her marry Arnie Knight.

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