Page 87 of Forbidden Romeo

The Duffy garage is four times the size of Jack’s basement.

I’m thankful for the blacked-out windows of Kate’s sports car as I watch the steady stream ofDead Eyescoming in and out. Some drop cars off, others take them. A couple of guys in overalls are replacing a tire on a Mustang with the unmistakable denting of bullet holes along the bodywork.

How my brother thinks he could ever stand a chance against these guys… The sheer amount ofwealththe Duffys have is mind-altering. The cheapest of these cars could probably buy ]the decrepit Maguire mansion two or three times over. If it’s even still standing.

Kate said she’d be back in five minutes about twenty minutes ago, but I think I used up all my nerves confronting Padraic, and I don’t have any to spare to go looking for her. Besides, it’s not like I really care if she’s okay, only that she promised to get me the hell out of here.

As if I summoned her with my thoughts, Kate walks into the garage, dangling her keys in one hand and holding two iced lattes in the other. She hands a cup to me wordlessly as she climbs into the driver’s seat.

“Thanks,” I say, taking a generous gulp immediately. Dear God, that hits the spot.

“You seemed like you needed a distraction.”

“What I need is a getaway car,” I say pointedly before taking another sip. “But this is helping.”

Kate starts up the engine. “So about that…”

I groan. Of course. “Did Jack get to you?”

“Maybe,” she says as she pulls out of the garage and back down the driveway to the gates.

I watch out the window as the doorman merely waves Kate through before returning his attention to the three ginormous hounds at his feet. Why does everything in this place feel like it’s on steroids?

“If you’re not helping me escape,” I say, turning my attention back to the road, “where are we going?”

“That would ruin the surprise,” Kate replies with a crooked smile.

“So, you’re kidnapping me.”

“Exactly.”

I sink back into the luxurious leather seat and close my eyes, “Well, it’s not like my day could get much worse.”

“Heard you went toe to toe with Padraic,” Kate says conversationally. “Impressive.”

“You wouldn’t think so if you felt my heart rate right now.”

I hear Kate chuckle softly, “He still scares the shit out of me.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, well… I’m his favorite for a reason.”

I crack open an eye to see if she’ll elaborate. Kate catches my glance and lets out a sigh.

“Yes, sir, no sir, three bags full, sir. I’ve been at his beck and call for years because I’m terrified of making the wrong move,” she confesses. “Jack, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have that problem.”

Ugh. “I don’t want to talk about Jack right now.”

“Don’t worry; we have plenty of time for you to warm up to it.”

***

A salon. Kate kidnapped me to a salon.

The large glass doors stand before us. Intimidating in a way to keep the general riff-raff from the street from entering. Glancing at Kate’s thigh-high boots and Gucci sunglasses, I suddenly feel entirely underdressed.

“Will they even let me in?” I say a little nervously.

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