Page 67 of Illicit Heir

I slowly slide out of bed, get dressed, then stare at her.

She warns, "This isn't the time to linger. You know what'll happen if someone sees you."

She's right. I know she's right, as much as I don't want to admit it. So, I lean down and give her a final kiss.

She keeps her eyes closed and won't open them.

"If things were different—"

"They're not," she interjects.

I open my mouth again and snap it shut. What am I saying anyway? She's right. They're not different, and they never will be.

I force myself to leave and sneak through the alley, looking around, but there's nobody on the street. I get to my vehicle, start the engine, and get down the street before I realize I didn't even check it for bombs.

I have to start being smarter.

When I get into O'Connor territory, I turn my phone on, expecting a ton of messages from my brother, but there's only one.

Brody: You're playing with fire. It can't go anywhere with her.

What a fucking hypocrite. He and Alaina couldn't go anywhere and look at them now.

It doesn't matter. I'm not going to end up with an O'Leary woman.

Maybe I could.

How am I even thinking these thoughts? I'm done with Lauren now. My appetite for her is quenched. I just needed one more time.

Her face appears in my mind. I try to force it out, but it haunts me the entire ride. I get to my flat and message my brother.

Me: I don't know what you're talking about.

It's a stupid message to send. After all, I had to turn my phone on when I was in Coolock. I'm sure he saw it.

Brody: You went to see her.

I continue to lie.

Me: No, I didn't. I just needed a night away to think.

Brody: About what?

Me: None of your business.

Brody: You turned your phone off all night.

All night?

Does that mean he didn't know when I turned it on briefly in Coolock?

Maybe I did get away with it.

No, he knows.

He doesn't. He'd be ordering me to get to his house so he and Alaina can serve me another punishment.

I slide into my bed to sleep, but I can't stop thinking about Lauren. I'm worried she's sick, so I text her.

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