Page 73 of Illicit Heir

I can't help but wonder if Devin is telling the truth. I don't know what to make of his call. He was so insistent, yet he showed me the night we met that he knows how to play games.

He's an O'Connor.

Why would he go against his family to warn me?

My allegiance is with the O'Learys. It's my duty to tell Caleb.

What would I say? Devin O'Connor just called?

"Ugh!" I sit up and put a hand over my face and the other over my belly, warding off another round of queasiness.

Am I getting sick?

I rack my brain if anyone's had the flu around me, but nobody I know has been ill. I breathe for a few minutes, and it passes.

What am I going to do?

I pick up my phone. I text Devin.

Me: Are you lying to me?

Devin: No. I wish I were, but I'm not.

My stomach flips. I debate more about whether to trust him, but my gut screams that I need to.

But what exactly is going to happen?

The thought of something happening to my pub again makes me feel sicker. I rise and go to my kitchen cabinet. I pull out a box of crackers and try to eat a few. Then I get dressed. I make sure my phone is set to vibrate and toss it in my pocket.

I make my way downstairs. The pub is full of men, more jovial than normal, waiting for the strippers to arrive. It's not the first time Caleb's paraded them into our pub.

I glance at my watch. They'll be here in the next half hour. Time is of the essence if what Devin says is true.

My mum's talking to two regulars. I don't say anything to them and pull her aside.

"Lauren, what's going on?" she questions.

I glance behind her, then nod to go into the kitchen.

She follows me.

I order Bradan, "Go take a break."

"Aye," he replies, then grabs his cigarettes and steps outside.

Mum crosses her arms, demanding, "Lauren, what's the fuss about?"

"Take the night off, Mum."

Her eyes turn to slits. "Now, why would I do that?"

Butterflies replace my queasiness. I claim, "Ya don't need to be here to witness Caleb's debauchery tonight."

Mum's disapproval shows on her face. She states, "Neither do you. Why don't you be the one to take it off, dear?"

And that's just like Mum. Bury whatever Caleb wants to parade around me under the rug and act like he can't do any wrong. It angers me that she thinks I should accept that behavior.

Stay on task, I remind myself. This isn't the time to think about Caleb and my mum's disregard for his actions.

---