Page 57 of Illicit Heir

Samuel: He just pulled Lauren into the kitchen.

The hairs on my neck rise and my heart pounds harder.

Me: Find out what they're doing in there.

Samuel: That's a death sentence, and ya know it.

He's right, but that's not an excuse I'm willing to accept.

Me: It's your job. Are you unable to do your job?

Samuel: I'm not looking to die a painful death anytime soon.

Me: Figure out how to get in there. I want to know what's happening. That's an order.

A moment passes as I watch the dots appear in the message. It finally comes across.

Samuel: If you don't hear from me, it's because I'm dead from making a stupid move.

Me: Then don't make stupid moves.

I rise, then down my Guinness faster than normal. I toss cash onto the counter and leave the pub, stepping into the chilly air.

Declan nods at me, declaring, "No one's been near your car."

I have no reason not to trust Declan, but since I had my fun with Lauren, I've been more cautious than normal. So I take out my pen and check the car, ensuring there are no bombs.

Declan grumbles, "I said there was nothing to worry about, boss."

I spin on him. "Good. Make sure it stays that way."

"Of course I will," he insists.

I pat him on the shoulder, get into the car, and pause for a brief second. My chest tightens as I turn the ignition.

Relief hits me when the engine revs. Even though there weren't any bombs that I detected, the anxiety never goes away.

Plus, since we went to Dublin and returned, Caleb's recruited a lot of new members over the last month. He's starting to push the boundaries of our territory lines. So everything in my gut says war is about to happen again.

And it's not just me who feels it. Brody and Alaina are on edge. I wish I knew what Caleb had planned. But what's bothering me more is that I don't know what his plans for Lauren are, and that's dangerous.

I shouldn't care, yet I'm obsessed over it.

The usual disgust fills me, gnawing in my gut. I dwell on the same thing that I never get the answers to.

Girlfriend.

How the fuck could she ever let that thug touch her?

I drive down the road, unaware of where I'm heading, until I realize it's toward Coolock.

I mutter, "What am I doing? I need to go back."

My awareness of the situation does nothing to deter me. I don't turn around. I continue moving past the border of our territory.

The sun's fully set, and the darkness and fog grow. My headlights are the only source of light in front of me. I should move to the main road, but I stay off the beaten track.

I don't know why. It's slowing things down. And as much as I tell myself I'm not going to Coolock, I know I am.

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