Page 81 of Illicit Heir

She recovers, and her eyes turn to slits. "Ya don't have a right to judge me."

"Don't I?"

She tilts her head. "Ya better watch your mouth, Devin."

"Or what, Alaina? Ya can always speak your mind, but I can't speak mine since you'd have to look at the truth of what you've allowed to happen?"

Tension builds between us, then she sighs. Calm replaces her glare. She sits down at the desk and points across from her. "Sit down. Get whatever ya want to say off your chest."

I don't take the seat. I just cross my arms and shake my head. "It's pretty sad to me. Ya want to make all these claims about O'Leary women and what they will and won't do or the choices they have or don't have, but ya did nothing to protect them tonight."

"Brody told me they're fine. There were no barmaids killed. They're all fine, including Lauren," she claims.

I push. "Is that how ya sleep at night? They're fine, so it's okay that ya put them at risk?"

She purses her lips and presses her fingers together. Then she asks, "Why do ya care so much, Devin? Lauren get under your skin? Do ya think there's a future for the two of ya?"

I don't tell her that she's hypocritical. That would be admitting that I think about it. Hell, I'd have to admit to myself that I think about it. So I continue to scowl and say, "I hope you're proud of yourself." I turn and exit the room, returning to the game room.

When I walk in, Dante's phone rings. He answers it. "Aye?"

The room goes silent. He squeezes his eyes shut. "You've got to be kidding me. They escaped? How the hell did you let that happen?"

The hairs on my neck rise. One thing that I was looking forward to was Caleb, along with all the O'Leary men, dying. My gut tells me the phone call is about Caleb.

Dante blurts out, "You better find them," and hangs up.

"Who escaped?" Brody questions.

Dante relays, "Caleb and his brothers."

"Ya got to be fucking kidding me. How the fuck did those bastards get away with that?" Tynan blurts out.

Anger fills the room. It figures that Caleb got away. I'm sure he didn't even look to protect Lauren.

Brody picks up the phone, hits a button, then orders, "Take out the authorities. Make sure it's a ghost town."

Another rush of panic fills me. I go into the bathroom again and pull out my phone. I send Lauren a text.

Me: Whatever ya do, stay in your flat. Get back into the bathroom.

Lauren the Enemy: What are ya talking about? Your guy just said we could stay anywhere in the flat.

Me: Just do it. And delete these messages again.

A long time passes. I pace the game room, try not to pull my hair, and Brody confirms we've taken over the garda station.

I text Lauren.

Me: Are ya still in the bathroom?

Lauren the Enemy: Yea.

Me: Good. Ya can roam around the flat. Delete this chain.

Only a bit of relief hits me. Until this night's over, and I feel her in my arms again, I won't rest.

What am I thinking?

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