Page 94 of Illicit Heir

"Actually, I do," her mum replies.

"Mum, let him in," Lauren asserts.

Her mum glances at her, questioning, "Now, why would I do that?"

Lauren comes over and opens the door wider. She firmly insists, "Mum, let him in."

Her mum shakes her head at me and finally steps back.

I come in and shut the door. I point to the table. "Let's go sit down."

"You aren't in charge of anyone in my house," her mum states.

I hold my hands in the air. "I come in peace. I'm not trying to be in charge of your house. I promise ya that."

Her mum scoffs. "Sure ya aren't," she says, then sits down.

Lauren gives me a curious look, then follows her mum.

I sit between them.

Her mum says, "I'd offer ya a cuppa, but I don't offer my enemies anything."

I have to give it to this woman. She has a lot of strength to go up against me. So I once again try to reassure her. "I'm not here to fight, nor am I here to harm ya. I just want to talk."

"Talk about what?" her mum asks.

"Mum, could ya tone it down a bit?" Lauren reprimands.

Surprise fills her mum's expression before she hardens it again. She asks, "And why would I do that?"

Lauren darts her eyes at me, then back to her mum. "Let's just hear what he has to say and then he can go. Right? You'll go as soon as ya say whatever ya need to?" she asks, turning to me.

Nothing in my body wants to leave her, but I agree. "Aye. Let's have a conversation."

Her mum sits back and crosses her arms, her glare only intensifying, hatred swirling in the air around us.

Lauren gives me a confused, fearful expression.

I take a deep breath. "I spoke with Alaina before I came here."

"Traitor," her mum mutters.

"Mum, stop," Lauren orders.

I hold in a laugh. Her mum's growing on me. She's a moody old bitch, but I like it. Lauren has a lot of her mum's traits. And I had heard she was a tough bird. Still, I need to win her over. So I start again. "Alaina told me she offered ya the pub. Ya need to take it back."

Her mum snarls, "We aren't O'Connors. We never have been and never will be."

Lauren stays quiet.

I turn toward her. "Your furniture's in your flat. It's ready for ya to return whenever you're ready to take back the pub."

She gapes at me.

Her mum narrows her eyes at me. "What do ya know about her flat?"

The hairs on my neck rise.

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