Page 10 of Of Grief And Gratitude

“Fair enough.” My father’s fingers tapped against the table, but he nodded and looked pointedly at me. “We’re trying a new tactic after recent events. A drop was compromised by paparazzi, and with the current attention, we can't afford for more reporters to have unfortunate accidents.”

I kept my expression neutral.

“Given the nature of the embarrassment to both families, Seamus has kindly volunteered his family’s help quelling the media firestorm.” My father motioned toward the other end of the table. “Why don’t you explain.”

“Fair enough.” Seamus leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “We’ve no desire to see either family name dragged through the mud. Riona here has a degree and works as a fixer of sorts. She’s worked with celebrities to improve their public images. She can help Romeo.”

I bit my tongue hard enough that the metallic tang of blood seeped across my tastebuds. “I fail to see how some socialite suck-up is going to help.”

The woman glared daggers at me with her blue eyes. “I grew up in Chicago, and socialites thrive on the kind of drama you created for yourself. I specialize in subtle changes that create a big impact on public perception. You’ll create healthy habits the world can see, stop any drug and alcohol use—”

“I’m not an addict,” I snapped, looking at my oldest brother. Dante just pursed his lips and gave a subtle shake of his head to warn me about my attitude.

“That’s not what I said,” Riona clarified. “I just mean that when you’re in public, stick to coffee, water, and fancy smoothies. Embrace that healthy persona to accompany the gym bro appearance.”

I gaped at her thinly veiled insult. “Gym bro.”

“Isn’t that what you do?” She looked down at a folder in front of her. “You run the Neretti gyms.”

“I own and run Flex, a chain of luxury fitness centers across the city.” I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted a brow at her.

“Right. Gyms.” Riona arched a carefully penciled brow in return.

“For somebody who is supposed to help with public image, you’re not very personable yourself,” I said drily. Dante elbowed me in the ribs.

Seamus cleared his throat, drowning out whatever retort Riona had tried to issue. “I understand there was a security issue involved in this snafu.”

“We’ve taken care of it,” my father said with a dismissive wave. I silently fumed at the flippant way he spoke about murdering an innocent woman. To her credit, Riona’s fair skin paled even more at the realization.

Seamus nodded, but I didn’t miss the tick of his jaw. Shane’s fists clenched, and Sean glowered at the opposite end of the table. Only Sam sat with a blank expression. The poker face made me curious about the youngest son.

The O’Connor patriarch broke the tense silence. “Perhaps we should let these two work on an action plan.”

My father nodded once. “Agreed. I’m sure they’re more than capable of handling the finer details. As long as our names stay clean, I don’t give a fuck how you do it.”

He nodded again and stood, buttoning his black pinstripe suit and tipping his head toward the door. His men and my brothers followed him out. So much for my family having my back. They were leaving me to deal with the harpy.

The O’Connors followed suit, though Seamus left one of his men standing by the door. Soon enough, Riona and I were the only ones sitting at the table. A smiling server bustled in with fresh house bread and butter. After taking one look at us, her smile dropped, and she left again without a word.

“What exactly is it that you think you can do for me?” I asked the redhead.

“Not for you,” she corrected me. “For the O’Connors. Your family has an alliance with them, and they’ve hired me to make sure they don’t get dragged into the shitstorm you started.”

“Charming. Do you speak to the news stations with that mouth?”

“I stay out of the news completely,” she sniped. “Maybe if that was your goal, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

“Nobody is keeping you here,” I fired back, my fingers clenching into fists to reign in my annoyance. I couldn't let some interloper affect me like that.

She stared me down. Impressive, given that most people wouldn’t dare offend a member of my family. “I know what you’re trying to do, and it won’t work.”

“And what is that?” I let the words roll off my tongue, a mix of feigned boredom and ignorance.

“You’re trying to rile me up, get a rise out of me so I storm out of here and refuse to work with you.” Riona emphasized her conclusion with a tap on the table. So she wasn’t as obtuse as I thought. “It won’t work.”

“I don’t have to make you quit, boomer.”

Riona jumped to her feet and pressed her fists to the table, leaning toward me with a stormy expression. “Excuse me?”

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