Page 80 of Betrayal

“A friend had an empty warehouse, you needed a space.It was a commercial transaction.”Hunter swallowed a mouthful of beer.

“I’d run out of options, professionally and personally, and you gave me a way out.”In his understated, yet direct way, Niall was giving him an opening.“Lucy loves me.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Niall leaned forward, setting his bottle on the coffee table.“If I can help, I will.”

Hunter slid down on his sofa, his head falling back.The ceiling offered the same inspiration it had every night since Anna had left.Zero.He closed his eyes.

“If you repeat a word of what I’m saying, I’ll call you a liar.”Niall’s voice dropped to a whisper, mesmerising with its capacity to reel Hunter in.“You know I didn’t tell Lucy I was planning an exhibition of my work.She only found out when I cancelled.What you don’t know is that we each kept secrets.I won’t speak for her, but I was ashamed of things I’d done in my life, felt I didn’t deserve her.I let the shame drive my choices, instead of hope.”He slapped a hand on the table.“And feck, that has to be one of the soppiest things I’ve ever said.What’s your problem?”

Hunter lowered his head and met Niall’s gaze.“Perhaps I don’t love her.”

“If there was a vengeful god you’d be vaporised by now.”

“Let’s say it’s in her best interests to steer clear of me.”

“Why?”

“I carry baggage.”

“There’s not a soul born who doesn’t collect baggage by the time they’re thirty-four.”

“Thirty-five.”Hunter raised his bottle to him and downed a mouthful.

“What about that baloney you spouted at Kate and Liam’s place?Only risking what you’re prepared to lose?Knowing what you’re prepared to lose?I thought you had all the odds figured.”

“I gambled, and I lost.”Hunter had misjudged the situation.Knowing Anna wouldn’t give Nick the time of day, Hunter had underestimated Nick’s ability to attack Hunter through Anna.

“Loving Anna isn’t a game.”Niall exploded.“You’re not making sense.”

“Some British lord once said ‘Gambling is when you bet something you can’t afford to lose.’I thought loving Anna was no one’s business but mine and hers.I was wrong.”

“You’re wrong now,” Niall insisted.“There’s another reason I’m here.”

“I’ll fight you, if you’re here to take your bowl back.”

“You helped me.Anna says there’s some problem at the centre.You’re down to fit-out, some customised bits and pieces.I can help.I’ve got friends who can give you a few days to catch up.”

Hunter stared at him.“You mean that.”

“Help one member of the Quinn family and you get the lot of us.Anna didn’t know if it was a supply chain issue, a labour shortage, or sabotage.”The carpenter let his last word hang in the air.

“Yeah, it’s like that when everything goes pear-shaped.Conspiracy is appealing.”Hunter was still checking the details of the glitch in his order, a transposing of dates on the computer so the delivery was ten days late.A regular supplier, who was endlessly apologetic.“From what I can tell, it was cock-up, rather than conspiracy.”

“Good to know.”Niall drained his beer and stood.“People in the building game talk to me.I’m not competition, but might have ideas.”

“Go on.”

“Nick Richardson is late on payments to his contractors.He’s putting them off with bullshit for the most part, but hinting he’s about to get an influx of cash.Know anything about that?”

“He’d like me to become his junior partner.”

“What would you like?”

“To see someone take him down.”

“Not you?”