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She crosses her arms, eyes flashing with defiance.“Now you sound just like my father and Ruairi.”

I don’t think, I pull her against me.My hands lock around her waist, forcing her body flush against mine.“Did they ever do this?”Before she can fire back, my mouth crashes against hers.

She gasps against my lips but doesn’t pull away.My hands tighten on her hips, my body reacting to hers.When I finally break the kiss, my breathing is uneven, but my grip stays firm.“Do their bodies respond to you like this?”My voice is rough, raw.

She swallows, eyes locked on mine.“Of course not.”

Something dark comes over me, and an idea forms before I can stop it.

“You’re sure you want to play with the big boys?”I ask, my voice quieter now, more controlled.

She doesn’t hesitate.“Yes.”

I nod once.“Fine.Then let’s go.”

“What?”

“We’re going out.”

“It’s late and I’m exhausted.I just want to go to bed.”

“I don’t care,” I say flatly.“You’re coming with me.”

She watches me for a long moment, searching my face for a clue, but I’m already on my way to the door.With a resigned sigh, she grabs her jacket and follows me out.

The drive is silent.My hands grip the steering wheel, my jaw ticking as I stew, unsure if this is the right move.I don’t know where the fuck my head is at.Only that I need her to see the danger, the darkness in whatever game she’s playing with Cian.

The low buzz of her phone vibrating against her thigh snaps me out of my thoughts.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye.Her expression shifts, frustration creasing her brow as she reads the messages.She exhales sharply, her fingers tightening around the phone.

“That better not be him,” I growl.

She rolls her eyes and turns the screen toward me.“It’s Ruairi.”

I glance down.My blood boils when I see the image.A picture of her and Cian at Love Lane.“What the fuck were you doing there?”I ask, my voice deadly quiet.

She sighs.“Walking.Talking.Pretending.”

My knuckles go white.“Pretending?”

“Yes, Eamon,” she huffs.“I was playing along.Trying to get information.”

I force myself to breathe through my nose, steadying the anger coiling inside me.“And what information did you get?”

It lasts barely a breath, a fraction of a second, but I catch it.She shifts slightly in her seat before answering.“Not much of anything.Just that he met with some guys.I couldn’t hear what they were saying.”

“Alright,” I reply, keeping my voice even.

Turning away from me, she crosses her arms as she looks out the window like she’s already done with the conversation.The rest of the drive is silent.I don’t push her.Not yet.But I will.Because if Aoife thinks she can play this game with me, she’s about to learn I don’t lose.

Ruairi

Ronan sits across from me,flipping through the pages of a report I already know by heart.The numbers are steady.Our shipments are moving as they should, but none of it holds my attention right now.

My phone buzzes on the desk.I glance down and see Cian’s name flash across the screen.

Cian:Spent the day with your sister.