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He got her to go out with him already.That was fast.I knew Aoife wouldn’t outright refuse him, not if she wanted to stay close and keep her little games going, but I didn’t expect her to play along this quickly.

Cian thinks he’s winning her over.And maybe she’s starting to see reason.Starting to realize where her loyalty should be.Or she’s playing him.

Either way, I need to keep him thinking he’s in control.If I give him any reason to second-guess himself, he might back off, and I need him to keep going.I need to get Aoife back here where she belongs.

Ronan looks up from his report, catching my expression.“Something interesting?”

I school my features as I say, “Cian took Aoife out.”

Ronan raises a brow.“That right?”

I nod.“Seems she didn’t put up much of a fight.”

He exhales slowly, studying me.“And you’re alright with that?”

I shrug.“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“He’s old enough to be her father,” Ronan mutters.

“Maybe that’s what she needs,” I say unfazed, “A strong hand.Someone who won’t let her get lost in all that fire she’s carrying.”

Ronan scoffs, disbelief edging his voice.“You really think she’s going to fall in line?”

I lean back in my chair, fingers drumming against the desk.“We’ll see.”

Ronan shakes his head, but he doesn’t push.He knows better.

Instead, he turns his attention back to the report, flipping a page with deliberate ease.I wait a beat, then pick up my phone and type out a response to Cian.

Ruairi:Didn’t expect you to move that fast.

I hit send.Let’s see how confident he really is.

His response is almost immediate.

Cian:She didn’t put up much of a fight.

I laugh under my breath.That doesn’t mean shit.

Ruairi:Good.Keep her close.

A moment later, my phone buzzes again.I glance down to find an incoming message with pictures attached.When I open them, my stomach tightens.

The images are of Aoife and Cian at Love Lane, smiling as if they belong there together.Another one at the restaurant, heads tilted close, her expression soft, playful.

I stare at the photos for a second longer than I should.I still don’t believe it—don’t trust it.But for a moment, I wonder.Maybe even hope that it could be this easy.Then, I shake off the thought.It was nothing more than an afternoon out.

I type out my next message.

Ruairi:Looks like you had a nice little outing.

Cian:Little outing?Didn’t feel like a little outing when she was all over me in the elevator.

I’m still trying to process the first message when the second one comes through, landing like a punch.

Cian:The way she kissed me?Damn near had me thinking about fucking her right there in the elevator.

A muscle in my jaw ticks.I force my fingers to stay steady as I type.