Page 114 of Break Me

She bit her lip, shaking her head as if debating telling me. “Because we argued that morning before work. He’d suddenly started coming home later, locking himself in our bedroom on a phone call. When I confronted him, he wouldn’t tell me and stormed off heading to work. I thought he maybe grabbed the wrong equipment because we’d argued.” She had mist in her eyes.

“You didn’t cause his death, Halle. Maybe you’re right in thinking his death wasn’t accidental. What did the fire inspector say, forensics?”

“There was very little left given the power of the explosion, which was why I’d been shocked when Liam and his father had suddenly filed a lawsuit.”

I thought about what she was saying. It could be possible Sean had been killed because he’d had intentions of returning to the family business. That was something else I wasn’t prepared to suggest.

She licked her bottom lip, more out of frustration than anything else. “The pictures I sent you weren’t the only threat I received.”

Instantly, I bristled and she noticed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t think anything of it since I’m being hounded by reporters. The text was warning me about you.”

“Maybe they had a point. Let me guess. An unknown sender.”

“Yes. Same as with the pictures I was sent of Emily.”

“Fuck.” I fisted my hand, trying to remain calm. There was nothing I hated more than being toyed with. We’d had it with the O’Shaughnessy family a couple of years before, a bunch of violent Russians in Seattle and a group of dangerous businessmen who wanted to run the world. Everybody who longed to destroy us thought we’d be stupid enough to fall for their games.

And every time they were wrong.

She tugged hair behind her ear, her nervousness understandable. “I know what you said about me staying with you and I can tell you meant it.”

“I did. You’re not going anywhere.”

“I need to work, Alexsey. I’m the captain of my engine company. My battalion chief has been decent with me with everything that’s happened the last week, but after decking the reporter, he can’t let me off the hook. I already have a message from him.”

“Does he know about what happened with Emily?”

Her eyes were full of such sadness. “Well, I have no doubt he will if he watches the eleven o’clock news.”

“Should I explain it to him?” At least I made her laugh.

“Uh, no. I can handle the heat. I’m trying to tell you my life can’t simply stop. For what? What are you waiting for?”

While her question was a decent one, I wasn’t positive I would be waiting any longer. “For proof the Papadakis brothers arebehind what’s occurred and that they hired the O’Learys as muscle.”

“If you find out Liam is involved, then you’ll kill him.”

Her question was one she could tell I didn’t want to answer. “That remains to be seen.”

The way she opened her mouth was as if to ask me to spare her brother-in-law, but was having a difficult time doing so. It was time to change the subject.

“Did you recognize the guy in the car earlier today? Maybe someone who works for Liam?”

She cocked her head. “Maybe, but I didn’t get a good look at him. That’s why I need to take a shift or two at O’Leary’s. I can help in discovering the truth. I’m the only one who can.”

“Over my dead body. If that bastard had anything to do with Emily’s kidnapping, I will kill him myself.” At least I’d admitted what had been rolling through my mind.

With a slight tug, she pulled her hand free of mine, placing her palm against my heart. “This is the part where I tell you that I can handle myself with him. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt Emily, at least not intentionally, and I can’t believe he’d condone having anyone try and hurt me. Embarrass me so I wouldn’t see you again? You bet he would. But harming me? I don’t buy it. I can find out what’s going on. I’m sneaky.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. You’re not returning to work at the damn bar. Even if Liam isn’t behind what happened with Emily, that doesn’t mean you aren’t a much easier target when working there. I can’t worry about you and get to the bottom of this at the same time. You’ll be safe here tomorrow with my men.”

“And what are you going to be doing?”

I polished off my drink before answering. “Finishing this game before it gets too far out of hand.”

“You mean since you torched their warehouse?”