Page 53 of Captive Audience

“You don’t have to like working for me and following my rules, but my brother didn’t deserve what happened to him. Find the Soul Collector so I can deliver justice. Do that, and you’ll give me something billions can’t buy. You’ll give me peace.”

Something in his voice made my stomach twist. I hated that part of me wanted to help him, to ease his pain.

But sympathy for a monster was dangerous, so I shoved it down.

25

ASHA

Showered, changed, and in dire need of caffeine, I trudged out of Rook’s bedroom and found him in the kitchen, scrolling through his phone. He did a double take at my appearance.

I’d chosen my clothes with intent—fluffy socks, charcoal sweats, and an oversize tee with a cute cartoon kitty holding out a bubble tea, askingDoes this taste like arsenic?It wasn’t very Mob wife, so hopefully he’d hate it. But as his gaze raked over me, an appreciative grin formed on his full lips.

Crap on a cracker. What was it going to take to convince this man not to look at me like I was a juicy steak?

I covered a yawn. “I just need a coffee, and I can get started.”

“Why don’t you rest first? You look wrecked altogether.”

“I thought this was urgent? If I close my eyes now, I won’t open them for two days.”

“Suit yourself.” Rook opened a cabinet and switched on the fancy coffee machine inside.

I sat at the breakfast bar, where someone had wiped away the sex smear marks since the last time I’d been here. Propping both elbows on the stone counter, I watched as Rook made me a coffee exactly how I ordered one from a barista—a small oat milk latte with one raw sugar. He set it before me with a knowing look.

My gaze volleyed between the coffee and the smug gangster onthe opposite side of the counter. “I’d be impressed if I weren’t so deeply disturbed.”

“You’re welcome. Do you want me to run through the case before I leave for the day?”

I took a sip and moaned. Heavenly caffeinated perfection. “Not yet. I like to start with a clean slate so I don’t have any preconceived notions. There is one thing you can help with.”

“Shoot.” Rook went about making a coffee for himself.

“The records from your brother’s case will be classified. Since you’re so friendly with the PD, can you have them sent to me?”

He nodded. “There’s a hard drive in your desk drawer with all that and more. Anything else?”

“Maybe later. I’m sure I’ll have a bunch of questions for you once I’m up to speed.”

He took a sip from his mug, then set it on the counter. “In case I haven’t already made it clear, your discretion is paramount. No one can know you’re looking into Niall’s murder.”

“But I’ll need to talk to people and ask questions.”

“Not happening. Work smarter. Use your computer.”

My coffee sloshed when I put it down hard. “But that’s only half of what I do. How do you expect me to solve this case with one hand tied behind my back?”

“You’re a clever lass. You’ll figure it out. I’ll send you my hacker’s contact details. Use him. And if there’s anything else you need, you talk to me. Got it?”

I gave him a petulant look. “Yes, Boss.”

“Let me give you a rundown on the apartment’s security before I go. The elevator is private and only shared with the three penthouses above. Those belong to my cousins, Orla and Aidan, and someone I’m sure you’re familiar with. Torin Lynch.”

Good lord, if Daisy caught wind that the billionaire who’d twice been named among GQ’s Men of the Year was my new neighbor, she’d demand an introduction.

And if the unofficial boss of the Beasts of Belfast lived on the top floor, what did that make Rook?

“Where exactly do you sit in the Beasts’ food chain?”