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Page 10 of Dublin Charmer (Emerald Isle Mafia #5)

CHAPTER TEN

Finn

I check my watch as I arrive at the address. It’s half eleven and the coming of the new year chaos. Perfect timing.

The Monte Carlo-themed party swirls around me, a kaleidoscope of wealth and excess. Behind my mask, I scan the room, searching for the vixen with electric blue hair and a body that could make grown men weep.

Kieran’s street informant, Petey, came through with photos earlier tonight when she left for the party and when she arrived.

I studied the nuances of her face.

I studied the dress she was wearing.

And, I admit, I studied them more than necessary.

Nyx is not just talented. She’s stunning.

When I finally spot her across the room, Billy Gravely’s got his hand on her hip and is whispering something private to her.

Are they lovers? I study her expression and dismiss that idea immediately.

She looks repulsed, like she’s barely containing her need to slap his hand away and gain some distance.

Still, the photos didn’t do her justice.

Her vibrant blue hair is styled in loose waves, and she’s wearing a form-fitting dress that shimmers in black, blue, and green as the lighting catches it.

The fabric hugs every curve and wow—those curves are delicious.

A delicate peacock-feather mask adorned with tiny golden crystals covers her face.

But those eyes…sharp, intelligent, and wary.

As if she can feel the heat of my gaze upon her, she lifts her head.

Our eyes lock from across the casino floor.

The chaos of the party falls away. Even with the distance between us, her bright blue eyes tell a story—captivating and sad.

Maybe I’m projecting, but I see the same isolation and longing to be understood in her gaze that I see when I look in the mirror. It’s haunting.

The gravity in her gaze pierces my chest and steals my breath.

I don’t move, don’t flinch. I don’t want to break the connection.

Something in her expression calls to me—she’s dangerous. She’s actively working on taking down my family, and I need to get a grip and stop her.

But the way she’s staring at me…

Does she recognize me? I know who she is, but how could she know who I am?

Quinns don’t come over the river, so they would never expect me to be here for a night of drinking with Billy-fucking-Gravely.

Even if she’s working for Gravely and has studied me and my family, she wouldn’t recognize me behind this mask.

Gravely interrupts the moment, and the spell is broken.

The loss is instant, and I want to storm over there in a rage and crack the fucker’s head against the rail of the craps table. Billy whispers something into Nyx’s ear, and she leans forward to blow on Gravely’s dice.

Even from this distance, I can read the calculation in her posture. She’s playing him, and he’s falling for it like the lecherous fool he is.

By the time she straightens, I’ve already slipped away into the crowd.

“Target confirmed,” I murmur into my concealed mic. “She’s currently with Gravely at the craps table.”

Kieran’s voice crackles in my ear. “We’re outside if you need us.”

I’m thankful for that, because even though I consider myself as capable as any of my brothers, I’m a Quinn on the south side of the Liffey at a time when Gravely is declaring war on not only my family but the McGuires as well.

I would be an idiot not to have backup.

And Da didn’t raise an idiot.

I position myself at the blackjack table, close to the bar. I’ve got a good line of sight to the gaming tables and Gravely drinks like a fish at these events. It’s only a matter of time before he, or maybe they, come over for a refill.

It takes twenty minutes, but I’m a patient man.

Nyx nods in response to something Gravely says, then turns toward the bar. Her walk is confident but cautious. She moves through the gamblers and the gawkers like someone who’s aware of their surroundings.

I nod to a server I paid earlier. He steps directly into her path, pretending to be distracted by balancing his tray of champagne flutes.

The collision is perfect—not enough to spill the drinks, but enough to knock her off balance. She stumbles backward, directly toward me.

She falls into my lap exactly as planned, but her hand reaches back to steady herself. Her fingers inadvertently grasp my cock and, in her panic, tighten as if my dick can somehow save her from crashing.

My cock responds immediately, and I can’t help the throaty groan that works its way up the back of my throat.

Her body is warm and surprisingly athletic beneath the glittery sheath of her dress. She gasps, an apology spilling out of her even as she turns to face me, grinding over my lap. “ Ay, dios! I’m so sorry. My foot caught—Oh. It’s you.”

“Aye, it’s me.”

Up close, she’s even more beautiful. Those bright blue eyes practically dance behind her mask. I lower my head slowly so as not to startle her more and brush my lips against the shell of her ear. Breathing her in is a mistake and I realize it as soon as her sinful scent hits.

Heat pumps hard in my veins.

Fucking hell. I swallow and try to remember how to speak. “And while I’m not complaining—because I’m absolutely not—I don’t think this is the kind of party where you can ride a man’s cock in full view of the bar queue.”

She closes her eyes and tries to right herself to get up.

Despite the electricity coursing through my body, and my instinct to keep her exactly where she is, I help her to her feet and stand beside her. “Though I admit it was quite a way to introduce yourself.”

A flush creeps up her neck. “It was an accident.”

“You know what they say. There are no accidents.”

“All right. Unintentional, then.”

“I’ll give you memorable.”

She laughs, and the sound is genuine—I think.

“May I buy you a drink?” I gesture to the blackjack dealer, signal that I’m out, and grab my chips off the bumper.

She glances back at Gravely, who’s now surrounded by sycophants celebrating his winning streak. “I should get back...”

“A dance, then,” I press, holding out my hand. “It’s almost midnight. Everyone deserves a dance partner for the new year.”

Something flickers in her eyes—suspicion, interest, calculation—but whatever misgivings she has, she dismisses them. When she places her hand on mine, a sultry smile warms her lips. “All right. One dance.”

I lead her to the dance floor as the jazz quartet transitions to something slower, more intimate. When I place my hand on the small of her back, it feels like touching a live wire. She fits against me perfectly, like a puzzle piece I didn’t know was missing.

“Do you come to events like this often?” she asks, studying my face. “You seem very comfortable in this environment.”

“It’s certainly not my first time in a tux. In fact, it’s not my first time this week.”

Her lips curve into a half-smile. “A man of means then?”

I chuckle. “I do all right.”

We move together effortlessly. For someone who spends her days hovering over a keyboard, she dances beautifully. Each step and each turn flow naturally. As if we’ve been dancing together for years.

“You’re very graceful,” I murmur.

“So are you.” Her eyes narrow slightly. “What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t.” I spin her gently, bringing her back closer than before. “Does it matter? The whole point of the masks is to inject a little mystery into the night. I get the feeling you enjoy a little intrigue.”

The song ends, and the host comes over the microphone to say that it’s almost midnight. “Find your special someone and get ready to welcome the new year!”

I wonder for a moment if she’ll try to leave me and return to Gravely for the stroke of twelve. She doesn’t. She looks up at me, swallows, and wets her lips.

An invitation?

The countdown to midnight begins around us. “Ten, nine, eight...”

Her body tenses almost imperceptibly and I splay my fingers against the small of her back, pulling her closer.

The moment her hips connect with mine, her reservation seems to melt away and I slide my free hand alone her jaw.

Her skin is like silk against my palm and the contact makes the room spin in an almost drunken haze. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”

“Five, four...”

“We’re wearing masks. You can’t even see me.”

My heart hammers behind the lapel of my Armani suit jacket as her gaze sears my soul. “Trust me. I see you.”

“Two, one. Happy New Year!”

I glance down into those eyes, dipping my head to dust my lips over hers. Her gloss smells like cherries, and I’ve never been so hungry for the fruit in my life. Stealing the kiss is a mistake, I know that. She’s the enemy and once she finds out who I am, she’ll think I’ve played her somehow.

That’s not what this is. This moment is driven wholly by desire.

Desire to taste her.

Desire to know her.

Desire to possess her body and soul.

I’m not usually a carnal alpha kind of man. With Nyx, I might be in serious trouble.

The moan she lets off is sexy as fuck but only I have the pleasure of hearing it beyond the riotous celebration going on around us. Maybe it’s the allure of the tangling with a stranger or maybe it’s just raw chemistry, but it’s electric.

When I force myself to end the kiss, her irises are blown wide and both of us are a little breathless. It makes what I do next that much more difficult.

I spin my signet ring, and with a flip of my thumbnail, open the guard for the hidden compartment. The tiny needle extends just as I grasp her delicate arm.

“Ouch—” Confusion clouds her eyes, then realization, then fury. “You bastard.”

She tries to pull away, but the fast-acting sedative is already taking effect. Her legs weaken, and I support her weight. As she sags, I wrap my arm around her, maneuvering through the celebratory chaos to head for the east exit.

“Happy New Year, Nyx,” I whisper.

To anyone we pass, we look like a sexy couple sneaking away for a private celebration. Once I get to the door, I scoop her into my arms and cradle her against my chest as I bump the door bar with my butt and exit the building.

Cold night air hits us and goosebumps spring to life all down her arms. “Give me a second, beautiful. You’ll be warm once I get you into the van.”

Kieran hops out of the vehicle parked beside the building and slides the side door back to open the way. As we approach, he searches up and down the driveway to ensure our business has remained our own. “Any trouble?” he asks, eyeing Nyx’s form in my arms.

“Not a bit.” I step up and bring her with me into the back of the van, settling her on the bench seat so I can do up her seat belt and have my hands free in case we run into any trouble.

As I reach across her lap, her head lolls against my shoulder, blue hair spilling over my arm. Man, she’s a heart-stopper.

Gallagher looks back from the driver’s seat. “Get the lead out. Security’s making rounds in two minutes.”

Kieran slams the back door shut and then hops into the front. As Gallagher gets us moving, he reaches back with a set of zip tie cuffs. “Here. Better safe than sorry.”

I carefully slide her wrists through the two loops and pull the ties tight enough to secure her hands. The plastic offends me. I’d much prefer to be tying her with a silk tie or maybe some premium hemp rope. I’m no Shibari practitioner, but I have enjoyed a little rope play with my lovers.

Having a beautiful female at one’s mercy is incredibly hot.

“How long will she be out?” Gallagher asks.

“The sedative should last long enough to get back to the north side and home with no issue.” I brush a lock of blue silk away from her cheek.

With her out cold and collapsed against my shoulder, I remove the elaborate mask from her face and brush a strand of electric blue out of her eyes.

“I am sorry about this, beautiful, but I’m afraid you picked the wrong side. ”

The van pulls out of the casino parking lot, leaving the sounds of celebration behind.

And though I regret kidnapping her, I’m proud that my first true ‘Quinn mission’ went off without a hitch.

I have the hacker who’s been working against us and nobody on the McGuire or Gravely forces are any the wiser.

This proves I’m capable of more than research and overwatch.

I’m sure my brothers will be impressed.