Page 63 of Dublin Charmer

“Just got off the phone with the lads watching Ansler’s flat. He’s on the move.”

My embarrassment evaporates. I peek out from under the covers.

“The Devils are following him,” Sean continues, his voice all business, “but I thought you two might want to hop on your computers and be eyes in the sky.”

“We do. Thanks, brother.” Finn is as cool as anything. Like his brother catching us in bed together is nothing unusual. Maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s nothing for the Dublin Charmer to have naked women in his bed. The idea of that brings the acidic burn of bile up the back of my throat, but I have no right to it.

Finn’s life before now is…

“What’s that look?” Finn asks, studying me.

“How are you so calm?” I push my tangled hair from my face. “Your brother just walked in on us naked and in bed.”

He chuckles. “Sean doesn’t care who I sleep with.”

I’d bet growing up with an all-guy family—and particularly guys that look as good as the Quinn brothers—there have been many morning-after walks of shame. Hell, only two weeks ago at the Christmas party, he snuck upstairs with that woman.

It feels like reality punches me in the gut as that memory hits. “Oh, wow. It’s a little late to ask you this but are you dating anyone?”

Finn looks at me and barks a laugh. “Where did that come from?”

“It’s just…you weren’t even fazed by your brother catching you in bed with someone. It made me wonder if this is a regular thing.”

He rolls out of bed and grabs his boxers off the floor. “No, babe. Nothing about this is a regular thing. I don’t bring women home. I don’t have overnight guests. I’m not claiming to be a monk by any stretch, but recreational hookups are all I’ve had time for or interest in since my Da was killed eighteen months ago.”

I don’t know why that matters as much to me as it does—but it does.

“Nothing about you and me is a regular thing. At least not on my side of it.”

Mine either.

By the time I slide out from under the covers, he’s gathered my clothes and has them bundled in his arms. “Good morning, by the way.”

“Good morning.”

He kisses me and gives me my clothes. “You get dressed. I’ll get my computer fired up and we’ll track this asshole. With any luck, this might be the day you get your brother back.”

The simplicity of his words hits me like a punch to the chest. I’ve spent so long searching, slinking around in shadows alone, wondering how I’d ever be able to get him back even if I found him, that Finn’s straightforward optimism feels foreign.

I hustle into the bathroom, pee, and pull on my clothes. My toiletry bag is on the vanity counter, and I pull out my morning necessities. With my face washed and my mouth tingling minty fresh, I head back out to Finn’s room.

“Fucking hell.”

I hurry to his desk. “What? Did we lose him?”

“No.” He hits the desk. “Our internet’s down.”

I grab my laptop and try my connection. Nothing. “The windstorm must have knocked it out.”

“I’ll check the router.” Finn pulls on a pair of lounge pants and disappears out the door.

I’m so focused on my laptop screen, I jump when my phone vibrates against the surface of the desk. Pulling it free from the charge cable, I flip it over and roll my eyes at the emoji with the knife through its skull.

Gravely.

My stomach drops as I answer. “Yes?”

“Good morning, sunshine.” His voice drips with false cheer. “We need to meet. I’ve got something important I need you working on.”