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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

UNA

I blinked at the guest standing in front of me, tapping his fingers on the wooden surface impatiently. He was older, with heavy jowls, and red-faced, almost sputtering in his indignation. His voice had been increasing in volume over the past moments.

“Did you hear me? I want some satisfaction. I demand my money back, and I want to speak to a manager.”

“Sir,” I replied in my most soothing voice. “I have called the manager, who is dealing with another issue. He will be here momentarily. If you’d like to sit, I can have some coffee brought to you and your, ah, wife.”

I was certain the young buxom blond wasn’t his wife.

“I don’t want any fucking coffee, you redheaded snippet! I want to be treated with the respect I deserve!” He slammed his hand this time, making the desk shake with the force of it.

I forced a smile on my face. But before I could speak, another voice from behind him spoke up, icy and firm.

“I own this hotel. How can I be of service?”

The man spun, craning his head back to look Finn in the face. Finn scowled down at him, his gaze penetrating and cold. “I do suggest, however, that you speak to me with the same level of respect you are demanding.”

Mr. Flynn drew himself up, squaring his shoulders. “I have been insulted, and I want restitution. This girl isn’t helping.”

Finn angled his head to the side, staring at him, his stance and expression intimidating. “How odd. Ms. Murphy is one of my best employees. Perhaps it is the disrespect you are showing her that is rendering her unable to help you with your problem.” He switched his gaze to me, lifting an eyebrow, his expression less hostile. “Which would be, Ms. Murphy?”

“Oh, ah, Mr. Flynn says the waiter eyed his wife inappropriately and splashed him with coffee while doing so. He is very upset. Philip—Mr. Watson—is upstairs inquiring with the manager to figure this out.”

“I see.” Finn stared down at Mr. Flynn. “Una,” he said quietly. “Comp Mr. Flynn’s room and any subsequent charges. Arrange a car to the airport.”

“I have my own car.”

“Then we’ll have it out front right away.” Finn tilted his head. “If I might have a moment with you in private.”

Mr. Flynn turned my way. “That is how you treat an important guest.”

I peeked over the monitor as Finn took Mr. Flynn to the side. His back was to me, but I saw the way Mr. Flynn’s face drained of color as Finn spoke. He laid a hand on his shoulder in a friendly gesture I assumed was anything but friendly. Finn only spoke briefly, but Mr. Flynn was nodding so quickly, he reminded me of a bobblehead doll. I cleared his account, and a few moments later, they returned to the desk.

“All taken care of, sir,” I said with a forced smile. “Your car is ready.”

Mr. Flynn cleared his throat. “Thank you. I’m sorry if I was rude. I was upset. Maddy gets offended easily.”

I wanted to tell him maybe Maddy should wear something that covered her breasts instead of showing them off. Her nipples were barely concealed. Her ass cheeks were in danger of exploding out of her tight skirt as well. But I kept my thoughts to myself, handing him the folded bill.

“Have a safe trip home,” I murmured. “Thank you for staying at O’Reilly’s. We look forward to seeing you again.”

He shook his head, side-eyeing Finn. “Probably not.”

Then he scurried away, grabbing Maddy. “Let’s go.”

She tottered behind him on high heels, towering over him. “Can’t we gamble now, Howie? I like the machines that make noise!”

“No!” he roared, looking back, seeing Finn again. “We have to go, Maddy. Now .”

Philip stepped off the elevator, meeting Finn across the lobby. They spoke for a few moments, and Finn nodded, shook his hand, and headed for the elevator. I fought back the tears as the doors shut, hanging my head. He was still angry with me.

I hadn’t slept all night. I’d tried to call Finn, but it went straight to voice mail. I’d dozed in my chair, too afraid to go to bed in case Brian came back.

I had taken a cab to work this morning, too exhausted to care about the cost and not prepared to deal with the subway. Or worry about anyone staring at me.

I had hoped to see Finn and talk to him.

Philip came behind the desk. “Well, that was interesting.”

“Hmm,” I hummed, not trusting my voice. My throat felt thick.

“Mr. O’Reilly wants to see you in his office, Una. Now.”

“Oh.”

He took the pen from my hand. “Don’t keep him waiting.”

* * *

I knocked on the door, fear gripping me. This was it. Finn was fed up with my brother and with me. He was going to let me go. End us once and for all.

Would he let me tell him what Brian had said?

Would he care?

“In,” Finn called.

I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders. Whatever happened, I had my pride. I would figure it out.

Except when I walked in and saw Finn leaning against his desk facing the door, my bravado left me. He appeared to be furious, his arms crossed over his chest. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked as exhausted as I felt.

We stared at each other in silence.

Finally, I blurted it out. “I was trying to soothe him, Finn. He was impossible to deal with. I mean, I’m sure Logan did ogle her, but I think I did too. It’s rather hard not to.”

He blinked then shook his head.

“I don’t give a fuck about that asshole. He’ll never be welcome here again. In fact, he’s going to find it hard to book a room in any decent hotel by the time I’m finished with him.”

“What?”

He stood straight. “Are you all right, mo chroí ?”

I started to tremble. Tears gathered in my eyes.

He frowned, taking a step toward me. “Una,” he murmured, his voice tender and low. He opened his arms, and I ran straight into them, feeling myself shudder with relief as he held me in his grasp. For the first time since he’d let me walk away, I felt completely safe. My tears came, hot and heavy, and all I could do was clutch Finn and let him hold me.

I realized right then that Finn O’Reilly was my home. His embrace was my soft landing.

And I never wanted to leave it.

* * *

FINN

I held her tight, myriad emotions coursing through me. Relief she was in my arms. Comfort from the feel of her nestled against me. Worry over her emotional state. Fury in the knowledge that something aside from the asshole at the front desk had caused the tears currently soaking into my shirt.

And pain knowing a lot of her tears were no doubt on account of me.

I bent slightly, picking her up and heading to the sofa. I sat down, still holding her, running a hand up and down her back, making low noises in my throat, trying to figure out how to comfort her the best. I needed her to calm down enough to tell me what was happening.

She was shaking, her body a mass of tremors. Her skin felt too cool under my touch, and I stroked her arms, feeling her tense even more. I ran my hands along her head, rocking slightly.

I hated her tears. I hated them even more because they were almost silent. Her shoulders shook, and the softest of pained sounds escaped her mouth, but there were no harsh, loud sobs the way some women cried.

Somehow, I thought I would have preferred that. Her low cries cut me to the quick, my chest aching with her pain, as if I were feeling it with her.

I found my phone, calling the front desk.

“Yes, Mr. O’Reilly,” Philip answered, ever the professional.

“Ms. Murphy will not be returning this week,” I informed him. “I need you to replace her.”

“Of course.” He paused. “Friday night?” he asked, letting the words hang between us.

“I think she’ll perform.”

“Very good.” He cleared his throat. “Maybe some tea to be delivered to the office?”

“Good idea. Thank you.”

“Of course, sir. Right away.”

I hung up, grateful he was in charge. Tea would be good for Una.

I pressed a kiss to her head, crooning her name. “It’s all right, Una. I have you.”

She kept crying, and I kissed her again. “Please, mo chroí , I need you to tell me what’s wrong. I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s happened.”

She shuddered, dragging in a deep breath. “That’s it,” I encouraged. “Another one, Una. Take another breath.”

She did, the sound almost painful, and she let her head fall back. She was beyond pale, her freckles standing out on her skin. Dark circles were under her eyes, and when they fluttered open, they were red-rimmed and distressed. I traced a finger down her damp cheek.

“Hush now,” I murmured. “I’m here, and everything is going to be okay.”

A discreet knock on the door startled her, and I shook my head. “Tea. Go wash your face, and I’ll get it.”

She slipped from my lap, and I waited until she had gone into the washroom to open my office door. I took the tray, not surprised to see a plate of small sandwiches and treats on it. I offered a silent thanks to Philip, mentally reminding myself to send him and his wife on a weekend away. I’d arrange something with Roman, who had commented more than once on Philip’s capabilities.

I poured tea, adding some honey the way Una liked, and she returned. Calmer, but still obviously distressed. I patted the cushion beside me, and when she sat down, I handed her the cup, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’m here,” I repeated.

She nodded, sipping her tea, a slight tremble to her hand.

I spoke, telling her what had happened since I had left her at her apartment. “I wasn’t ignoring you, Una, or still angry. I was desperately trying to figure out what was happening. To help the people who needed me. Do you understand that?” I asked gently, somehow worried about pushing her over an edge I couldn’t comprehend.

“Yes,” she replied.

I took her cup, filling it again. She accepted it, and I was pleased to see the tremble had lessened. I inhaled. “I saw Brian at the warehouse.”

“I know.”

I frowned. “How?”

“He came to see me.”

“And, of course, gave you his version of the story.”

“He said you roughed him up and talked down to him.”

“He’s lucky I let him go.”

“You did that for me,” she whispered.

“Yes,” I stated honestly.

“I won’t ask that of you again.”

Something in her voice, the way she tensed, gave me pause.

“What happened, Una? What else did he say?”

She began to tremble again.

“Una?” I asked, trying to stay calm. “Tell me.”

“It was awful,” she replied. “He seemed okay, and then suddenly, he was a different person. Angry and bitter. Nasty. He said terrible things. Threatened me. I was so scared.”

“Tell me exactly what he said,” I demanded through tight lips. “Every word.”

She replayed the visit, and my fury burned hotter the more she spoke. He had fucking been lying the entire time, and I had allowed him to leave. When she repeated his threats, it was all I could do not to throw something. I wanted to pick up the phone and order him found and killed.

“Did he touch you?”

She hesitated.

“Una, did he hurt you?”

She slipped off her jacket, showing me her upper arms. Each one bore the same black-and-blue marks of a handprint. I knew the kind of pressure it would take to leave imprints that dark.

I had to count to ten. Twice. Curl my fists hard enough that my knuckles cracked. Brian Murphy had just signed his death warrant.

“You were right, Finn. All along. I refused to listen, but I know now you were right. My brother is gone, and I don’t know the man who replaced him.”

“That doesn’t give me any satisfaction.”

She nodded, still not meeting my eyes. I stood and tugged her jacket back into place. I lifted her chin. “Your brother is the one responsible here. He has made his choices. He was tense yesterday, no doubt needing a hit of whatever he’s on. He held his temper in check to buy himself some time. Then he got high and came to see you, letting his real agenda out. You can’t be around him anymore.”

“No,” she whispered, her lips quivering.

I bent and kissed her soft mouth. “I need to make sure you’re safe.”

“I think someone is watching me,” she blurted.

I tightened my hand on her chin. “What?”

“I went for a run, and there was a man. He stared at me. Not just a casual look, but intense. Angry. It gave me goose bumps, and I joined a couple other women because I was afraid to run alone.”

“What did he look like?”

She frowned. “Dark hair, average height. But it was his eyes, Finn. They were dead. And he looked cold. Emotionless. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end with one glance. I looked away really fast, so I didn’t get a good look at the rest of his features. I thought I saw him again the next day, but I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or not.” She laughed, the sound nervous. “Maybe the whole staring thing was my imagination. I was upset and everything.”

I shook my head. “You aren’t prone to fits of imagination, Una. If your gut said he was dangerous, I’m glad you listened to it.” I frowned. “Why didn’t you call? Or, even better, why didn’t you come here? You’d be safe.”

“I wasn’t sure what you would do if I showed up here. I called but it went to voice mail, and I didn’t want to leave a message when I was so upset.”

I pulled her into my arms. “I would never be angry enough to not be concerned for your safety. Ever. And I don’t care where I am, what I’m doing—you are my priority. If I had heard that voice mail, I would have come and gotten you or sent my men to watch over you until I could.” I tightened my grip. “I promise you that, Una. Always.”

She sighed, nestling close, her ear over my heart. It was racing, simply the thought of her in danger making me crazy. “You’re staying here,” I announced. “Until we figure this out, you’re staying here. With me.”

She didn’t argue.

“You have the rest of the week off. You can perform on the weekend if you want, but no more front desk this week. We’re going to the suite now, and you’re going to sleep.”

“You need to sleep too.”

“I’ll see what happens. There’ve been too many incidents for me to sleep.”

We headed upstairs. I was intent on tucking her in. I would watch over her and work from my desk up there. She looked as if she was ready to crash any second.

“When is Niall back?” she asked in the elevator.

“Soon.”

“You said Roman is sending you some men?”

“Yes. That will help. I can add men to patrol and watch.” I swiped my pass.

“Do you think there’s a reason they’re hitting only in the one area?”

I paused, turning to look at her. “I never gave that any thought.” I put my hand on the small of her back, urging her forward. I thought about what she had asked. “You’re right,” I muttered.

“It’s where I lived when I came here. I cut my teeth in that area. I know it the best. They know me.”

She frowned. “Whoever it is, they’re making it personal.”

“Not many would know all that. Unless they knew my history.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Someone in my own crew.”

She looked troubled, then spoke. “Or was in your crew and knew your history because their father spoke of it often. With pride. How you rose in the ranks. The way people, especially in that neighborhood, looked up to you. Regarded you as a hero, not a criminal, because you made sure they were safe.”

I nodded slowly. “And by attacking it, they make me look incompetent and careless.”

“Someone like Brian.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Sorry, my girl, but I don’t think your brother is smart enough to plan and execute such an in-depth plan.”

“Unless he had help. He has the knowledge. Someone else has the men and the money.” She gripped my arm. “Someone with enough money to pay you back, so Brian isn’t beholden to you—but rather, to them. He’s become their soldier.”

I stared at her. “You are brilliant.”