Page 54 of The Apprentice

Conall’s ferocity evaporated and his expression softened. He squeezed my shoulders. “Believe it or not, unless it has to do with the Company or Sloan’s health, I do keep things to myself. This has nothing to do with him.”

My throat tightened again, and I nodded, not sure what else to say. I didn’t need to find words, though, because Conall gently pushed me toward the door with understanding written all over his face. I didn’t have it in me to say thank you, either, but the wink he gave me said he knew.

Once I was outside the bedroom, I sucked up my vulnerability and glared at the soldiers as I stalked past them again. I had a reputation to uphold, and I wasn’t going to give them an ounce of weakness.

When I got to my bedroom, which was on the opposite side of the second floor, I locked the door and threw my phone on the bed. I stared at it for a long, daunting moment, considering my options. Daire wasn’t going to act on something serious, that much was clear, and the sizzling chemistry between us wouldn’t be anything more than an urge I had to continue to ignore. I didn’t knowwhyDaire was fighting the need, but I was also tired of pushing and getting nowhere with it.

If Michele wanted to flirt with me, then I was going to do the same back.

Inhaling deeply, I walked over to the bed and grabbed my phone. I typed a message.

Fionn

Hey. This is Fionn Killough. Hope you don’t mind that I got your number. How are things?

I groaned. The message was so immature. I deleted the text and started again.

Fionn

Hey. This is Fionn Killough. Want to fuck?

I laughed at the absurdity and deleted it again. This was ridiculous. I had no idea what to say to another man that didn’t involve mob business. Finally, I typed out a new message and hit Send so I couldn’t rethink it.

Fionn

Hey. This is Fionn Killough. Hope you don’t mind that I got your number.

Groaning, I threw the phone on the bed again and went to the bathroom connected to my room and took a quick shower. All the possible scenarios played out in my head, but I ignored the embarrassment that had me cringing. What was done was done, and now I had to roll with it.

Once I got out of the shower and dried off, I went to the bedroom and dressed in a pair of pajama pants and a plain blue T-shirt, ignoring the temptation to grab my phone and look. When I was ready to lie down, I walked over to the bed and snatched up my phone again. I drew back the blankets and slid in, my heart racing a million miles per hour as I settled onto the comfy mattress.

Finally, I looked at the screen. The sight of a message from Michele stopped my heart completely. Panic roiled in my stomach as I opened the reply.

Michele

Fionn who? I don’t know Fionn.

I sucked in a breath, shame making me wince, but then I saw there was a second message.

Michele

Hah. Just joking. Hello, Fionn Killough ;) What’s a sexy guy like you doing texting me tonight?

I laughed and I typed back. The words came more naturally as some of my anxiety bled away.

Fionn

Wait. Maybe I’m texting the wrong guy. Are you Sergio? The blond from Vertigo?

Michele

Michele

Nope. I’m the sexy Italian you tease every time you walk into a room. You never noticed me, but why would you? You’re beautiful. Everyone wants you.

I blushed and ran a palm over my face. Michele seemed the type to compliment a lot, and I wasn’t sure how to take it. I wasn’t used to someone being so... flattering. It was as though he enjoyed making me flush, even when he couldn’t see me. Not like Daire, who praised me but in a more reserved way. He was careful in the way he spoke, as though he didn’t want to give me the wrong idea, yet still got in close enough that we always seemed to be touching in public.

I gritted my teeth and settled into bed. Fuck Daire. If he wanted to ignore me, then fine. At least Michele wasn’t ashamed of his desire, and I was going to enjoy every second of our flirtation.