Page 28 of Thorns of Deceit

I tilted my head pensively. “Funny, because I’ve heard plenty about the Callahans, but it’s always about the men. Never the women.”

He chuckled.

“And you gathered all your intel from just two weeks at my club. Imagine whatillicitinformation you would’ve picked up if I hadn’t stepped in and terminated your employment contract.”

“Terminated, right,” I scoffed. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

Aiden arched his brow. “What would you call it, then?”

“A forcible and unnecessary ending of my income because of some macho criminal being violent.”

He grinned. “Allegedly violent. Remember, in the court of law, we’re innocent until proven guilty. Besides, don’t think I didn’t notice you lied on your job application.”

I sighed. “Just a small white lie. You cannot compare that to what you did or do.”

“Ah, see, I would argue otherwise because there’s no evidence of what I’ve done. You, on the other hand, made a mistake. There’s a document in black and white that can be used as evidence in the courtroom. I see I have a lot to teach you, wife.”

I rolled my eyes. There was no sense arguing with a mobster, especially a witty one, so I asked, “But seriously, why are the Callahan women never talked about?”

“That’s by design,” he explained. “Keeping them mostly out of our business dealings is for their protection.”

I reached for another strawberry and opened my mouth to ask him another question when the doorbell rang. I shot Aiden a curious look. “Expecting company?”

“Hmm, no. I’m not.” The mischievous expression on his face didn’t escape me. “Let’s go see who it is.”

I raised my eyebrow, craning my neck as he stood up. “Both of us?”

“Yes, why not?”

He extended his hand and I tossed the strawberry into my mouth, then slid my palm into his. We entered the penthouse, most of the smoke now cleared out, and made our way toward the foyer.

A pile of packages was scattered over the area and I shot Aiden a curious look. “Your delivery man has access to your house?”

“Not a chance. Tyran, however, is granted limited access.”

“Well, it looks like he brought you goodies.”

He smiled. “Actually, these are for you.”

My eyebrows met my hairline. “Again?”

“Not exactly the reaction I expected…” he said in a sardonic tone.

“Sorry,” I muttered, eyeing the large boxes and a crate sitting at the center. “Can I open them?”

His eyes twinkled as he cast me a look. “That’s why they’re here.”

I started with the crate. The wood was rough beneath my fingers, and the lid resisted every tug and pull. I huffed, wiping a strand of hair from my face, then braced my foot against the side to gain some leverage.

Aiden chuckled from behind me. “Need a hand?”

I glanced over my shoulder to see him watching me, a grin spreading across his face.

“Be my guest,” I muttered, stepping back.

With an exaggerated roll of his sleeves, he reached for the crowbar that apparently came with the crate and gave the lid a solid wrench. The nails creaked, then popped free one by one. Finally, with a loud groan, the top came loose.

The scent of wood and linseed oil drifted out.