Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
I felt the urge to kiss her, to feel her body against mine, but I stepped back. I needed to get a grip. “Corbin will keep an eye on you. If you need me, I’m just a call away.”
I turned when Aislinn’s voice rang out again, quiet but firm. “What about the men who did this to Imogen? Will you try to find them?”
I paused and glanced over my shoulder at my wife. “I’m doing what I can, not just because of your sister, but whoever did this to Imogen might also be linked to the attack on you. But I fear only Imogen can shed light on her attackers.”
Aislinn’s eyes flickered with hesitation, but her voice didn’t reflect it. “I want them to be punished for what they did to Imogen.”
“I’m not in the habit of working with law enforcement,” I said, though I knew it wasn’t what she meant. Aislinn was a good person, but even a good person had a line that if crossed could make them do bad things.
“That’s not what I mean, Lorcan,” Aislinn whispered harshly. She crossed the distance between us and came to a stop right before me. “I want you to punish them for what they did. I want them to pay with their lives.”
I touched her cheek. She didn’t pull away. I’d used all my contacts to gather information, but St. Barts was definitely out of my reach. I’d have to rely on Sergej’s information, and it had been sparse. Either because he didn’t know more or because he was protecting someone high up. It would mean major trouble with the Bratva if I started torturing people under their protection. “If I ever find the culprits, I’ll give them their just punishment if that’s what you want.” If they were linked to the attack on Aislinn, they’d get a special treatment from me.
“I do.”
“Let’s hope Imogen wakes, then. She holds the secrets to what happened.”
Aislinn nodded before she stepped away and headed back to her sister’s hospital room. I rounded the corner where I found Corbin out of earshot. He straightened, ready for my orders. “Stay and keep watch. I don’t want Aislinn to leave on her own. I’ll send someone over to pick her up.”
“All right, Lorcan.”
I headed out of the hospital and called Seamus, even if I knew what he’d say. “And?”
“Aislinn’s back and pissed at me.”
“I told you she would be. You should have told her. Will you send her back to Dublin?”
“Not yet.”
“That means never.”
“If you say I told you so, I’ll kick your ass.”
I hung up before he could unload his advice on me. I snatched the parking ticket from my windshield, tossed it away and climbed in behind the steering wheel. It was time to Sergej’s office for a personal conversation. Maybe he’d be more forthcoming if I personally showed up. Our business relationship had been surprisingly good. I had a feeling the events with Imogen might turn it sour soon. For Aislinn, I was willing to risk it.
For a long time, I sat by Imogen’s side, holding her hand as I gathered the necessary courage to call my mother. It was late morning in Dublin. Even after a hard night at the bar Mum would be awake to pick up Finn from our neighbor and spend time with him. I hated to ruin her day like this, to take away her hope and give her this horrible news.
Then, I remembered my anger at Lorcan because he hadn’t told me and I dialed Mum’s number. She deserved to know. Imogen was her daughter.
After the second ring, Mum picked up, sounding a little rushed. “Aislinn, I dashed out of the shower to take your call. Are you okay?”
She worried constantly about me. “I’m fine. I—” I swallowed. “How’s Finn?”
“He misses you terribly, Aislinn. When are you going to return?”
I cleared the lump in my throat. “Mum, Imogen she—.” A sob rattled my body. All the emotions I’d been bottling up threatened to spill over.
Silence echoed on the other end of the line. “Is she dead?” The stark fear in Mum’s voice made me shudder.
“No,” I pressed out.
Mum let out a sob, then she cleared her throat. I could picture her squeezing her eyes shut very hard as she always did when she tried not to cry. In the past, that had happened very often. Over the last few years, though, Mum had hardened to our reality. Sometimes I admired her for her hard shell, sometimes resented her. Now, I knew better. I was on my way to being just like that.
“But, Mum, she’s not well. Not well at all. There was an accident.” Why was I lying? Hadn’t I just fought with Lorcan because he lied to me? But I couldn’t bring myself to tell Mum Imogen had picked the wrong guy, a married criminal, and that he’d tried to kill her when she very likely blackmailed him. Knowing Imogen that was the only explanation I had. “She suffered some brain damage and is in a coma.”