Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
It was a promise Colm kept until the day he died. Even when I found out I was pregnant with Owen’s baby, he took me to the abortion clinic, held my hand and smiled. “That fucker’s seed doesn’t deserve the life we’re gonna have together.”
After that day, my parents disowned me and I never went back. There was no evidence that Owen and I had ever been together after the rape.
And over the years, I made sure everyone who was there that day paid the price for their cowardice. Thanks to Colm and Cillian, I learned the ins and outs of the tri-city underworld, and most of all, I learned how to cover my tracks.
“Did you hear me, Ma?”
Kat’s voice pulled me from the past, and I looked at her with a bland smile. “What?”
“I said I’m not sure just alterations will cut it with this dress.” She was annoyed with me again, which seemed to be her permanent state these days.
“Don’t be silly, Katherine. We can find more fabric and alter it to fit you perfectly.” This dress was the closest thing I had to a family heirloom to pass on to my only daughter, and she would damn well take it.
Kat rolled her eyes, hung the dress up with the gentle care it deserved and walked out of my expansive walk-in closet without a word.
CHAPTER TWO
Sadie
“They’ve already been investigating these murders for months. If they haven’t found any evidence yet, chances are they won’t.”
I’d admit that a tiny sliver of fear went through me when I heard the FBI had created a joint task force to investigate the shooting deaths of Bishop Mueller and Bonnie. Still, they’d been at it too long to have found anything, and I felt myself starting to relax.
Thomas listened carefully, the way he always did. His hazel eyes were bright and intelligent, and I knew without a doubt he always had my best interests at heart. Not the family, not the Organization but me. Just me. “Do you plan to intervene?”
“If I have to, I will.” At this point, chances were slim that I would need to do anything to avoid arrest. The scene was clean. I made sure of it. Whatever evidence the feds thought they had wouldn’t come back to me or anyone associated with the Ashby family or business interests. “You worry too much, Thomas.”
His smile was small, but I saw it. “Or maybe you don’t worry enough, Sadie.”
I shrugged. “Maybe you’re right, but the fact remains that I’m not worried, so you shouldn’t either. I need a drink.”
I pushed away from my desk with a sigh and made the short trip to the bar to pour myself a glass of Velvet Fire. Virgil did well for himself with that whiskey.
The phone rang on my desk, and Thomas answered it in his stiff, cultured way. “Sadie Ashby’s office. What can I do for you?” He nodded and turned to me. “Officer Howard.”
I smiled and took the phone, ignoring the tingle that shot through me when Thomas’ fingertips brushed mine. “Howard, how are you today?”
Howard Sullivan was one of the many law enforcement officers who were happy to earn a little extra cash for providing me with intel.
“Good, thanks. Are you up for a friendly chat, Ms. Ashby?”
Shit, the cops wanted to talk to me. “At the café on Washington?”
“Yep, on Washington, but I think it’s locally owned. Our chat should happen soon.” Howard ended the call abruptly, and I turned to Thomas.
“Bad news?”
I nodded. “The feds are on their way here to talk to me. Jameson Ellison is coming with them.”
Thomas gave a short nod of acknowledgment and straightened his shoulders. “I’ll get the refreshments ready.”
“Perfect. I’ll call the boys. They should be here for this.” I looked at the half-full glass with longing and left it on my desk as I went in search of Jasper, Virgil, and Calvin.
By the time the law came to my door, my sons were seated around the dining room table, Jasper to my right, Cal and Virgil to my left. Beck sat between Agent Marshall and Officer Ellison on the other side of the table.
It was clear this was Beck’s show, and as a powerful woman myself, I respected that. Not enough to take it easy on her, but enough to answer her silly questions without my attorney present.
“Sadie,” she began as if we were old friends.
“Ms. Ashby,” I corrected her. “Sadie is reserved for my friends. Friends like Jack.”
The mention of her father had the intended effect of knocking Agent Beck off her game. “Interesting, but my questions today are about more current events. The night Dietrich Mueller and Bonnie Ashby were murdered, where were you?”
“Ah, yes. Jack and I became good friends after a while. He was such a good listener.”
The truth was her father had been a damn good employee and losing him wasn’t something I took lightly. Not now and not then.