Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Sure. I’ve got some free time next week if you want to talk the down and dirty planning of it. I can’t show you everything, of course, but I can speak in broad strokes.”
“I’d like that.”
“Carrigan.”
Charlie jumped, having been so focused on Carrigan that she temporarily forgot Aiden was behind them. She slid out of the woman’s grasp and moved to his side, offering him silent support. The siblings faced off, and the light disappeared from Carrigan’s eyes. She gave him a mocking smile. “Aiden.”
“Don’t do that.” He stepped closer and kept his voice low enough that the people milling around wouldn’t be able to hear without actively trying to eavesdrop.
Charlie had every intention of giving them their privacy, but Aiden’s hand against her back kept her in place. The tension in his fingers wasn’t apparent in the rest of his body, which just went to show how locked down he had himself.
He pressed his lips together and then sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“I’m sorry that I made the call I did about Romanov. It was fucked, and I was wrong.”
From the shock on Carrigan’s face, this was the first time Aiden had said any of this. She recovered quickly, though. “You know, it’s funny.”
“What’s that?”
“I really did you a favor by telling you and Seamus to fuck off. The balance of power in Boston is stable for the first time in a few generations.”
“I know.”
She did a double take. “What?”
“Did you know Seamus ordered me to drag your ass back to the house about a week after he changed his mind about letting you go?” Aiden shook his head. “I told him no. I might not like that big blond bastard of yours, but the fact remains that you two have changed the Hallorans—and our relationship with them. Devlin would have been proud.”
The “blond bastard” in question appeared behind Carrigan as if by magic. He wrapped an arm around her waist, which was when Charlie realized Carrigan was shaking. Damn it, I should have noticed before. Though it wasn’t as if Carrigan would have allowed her to offer comfort.
James shot them a look that wasn’t entirely friendly. “I think you should leave.”
“No, it’s okay.” Carrigan leaned back against him. “It’s just family business—mending fences and all that. Can’t fix things without reopening a wound or two.”
“Bullshit.”
She lightly smacked his arm. “You’re being overprotective, and I think my injuries must have gone to my head, because I’m actually enjoying it.” She turned her attention back to Aiden and Charlie. “Enjoy dinner. And…Aiden.” She hesitated. “I hear what you’re saying. I’m not going to pretend either of us can wave a magic wand and fix shit, but I’m willing to try if you are.”
Charlie didn’t think he breathed for a full ten seconds. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” She nodded. “And if you’re really serious about mending fences, this is your chance to do it right.”
She followed Carrigan’s gaze and found Teague and Callista moving through the crowd toward them. Things are about to get interesting.
* * *
It felt like a fucking ambush. Aiden had come here tonight intending to start to set things right with Carrigan. No one had said a goddamn thing about Teague being here. When Callie latched on to Charlie and switched seats so that he was next to his brother and the women were occupied, he knew it for a fact. “You planned this shit.”
Teague set down the beer he’d carried over. “You’ve been dodging my calls.”
“I’ve been busy.” He hadn’t been ready to pull the figurative trigger when it came to dealing with his brother’s betrayal. But it had to be done, and thanks to his slip a year ago, Teague knew that Aiden knew. They’d been circling each other ever since.
“That’s bullshit, and you know it.” Teague’s body language was relaxed and his face open, so anyone watching them would have no idea the intensity of their conversation.
When had his little brother learned to lie so well?
Aiden cast a glance around. Most people were starting to move to their seats, but the rest of their table was empty for the time being. There was no avoiding this confrontation any longer, even though the last place he wanted to deal with it was here in the middle of such a public place.
Maybe it’s for the best. I’m not as likely to punch him in the fucking face.
At least in theory.
“You want to do this here.”
Teague nodded. “I never pegged you for a coward, Aiden. Let’s get this out and done with so we can move on.”
As if it was as easy as that. He laughed, because it was the only acceptable reaction that wouldn’t draw undue attention. “You betrayed the family. You informed to the fucking feds.” He kept his tone even, because he hadn’t given Charlie the details of his falling-out with Teague. She had no idea her father was his brother’s contact with the FBI. She wouldn’t know if Aiden had anything to say about it.