“I’m sure you were.”
Rory’s lucky we’re currently on separate coasts.
Iknewhe was still a dick.
My jaw clenches until my teeth grind. “I went through every file in her home office. And her phone.”
“With her in the same room?”
I resist the urge to snap. Does her presence matter, as long as I got the job done?
Suck it up, Kellin.You’re reporting for work right now. “She was sleeping, man.” I yank at my shoelace. “Soundly.”
“Oh?” Now I can hearhimthinking. His tone lightens with his next words, becoming damn near cheerful. “Oh. Got it. Good man.”
No, I am not. I am the absolute worst fucking man in existence.
Rory’s so pleased I drugged Maeve to scour through her files that he acts like I passed some kind of test.
This isn’t Pledge Week at the local frat. There’s nothing funny or praiseworthy about my actions. But the energy shifts, and I understand that I’ve regained some status in his eyes.
We’re buds again, bros, two guys who collaborated to kill another one last night, and now I’m drugging innocent women to get access to the head of the Port Kings so we can reclaim what’s ours.
And everybody’s happy.
Wonderful.
“Listen, Kellin.” Rory’s tapping away on that keyboard. “I’m Finn’s eyes and ears on the East Coast. It’s my job to ask the difficult questions. No hard feelings. You understand. But we appreciate your efforts. Very nice work.”
I shake my head. I didn’t realize I could hate myself, but here we are. “Thanks. I?—”
“Just like it’s my job to report back about everything.”
Shit. If Finn thinks I’m too busy fucking to get the job done… “I need another week, Rory.”
The key clacking stops. “Are you asking me to hide details from Finn?”
“I’m telling you that I need more time to manage this situation and snatch Doyle.”
Rory laughs.
I glare at the screen. “Something funny?”
Rory’s laugh fades into a dark chuckle. “I’m just trying to imagine what kind of mess you’ll be in after another week at the Cypress.”
I blow out a breath. “Fuck you. I’m fully invested in this job.”
“Exactly. That’s my concern.”
“Well, lay your concerns to rest. I’ve got Maeve and Doyle handled.”
He snorts. “Whatever you say. But don’t forget that she’s Declan Gallagher’s daughter. You need to watch your back. And remember, we barely have a week left on his deadline.”
I hang up.
That conversation was truly awful, but I can’t let it derail me.
I need to get downstairs.
