Carrigan led the way to a circular table near the front of the room. “This is a plated dinner, so you don’t have to deal with any of the silent auction nonsense that we sometimes do.”
When Aiden mentioned that his sister was married to James Halloran, Charlie had pictured a life…well, a life more like she imagined Dmitri or Aiden had. Out of the spotlight and in the shadows.
Apparently, she couldn’t have been more wrong.
There were people in this room who populated both the local and national news cycles, and even a handful of major celebrities. She turned to Carrigan with renewed interest. “What is the money from this dinner going to?”
“Aiden didn’t tell you?” Some of the sharpness bled out of the way she held herself, and her smile turned downright soft. “This money goes to fund housing, education, and various needs of women and children who were victims of sex trafficking. If they don’t have a home to go back to, or don’twantto go back, we do our best to give them the tools they need to support themselves and have what passes for a well-adjusted life.”
Charlie considered her. “You do other things to combat sex trafficking, don’t you?”Illegalthings.
“I could tell you, but…you know.” Carrigan raised a finger to her lips, her green eyes amused. “Don’t get it into your head that we’re superheroes or any of that bullshit. I just hate the fuckers who deal in the flesh trade, and I’ll do whatever it takes to see their businesses ground to dust.”
Sex trafficking was one of the biggest world trades, and modern times hadn’t slowed down the numbers any. It was also one of the most frustrating elements of working for law enforcement—as soon as they arrested one sex-trafficking cell, two more popped up, and the original cell often ended up maneuvering out of the charges. It was a lesson in insanity and frustration, made worse by the fact that innocent women and children were suffering as a result.
Charlie stopped next to the chair with her name on it. “Do you think we could talk frankly about it at some point?” She wanted to know what, exactly, Carrigan and James were doing, and what kind of difference they might be making without the red tape of the law holding them back. The possibilities sent a thrill of excitement through her.
“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 lightdisappeared 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.”
