“I’ll meet you guys back at the house when I’m done.” He’s already moving toward Brennan’s car, the keys dangling from his fingers.
I take a step toward him. “Hold up. A lead on what?”
Cormac freezes for a second. “Something that came through from a contact in Limerick.”
I stare at him, noticing the way his eyes are looking anywhere but mine. “What contact? What’s the name?”
Cormac opens his mouth to reply, but the sound of my phone ringing cuts him off.
I wave a hand. “Just…go. Do what you need to do.”
Cormac nods, looking slightly relieved as he jogs over to Brennan’s SUV and jumps behind the wheel.
I stare after him, frowning as the car kicks up a cloud of dust as he races down the drive toward the iron gates.
Brennan scoffs. “He seems in a hurry.”
My phone continues to ring, so I ignore Brennan and swipe my thumb across the screen and bark into the phone.
“What?”
There’s a pause, then a soft, uncertain voice sounds on the other end. “Ronan?”
I frown, pulling my phone back and glancing at the name. “Tamara?”
“Yeah…”
Stephen’s wifenevercalls me. Even though I’ve known her husband for well over a decade and have met her on multiple occasions, I wouldn’t say we’re friendly. I don’t even remember giving her my personal contact number, but I guess I must have at some point, in case of an emergency, and the fact that it’s the middle of the night has my stomach turning to lead.
“What’s going on?”
Brennan glances at me, frowning.
“I-I’m sorry to bother you. It’s just… I’m worried about Stephen.”
Blood rushes to my ears.
“What do you mean worried? Has something happened?”
Right now, Stephen is meant to be protecting Ciara, so if he’s been compromised, it means she is as well.
Tamara exhales shakily, and I fight to stay calm.
“He hasn’t been home in days. I know that’s not unusual given his job, but something’s off.”
Seriously? This is what she’s calling me about?
“We have a situation here, Tamara. I’ve needed Stephen to head up my security team. Did he fail to inform you of that?”
Tamara knows that Stephen works long hours, but I make sure he gets compensated very well for it.
“I know, but it’s not just that. He jumps whenever the phone rings, as if he’s afraid of who might be calling.”
“Have you asked him about it?”
I really don’t have time for this, but then I think of Ciara and how I’d want someone to talk to her if things were the other way around, so I just clench my teeth and deal with it.
“He won’t talk to me about anything.” Her voice cracks.
