Liam’s eyebrows knit together in confusion, and I can see him thinking, though he looks doubtful.
“When was this?”
“It would have been a couple of weeks after the bar first opened.”
He thinks about it for a minute.
“During the day?”
I just shrug, because I didn’t get any details.
“I don’t think—wait!” His eyes widen. “Yes, two girls came in once, during the day, one blonde and one with dark hair. But they didn’t stay long… actually they left right after I came up, but they were—” I lift my brows, waiting for him to finish. “They were talking to Uncle Seamus.”
My jaw clenches, and I rub my temples. Suddenly, Briar’s story that I had afiancéewhen we met holds a lot more merit.
Seamus and my father had been doing just about anything possible to push me and the Quinn girl together around that time. They wanted to secure a much-needed alliance with Ireland, but I couldn’t be talked into it.
“Thanks, Liam.” I clasp him on the back, and he nods before I turn to address the rest of the guys in the hall. “Mac and Jace, you’re with me. Aidan and Liam?—”
They both nod. Aidan leans back against the wall, and Liam drops back onto a doctor’s stool he stole from somewhere, parked right next to Remi’s door.
“Do everything I wouldn’t,” Liam bites out venomously, which isn’t saying much, seeing as there is very little Liamwouldn’tdo.
“And more,” I promise.
81
WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?
KOEN
“Weapons,”the broad Italian at the door growls at Mac, Jace, and me, blocking our path when we try to enter the restaurant.
I glare at the man.
“No exceptions. You understand?”
I do. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Begrudgingly, I draw out my gun and place it on the table, watching Mac and Jace do the same. I also deposit my knife, and my backup pistol from the strap on my ankle.
Then, I barely tolerate the required pat down before finally being allowed admittance into the quaint little Italian restaurant.
Another man in a suit shows us to a back room, where I find just the man I’m looking for.
“Koen.” Giovanni’s midway into his dinner. “This is a surprise! Won’t you join me?” He gestures to the seat across from him, and I slide into it. Mac and Jace hang back by the door, keeping their eyes on the two men standing along the wall—the ones watching Gio’s back.
“I heard you were dead.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
“What can I?—”
“Let’s cut the bullshit,” I say, leaning forward over the table. “I know you sold me out to the Russians—The Volkov—Almost cost me my brother.”
Gio’s expression sours, and he leans back. “That fucking bitch,” he mutters. “Couldn’t keep her goddamn mouth shut.”
Giovanni’s head snaps back past his shoulder from the impact of my fist.
His men push off the wall to come after me, but Gio raises a hand, waving them off, and they back away, the promise of violence dancing in their eyes.
