Then the penny dropped. This Anna, who I didn't remember sticking my cock in, claimed I'd bedded herlast week.
"This is fucking bullshit!" I threw the phone back at Conal, narrowly missing his face. Luckily for him, he had good reflexes and caught it before it smashed on the floor.
"Is it?" Conal glared at me, pissed I'd almost destroyed his phone.
"Yes! I don't even remember the silly bitch, and I definitely haven't fucked her recently. I haven't even looked at another woman since we brought my Pixie girl home."
My brother slumped down onto a chair and rubbed his eyes.
"I figured it was a lie. The woman posted it for clout, and judging by how many likes and comments she's had in the last hour, it's gone viral." My stomach churned. Pixie had trust issues. She would immediately jump to the wrong conclusion, i.e. that I’d cheated on her.
"I’ve no clue who the bitch is and why she's waited so long to post the photo."
"Me neither, but right now, that's not important. Dec's tech guy can get the post taken down. I'm more concerned about Verity. She could be anywhere by now. It's been hours."
"Does Dec know?"
"Not yet. He isn't answering his phone."
Part of me was pleased about that. Once he found out we'd lost our girl, heads would roll. Kind of like how Michael O'Rourke's head rolled.
I just hoped it wasn't my head that ended up in the pig bucket.
34
Declan
The smarmy bastard sitting across from me in the most exclusive restaurant in Dublin was getting on my last nerve.
"So, let's get this straight," I clarified, a glass of Bushmills 30-year single malt in my hand. Not that this cunt had given me a chance to appreciate its subtle flavors yet. "You want more cash for the inconvenience of cleaning up after our recent troubles?" The hum of conversation and music from the main restaurant ebbed and flowed around us, but I ignored it. Connor stood deceptively relaxed a few feet away, alert for signs of trouble.
I didn't expect any O'Rourkes to appear, not here in plain sight, but given the recent escalation from them, I wasn't taking any chances.
Assistant Commissioner Quade nodded before raising his hand to call the young waitress over. She took his order and scurried away.
"As I'm sure you'll appreciate, it takes a lot of effort to cover up a significant event like the incident at your estate." He broke off when the girl reappeared with his order. As she leaned over to place the glass on the table, I saw his hand disappear up theback of her skirt. Her eyes widened in shock, but she didn't make a sound.
That bastard. I'd heard a few unsubstantiated rumors about his appetite for barely legal girls, but this was the first time he'd misbehaved in plain sight.
Quade saw me looking and smirked. He clearly thought we were birds of a feather. His hand reappeared and reached for the glass of Shiraz. The girl backed off immediately, almost tripping over a chair in her haste to get away from the bastard who'd just sexually assaulted her.
Thank God I'd reached out to Milo a few months back. It always paid dividends to keep files on the people I worked with. Call it Rainy Day Insurance.
It turned out Assistant Commissioner Quade had been a bad boy lately. A very indiscreet one.
"I appreciate your efforts, Quade. You've been a loyal servant to the Kelly family over the years."
Quade preened at my words. He must have thought I'd roll over and pay him anything he asked. Well, the joke was on him.
"But I have some concerns."
Some of the color drained from Quade's pasty face, although he did his best to hide his reaction.
"Oh?" A bead of sweat trickled down his cheek. "I thought you were happy with my work?"
"I was happy, Quade, but then you got greedy, and I hate greedy men." His eyes widened as I took another sip of my Bushmills. "I also hate rapist assholes who target young girls." Quade shuffled back in his chair, his piggy eyes flicking sideways, looking for a way out. But unfortunately for him, Connor wasn't about to let him leave.
I'd deliberately chosen this private room for our meeting because it afforded us privacy. Monsieur Laurent was always happy to accommodate my requests. He appreciated the bootlegsalmon and game deliveries I sent him via some of my contacts, not to mention the heavily discounted crates of Rothmore whiskey, courtesy of the Scottish prick.
