I cross at the light, then slide into a narrow side street. The moment I turn the corner, I move fast, looping wide through a service alley, scaling a low fence, and circling back. My pulse is steady, my months of training kicking in. When his silhouette turns the corner after me, I’m already there.
In two strides I’ve got him. Despite his much larger frame, I catch him off-guard and shove him into the brick wall, the echo of the impact rattling down the alley. My forearm presses hard against his chest, pinning him, while my other hand slides the cold steel of my pistol under his chin.
His smirk doesn’t falter. “Feckin’ hell, lass. You’re quick.”
“Why are you following me?” My voice is low and dangerous.
He chuckles, even pinned. “Relax, gorgeous. I’m not here to stop you. Just making sure you actually do the job.” His eyes glitter, sharp despite the lazy grin. “Tiernan doesn’t trust you. Told me to keep an eye on ya.”
My jaw locks. Of course, Tiernan wouldn’t wait patiently. Of course, he’d send his hound.
Sean leans in a little despite the gun at his throat. “You’ve been here a week, Caitríona, and Rossi’s still breathing. Why is that?”
“I’m waiting for the right moment,” I bite out, the excuse sounding weak even to my own ears.
“Right moment, huh?” He tilts his head, grin widening. “Sounds more like you’re hesitating.”
I press the gun harder, fury bubbling in my chest. “Careful, Murphy.”
He drops his voice, the grin fading just enough to show the steel beneath. “Careful yourself. Tiernan doesn’t give a shite about your excuses. Neither does your da. If you don’t do it soon, they’ll send Donal to finish the job, and we both know he won’t blink.”
The threat is clear. And worse, it’s true. Da already confirmed as much.
If Donal comes, I’m dead.
Sean studies my face, and for a second, something softer flickers there. Then it’s gone, replaced with a sly smirk. “I’d really hate to put a bullet in a pretty girl like you. So do us both a favor, McKenna. Get the job done.”
I shove him back one last time, hard enough to make his skull crack against the bricks, then spin away, my blood burning hot.
Because the truth? He’s right. Iamhesitating. And if I don’t figure out how to end this soon, hesitation’s going to kill me long before Matteo Rossi ever gets the chance.
CHAPTER 8
A SUCKER PUNCH
Matteo
The muffled sound of moans fills the dark corridor of the Velvet Vault. What the hell? I lengthen my stride and push open the door to my office, ready to grab a few contracts off my desk before the Gemini Corp board meeting only to stop dead in the doorway.
“Merda,” I mutter, hand slapping the frame. “Seriously? Inmyoffice?”
Rory is sprawled across my desk like it’s a fucking honeymoon suite. Skirt hitched, shirt half-off, her legs are wrapped tight around Alessandro’s bare ass. And my cousin, scarred, broody Ale, is buried so deep inside her his head tips back like he’s about to see God. He continues pounding into her, the sound of their ragged breaths clearly muting my arrival.
“Couldn’t use your own office?” I snap, throwing my hands up. “Or, I don’t know, literally any other surface in this entire club?”
Ale just smirks over his shoulder, the bastard, as if getting caught balls-deep in his wife is a minor inconvenience. Roryyelps, drags her skirt down, then scrambles off the desk, cheeks flaming as she bolts for the door.
“You’re both arseholes!” she shouts, tugging her blouse into place as she disappears down the hall.
The door slams behind her, leaving me and my cousin. Ale leans back against my desk, stuffing his cock back in his pants then zipping up his jeans with a grin so wide it’s criminal.
I scowl. “What the fuck are you so happy about? Besides the obvious.”
He doesn’t answer right away. Just lets the grin spread and lets me stew in my anger. And jealousy.
“Well?” I bark. “I know that smile. Something is up.”
“I really can’t talk about it…”
