Page 136 of Abundance of Obsession

“Aisling, we need to talk about all this. You don’t understand—”

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand. In a moment, you’ll meet the person who will replace Eli by your side. I advise you not to do anything stupid, or you’ll pay for it with everything you hold most dear.”

Ryker gives me a fleeting glance. “How did you know about Damien?”

Aisling laughs softly. “It was easier than you think. Do you suppose people in Veirix are unprotected? That we leave our own behind without knowing where they are?” Another laugh. “We knew where Damien was almost from the start.”

Subcutaneous trackers.

“And yet you let him die.” The gears in Ryker’s head put the pieces together.

“And yet I let him die... It was his destiny...”

A quiet knock on Ryker’s office door breaks the silence.

I signal to my brother that I’ll handle it and head for the exit without a word.

They could use a moment to talk in private.

“Sorry to interrupt, but someone’s waiting for you downstairs,” Dave says as I close the door behind me.

I straighten up, clench my jaw.

What is it this time?

“I’ll handle it. Thank you.”

A moment later, we step out of the elevator. Dave points to the bar, and I head that way.

It’s a quiet night at the club tonight. Thank goodness.

When my eyes find the visitor, I slow my pace.

I immediately stop understanding what’s going on.

This makes little sense.

A woman in a knee-length yellow dress—with white polka dots, I might add—is standing at the bar. She has shoulder-length, curly red hair and tanned skin. A ton of freckles on her face and black-framed glasses.

But that’s not what makes me blink in confusion.

She’s smiling. For real. A huge, wide grin.

As if she’s happy to see me.

And most importantly?

She’s pregnant. Very pregnant.

I stop two steps away from her. I shove my hands into my pockets.

“Hello,” I say first in a not-so-friendly voice.

Without losing her smile, she says, “Hi. I’m Dolly.” She holds out her hand to greet me, but I ignore the gesture.

“Like the sheep?” My eyebrows shoot up.

Her hand falls on its own. She rolls her eyes but keeps grinning.