Page 30 of King of Temptation

“No.” Brows drawing together in a scowl, Killian reached for the phone. “We’re in a delicate position right now. The fewer people who know, the better.”

“Sure.” If Killian thought keeping that particular secret from his wife was for the best, Brody wasn’t going to question him.

He just hoped it wasn’t all destined to blow up in their faces.

Goldie

* * *

She was getting better at this whole stalking thing.

For three days, she’d been staking out Killian’s house, and nobody had noticed. Between the rental car and the various wigs she’d been sporting to change her appearance up a bit, apparently she’d done a decent job of making herself invisible. At least, she assumed she had, because she was pretty sure that if they had spotted her, she would have ended up back over Brody’s knee by now.

She was not disappointed that hadn’t happened yet. Not in the least.

Liar, liar, panties on fire.

Ugh. Stupid inner voice.

Regardless of whether they had or hadn’t noticed, she was growing restless. Bored, even. For being the hub of a major criminal enterprise, Killian O’Rourke’s house was shockingly normal from the outside.

Just as she was considering packing up for the evening and heading home, the front door opened and Brody jogged down the steps, a scowl etched into his handsome face. He hadn’t contacted her again after that morning at the bakery, and her heart slammed into her ribcage at the sight of him.

It really was unfair for him to be that hot and that much of an asshole at the same time.

She watched as he climbed into the back of a waiting car, and it took her all of two seconds to decide to follow when said car pulled away from the curb.

Where are you off to, Brody?

Keeping her distance as much as possible, she followed the car out of Killian’s exceedingly posh neighborhood and onto the main road. She let herself fall back a bit so a couple cars could get between her and her target, which resulted in her needing to change lanes at the last minute so she could turn where Brody turned, earning her an angry middle finger from the man she cut off.

At least he didn’t blow his horn, and as a result, her cover.

Things got a bit trickier downtown, but she managed to keep Brody’s car in her sights as he parked in front of a charming little Irish pub on the water. The Hollow Saint, which she’d visited with her father a couple times.

But there was no sign of any of Brody’s family that she could see. A date, maybe?

Her heart, which was beating far too fast for her liking, constricted in her chest at the thought. And wasn’t that just stupid? He’d made it clear she needed to keep her distance and that he thought of her as nothing more than an annoyance to be dealt with. And yet, she couldn’t help the well of anger and hurt in her chest at the thought of him so casually jumping from one woman to another.

The most infuriating thing was, that other woman probably had no idea. If she knew anything about mafia guys, he likely had some young, innocent girl on the hook. And she’d be so dazzled by him, by his wealth and power, she’d let him dangle her for as long as he wanted until he grew bored and moved on to the next ingénue.

Well, not if she had anything to say about it.

Riding high on righteous indignation, she marched up to the front door, plastering a smile on her face for the hostess. “Hi. I think my party is already here. O’Rourke?”

The woman’s smile faltered, turning slightly apologetic. “You’re sure? Mr. O’Rourke didn’t mention another member of his party would be coming.”

“Very sure.” Looking around, she scanned the restaurant until she spotted a familiar head of red hair way in the back. “Never mind, I see him. Thank you!”

Without giving the hostess a chance to stop her, she strode through the restaurant to the booth her target was currently occupying.

Alone.

Whatever. His date must be in the bathroom. Or running late. Or… something.

Gathering her courage once more, she slid onto the bench opposite him, and had the pleasure of watching his eyes widen with surprise and then narrow.

“What the hell are you doing here, menace?”