Page 71 of Connor's Claim
Chapter 23
Everly
A small army of skeleton crew amassed around us in the wide staff corridor deep in the heart of the warehouse, and Connor and Arran talked in low voices, a short distance from where I stood with Genevieve and Riordan.
“Sorry I didn’t message yet,” I said to Riordan.
“It’s no problem. I’m not here to chase you down. I came for another purpose, but this was the easiest way to get into the warehouse.” He wrinkled his nose. “The bouncer refused me entry as a customer.”
Genevieve glowered at her boyfriend and Connor. “I’ll fix that. Clearly someone still has their knickers in a twist over you.” She came back to her brother. “Are you okay? Busy with work?”
“Today was my last day.”
Her lips parted. “What happened?”
Riordan sighed then gazed at the ceiling for a moment. “Someone overheard our conversation here the other night, andgossip spreads. It got back to my boss that I was gang affiliated, and shortly before clock-off this afternoon, he sacked me.”
Dismay filled my heart. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“You came here to see me, so in a way it is.”
Genevieve squeezed my elbow. “It really isn’t. Rio, your boss is an asshole.”
“Heading out,” Arran called down the hall.
The gang of men around us began to muster.
I took a step. “We’re going out for a while. Will you still be here when we get back?”
“Maybe. There’s someone else I want to see.”
Genevieve gave a startled laugh. “Don’t tell me you have another secret sister?”
“No, I promise.”
Arran and Connor circled us, and I said goodbye to Riordan, then we were on the move. Outside in the night, we climbed into our cars, and four or five other vehicles exited the car park with us, all occupants wearing skeleton bandannas. Connor was taking no risks tonight with his mission and our safety.
One of the cars peeled away, heading uphill, while Connor drove us west, away from the city and following the winding river. The rain had eased but still fell as a fine shower, visible almost as dust in the car headlights, and before long, we turned into a dark gravel yard, hidden from the street by trees and with a run-down kind of boathouse right on the water.
Doors clunked, and the men in the other cars climbed out and commenced a search. We sat in silence, lights off, and the night settling in around us. I peeked over at Arran and Genevieve’s car. Like us, they didn’t appear to be talking, just waiting in the shadows.
Then one of the crew gave a hand signal and the men disappeared, merging into the trees. I guessed that meant the coast was clear.
Goosebumps rose on my arms.
Connor finally spoke. “This boathouse belongs to Arran, but we’re taking no risks tonight.”
Hence the extra security. “What are we doing here?”
He shifted in his seat. “Ye know what I do for the club?”
“An enforcer.”
“What does that mean?”
“You…enforce rules?”