Page 55 of Retribution
Me neither.
Chapter Nineteen
Carys is applying another coat of mascara to my lashes when the doorbell reverberates through the house. I agreed to let her dress me up for old time’s sake. I’m wearing a black dress that hugs the top half of my body but is flowing and sheer on the bottom. It’s pretty but flexible, so it makes us both happy.
“Sounds like someone is here.” She studies my face. “One more coat.”
“I’ll wake up tomorrow with raccoon eyes.”
“No, you will not because you’re going to take off your makeup like a good girl.”
“You know I don’t normally wear much makeup. I’ll need a crowbar to take this off.” I gesture to my face with a wry smile.
“I’ve hardly put anything on you. I wish I had skin like yours.” She flicks the mascara brush and rocks back on her heel, taking in my face one more time. “Perfection.”
Rising, I smooth down my dress. “You think these people Lorcan invited have something to do with you being here?”
“It’s the only thing I can think of. He said he’d make the trip worth my while. I told him you were already worth the trip.” She grins at me.
“Very flattering.” I give her a sideways glance as I swish out the bathroom door. I am flattered. Not many people see this light, playful version of Carys. Her image has to be tough to run her organization. Being weak makes her a target.
We wander down the hall together, talking and laughing until we get close to the large, open living room and dining room on Finn’s side of the house. The wood on the walls is dark, like the rest of the house, but the floor is lighter. It’s only used for wining and dining people.
She presses her thumb and fingers together. She draws them from her forehead down to her stomach in a steadying motion. “Game face on.”
“Let’s go make you some deals,” I whisper as we enter the room.
Lorcan and Finn are both in suits. Seeing Lorcan dressed like that will never get old. His tailor needs a raise. When I pry my focus from him to take in Finn, he’s tugging on his shirt collar as though it’s too tight. Then I realize there are five other men in the room, dressed in suits of varying style and color. They have reddish-brown hair, and each of them are a touch shorter than both Lorcan and Finn.
Carys puts a hand on my arm, and her face is alight with something like indecision.
“Carys,” I whisper to her. The men haven’t acknowledged us yet.
“Finn in a suit,” she whispers back.
“Get yourself together, woman. You don’t need another knife wound.”
“Right.” Carys gives a sharp nod. “Right.” Her hand strays to the spot on her chest near her heart. If there’s a scar there, I’ve never seen it.
Lorcan sees us first and comes over. He loops his arm around my waist as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. Normally, I don’t like being touched by a man unless I’m initiating the contact, but the warm press of his fingers through the thin fabric of my dress is comforting.
“Gentlemen,” he calls to the other men in the room. “This is Carys.” Using his free hand, he gestures to her.
As each man steps forward and shakes her hand, introducing themselves, their Irish accents are thick. They’re either Irish from Ireland or they’re recent immigrants. Lorcan mentioned he’d been trying to establish connections between their organization and someone in Ireland when his father died. Perhaps these men were from that faction?
“And this firecracker”—he gathers me tight to his side—“is Kim. She’s myeverythingwoman.”
Every time he brings up that phrase, I can’t help smiling. It’s ridiculous. Each man shakes my hand. Liam. Gus. Jack. Connor. Thomas. As the names sink like stones in my chest, I realize I’m meeting the Byrne brothers from Ireland. My heart rate kicks up a notch. They’re lethal.
“The Byrne brothers.” Carys echoes my thoughts. “I’m honored.”
Thomas laughs. “It’s I who is honored to be in the presence of such fierce women. A woman should never be underestimated.”
“Very true.” Her gaze is assessing. “In town for a little business?”
“We were coming to meet with Lorcan and Finn. Lorcan mentioned you’d be here, and we thought we’d entertain any ideas you might have in how we could improve certain aspects of our business.”
“I’d love to.” She tips her head to Lorcan. “Did you want to do that first? Get it out of the way? Perhaps you can mull over what I can do for you over a few drinks?”