Page 68 of Retribution
Somehow, I make it through shopping with Carys without having a heart attack about Lorcan investigating Malik. When we arrive at the house to get her suitcases, I half expect the brothers to be at the entrance, guns poised to execute me on the spot.
“You okay?” She yawns as she drags her suitcase down the hall. “I’m the one who slept with Finn last night. God, I was so drunk. Such a dumb thing to do. You’re acting like you’re the one who did something naughty.”
I purse my lips, wishing I could tell her the truth. She knows the undercover version of me better than anyone else. The inconsistencies in my stories would be glaring. “A lot going on in this house. You know?”
“Oh, I understand,” she agrees. “Are you and Lorcan…?”
“Maybe?”
She rubs my back. “You could do worse.”
“Are you and Finn together?”
“God, no. I can’t do that again. I’m too old for his bullshit now.”
“You don’t think he’s changed?”
“Oh, I’m sure he has. He’s probably gotten worse.” Carys winks at me as I swing open the front door. Antonio is beside the car, ready to drive her to the airport.
I tug her into a hug before she climbs into the back seat of the vehicle. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.” She backs up and pats my cheek. “Any time. I mean that. You need some more female influence, I’ll brave it.”
“You’ll brave it?” My mind sticks on the legal ramifications.
“It would be so easy to be sucked into this again.” She makes an all-encompassing gesture with her arms. “Too easy.”
“Right.” I give her another hug to disguise my uneasiness.
“Get some sleep.” She slips into the car. “You’re acting weird today.”
If only sleep would solve my problems, I’d never get out of bed. “Hey, Carys.” I come out of my head long enough for things to click. “Did you ever see Finn fight in The Cage?”
Her eyes light up, and she sighs. “Oh, yes. That’s what started the whole mess between the two of us. Him fighting was only a secret from his father. Everyone else knew. Sweat. Muscles. So incredibly cocky. How could I not?”
“Do you remember anything about the structure? About who could fight when?”
She frowns and looks me up and down. “The O’Malleys don’t let women fight. Do you need money? Is he being a shit about paying you?”
I stifle a laugh. “That’s not it.”
She shuffles further into the car and waves me in. “Ride with me. We can chat about hot men who fight in a ring.”
I glance back at the house and catch Antonio watching me before I focus on Carys.
“I’ll text Lorcan and tell him I talked you into it. Antonio is here to protect you.”
She knows that’ll seal the deal. “I hardly need him to protect me.” I get in beside her, and Antonio appears in the driver’s seat as the door slams.
“Got that right. She’s a sharpshooter. Well, not quite, but still pretty impressive.” He grins at me in the rearview mirror.
We drive out of the complex and onto the road.
“So why the sudden interest in The Cage?” Her fingers fly across her phone.
“Not sudden. I’ve been to the O’Malley’s a few times. I saw their wall of dead heroes.” My voice is full of derision, but this information is why I agreed to tag along for the ride.
“Ah, yes.” She gestures to Antonio. “Do you understand how the whole thing works now? It’s been years.”