Page 79 of Retribution

The door creaks open, and Finn slips in. Derry’s in such a rage he doesn’t register Finn’s presence. I keep my focus on Derry.

“If it was going to be a woman, I think she’d be the one to do it.” Finn’s tone is low and menacing. “If it needs to be a man, I’m happy to oblige.”

Derry whirls around faster than I expect from a man clutching his balls. “Finn.” His eyes are wild with fear. “We were talking.”

“I think you were touching. And I’m pretty sure”—he holds up a finger—“I told you what touching her meant.”

“I was just tryin’ to find out why she was here. You’re not on the list.”

Funny, he didn’t say a word about a list. I flip my knife around in my hand, content to let Finn lead this line of questioning.

“Didn’t sound like it to me. We’re on the list—Carys Van de Berg, party of three.” His arms are loose at his side, but every once in a while, he makes a fist and releases it, as though he’s warming up his hands.

“Van de Berg.” Derry smirks. “Wasn’t she the chick who almost got you deported to Ireland or some shit?”

Finn’s right fist connects with Derry’s face so fast, if he wasn’t doubled over again, I’d wonder if it happened. He coughs and touches his face with his fingertips, grimacing.

“How many times did he touch you?” Finn asks.

“With his lips or his hands?”

Finn brings his fist around hard into Derry’s side. “Sounds like at least twice.”

“Oof.” He falls to his knees, hands raised, bent at the waist. His breathing is labored. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

I snort. “You mean you couldn’t do any harm.” Rolling my eyes at Finn, I tuck my knife into my pants.

“I’m not getting into this with you anymore tonight.” Finn’s icy gaze watches him stumble to his feet. “I got a fight to watch. Don’t think this is the end of it.”

Derry clutches his side and limps out the door without saying a word. At least he knows better than to taunt Finn any more.

“Thanks,” I say when the door clicks shut. “How’d you know where I was?”

“’Cause you headed in the wrong direction to the bathroom. The bathrooms for the fight are on the floor. You don’t go down this hall unless you’re doing business. Lorcan wanted to come, but I didn’t figure you wanted his help.”

I shove my hands into my coat pockets. “I didn’t need help, actually.”

Finn chuckles. “Can’t give an inch, huh?”

“Would you?”

He eyes me with what seems like a touch of respect. “No.” When I go to step toward the door, he steps with me.

“The fight is about to start.” I can never read him, and it’s exasperating.

“Are you pissed at Lorcan, or is this something you two engineered to create a rift between you?”

“Are you reselling those women and kids to someone else?” I stare at him, hoping I misunderstood.

He shrugs.

“Then I’m pissed. At both of you. Not just him. But mostly him.”

“A leopard doesn’t change its spots ’cause it starts banging a cougar.”

“Nice, Finn. Real nice.” I cross my arms and refuse to focus on him. “How’d your mom die?”

“What’s that have to do with anything?”