Page 25 of Trust In Me

“Miss O’Keenan, how lovely to finally get the chance to speak with you. I was sure we would have met sooner, given I had strong ties with your father. I am awfully sorry about that terrible ordeal, but rest assured, my loyalty lies firmly with you now you have taken over as leader,” Whitlock replies, directing his attention to Bree in the poshest voice I’ve ever heard.

We both look towards Bree, waiting for her to speak. She appears to be taking several deep breaths, her eyes scrunched together as she focuses on her breathing. I don’t know if she’s trying to calm herself because she’s nervous, or angry. But, whatever the reason, when she opens her eyes, there's a fire there that matches her bright red hair. “Nice to speak to you too, Mr. Whitlock. Your loyalty is much appreciated. We have met before on several occasions, but I would only have been present as either Mia’s friend, or my father’s daughter, so it makes sense you wouldn’t remember.” Bree sounds pissed, and Liam grips hold of her hand tightly, no doubt giving her some of his strength. I just wish I could tell her how bad this is, how much of a bad guy this man really is.

“Yes, well…it’s still been a long time. Look, I know my Mia is living with you. I’m assuming this boyfriend that Kyle is speaking about is your other lodger, Mr. Kellan Burke?” he asks, using my full name to show us just how much he truly knows about us.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Bree replies quickly, her voice not even wavering in the slightest. There would be no point arguing because I’m the only person other than Liam living at the address. Besides, we already told Kyle it was me, he would have told him even if Bree kept quiet.

“If that’s the case then I’m going to have to insist Mia come home at once. I was under the impression she moved in to work for Mr. Burke as his nanny, not to keep his bed warm. Mia was promised to Kyle years ago, it was a business deal made long ago, and she agreed to it. I gave her time to complete her studies and gain work experience, but apparently she’s no longer doing that.” Mortimer no longer sounds as posh as he did before, instead venom drips from his tongue as he talks about Mia letting him down and jumping into bed with me.

I already know I shouldn’t do it, but I can’t seem to stop myself. My voice is harsh as I snap. “No way. There is no fucking way she’s moving out or marrying this cuntwaffle. Mia is staying with me, and this is not open for discussion.” My voice echoes loudly around the warehouse, as the phone crackles, waiting for him to speak. Silence fills the air, and the tension starts to feel almost claustrophobic.

I look to my right and Kian is back to his relaxed posture and cheesy grin, like me snapping at Whitlock is the most entertainment he’s seen in a long time. Bree and Liam, on the other hand, both look nervous as they hold each other’s hand and look across at me. Kyle looks furious. His face is turning purple and he’s actually biting his lip to stop himself from speaking. We all know that if he were to interrupt Whitlock after he rang him for help, it would be suicide. So he’s keeping quiet, and we’re all staring at the phone, just waiting for something to be said.

“Do not use that kind of language in front of me. I don’t care whatfunyou think you are having with my daughter, it ends now. She has commitments,” Whitlock finally snaps, and I can hear the fury lacing his words. I would love to see what his face looks like right now.

I get ready to reply, but before I can, Bree interrupts me. “Mr. Whitlock, I’m sorry you feel this way about Mia and Kellan’s relationship. I completely understand why you would be upset if she made a commitment. But, as is my understanding, you made a commitment too. You promised Mia the time to finish her qualification, did you not?”

“Yes, bu—”

Before Whitlock can finish his sentence, Bree interrupts him. “Well, Mia is in her final module. They anticipate she has around two to three months left, and then she will graduate. Surely you are honourable enough to allow her the time you promised her.” Bree isn’t just challenging him, she is challenging his honour, which, for a man like Whitlock, is everything.

“Of course I’m honourable enough to do that. But let me make this very clear for all parties involved, Miss O’Keenan, and that means you, Mr. Burke. When Mia’s school work is finished, and she graduates from university, there will be no more excuses. She will return home and do her duty to this family by marrying Mr. Fratacello, as agreed. Do I make myself perfectly clear?” I’m not sure who he is addressing the most, but as I see the smug smile spread across Kyle’s slimy face, I want to scream and shout. I want to tell them all they can fuck off. I want to tell him that she ismyMia, and if he calls her his ever again I will cut his bollocks off with gardening shears.

But, instead, I obey the silent gesture Bree is giving me. Her head is shaking vigorously and it couldn’t be any clearer that she is telling me not to respond. So I concentrate on breathing, hoping to regain some control over my anger, as Bree replies. “I completely understand. If that is the agreement that Mia made, then when the time comes she will need to honour that. But, until then, she can do as she pleases. And I hope I don’t have to remind you all that she is under my protection. If either of you attempt to make contact before the agreed time, you will have me to answer to. I’m only saying this so that it’s acknowledged. I trust you are both clever enough to know not to mess with me and my people.” As Bree speaks it sends shivers down my spine, the threat in her voice plain as day.

Kyle puts his fist into his mouth to prevent himself from speaking. He was obviously raised well, and is honouring the hierarchy rules that have been drilled into him regarding being around high society members. Bree may not be high society, but she is the top of the totem pole with regards to power, and everyone knows it.

Whitlock replies. “Of course, Mia will receive no trouble from me. I trust Mr. Fratacello will agree to this too. For me, business will always come first. As I said at the beginning of this call, it’s important that I maintain a good working relationship with you, Miss O’Keenan. As far as I’m concerned, this is a family business that you should never have been dragged into and I can only apologise for that. Thank you for looking after Mia, but please remind her when you speak to her of the terms of our arrangement. She must return at the end of her training, and she must marry Kyle. These things are non-negotiable, no matter how much Mr. Burke may wish they were.”

Bree holds her arm out, palm facing me, the typical stop hand gesture. It’s her way of telling me not to say a word, and so I don’t, despite really fucking wanting to.

“Will do. Glad we got that all sorted. I will be in touch soon, Mr. Whitlock. I have you on my list of people to discuss the business side of things with. But for now I will say goodbye, and, Kian, if you can escort Mr. Fratacello out, as I believe we are done speaking to him. That is all.”

With that, Bree reaches over the table, her ass leaving the seat, so she can reach Kyle’s phone to end the call. She then hands the phone to Kian, who is now by Kyle’s side.

“Wait,” Kyle shouts as Kian slides the phone into the pocket of Kyle’s suit jacket. “What about the loyalty test?”

Kian chuckles and Kyle shoots him an evil grin that doesn’t hold any power now. After we watch him quivering in his boots at the mere sound of Whitlock’s voice, Kyle has no power over us, not that he had much to start with. Liam replies to Kyle’s question. “As far as we’re concerned, your true loyalty test starts now. We are instructing you to cut all contact with Mia. You will not talk to her, text her, or threaten her in any way. If you do, we will kill you.” Liam stands, Bree’s hand in his, and I follow suit.

“But, you heard Mr. Whitlock. I will marry Mia.”

“We did hear that, but until that time comes, you will leave her alone. If you make contact with her in any way, you will be responsible for forfeiting the arrangement, and Whitlock will be informed of that. Do we make ourselves clear on this?” Liam’s voice takes on that deep, gravelly threatening tone that I know he hates to use. But there’s no denying it’s fucking effective. Kyle looks like he’s about to piss his pants.

“I understand,” Kyle says, and before he has a chance to say anything more, Kian grabs hold of the side of his arm and pulls him out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Bree, Liam, and I stand there, staring at each other, not really knowing what to say. But the tension is too much for me, so I speak first. “You knew Whitlock was Mia’s father, why didn’t you tell me?” I ask Bree.

“Because I didn’t know you would even know or care about Whitlock and who he is. He was one of my father’s many money men. He’s like a gazillionaire, and is obsessed with becoming the most popular rich kid on the playground, but that’s about it. He wants his family name, his legacy to live on, which is why he wants Mia to marry into a good family. Why are you looking at me like that?” Bree asks, as my face morphs into confusion. Does she honestly not know who Whitlock really is?

“Bree, Whitlock isn’t just a money man. He’s a big player, if not the top player. He has his fingers in a lot of pies, and he plays both sides off against each other. He’s a master manipulator, who wants a hell of a lot more than power. He thinks he’s God. His little Black Book is basically a who’s who of the criminal underground, and he knows it all. But, putting all the power play bullshit to one side, he’s also a fucking disgusting excuse for a human being. He is into kids, and makes a lot of money buying and selling them as sex slaves. He’s the worst type of person, and now I know Mia grew up with him as a father, it tells me far more than I ever wanted to know. If you get into bed with this asshole, Bree, I promise you will regret it. He wouldn’t know loyalty if it bit him in the ass,” I explain, and I can see the colour draining from both Bree’s and Liam’s faces. I know they are putting together the pieces the same way I am.

Obviously I won’t know for sure unless I talk directly with Mia, but I don’t think she could possibly have grown up in his household and not know what he’s like. It's bad enough that Whitlock likes children, but the thought he may have abused his own daughter causes my stomach to flip as nausea grips hold of me. I don’t want to believe it, but I know Mia experienced a trauma she won’t talk about. Something so bad she can’t even say it aloud. I just never guessed she had been sexually abused by her own father.

No! Do not jump to that assumption. I could be adding two and two together to make five. I could be getting it all wrong. I don’t want to push Mia into feeling like she has to talk to me, but for the sake of my own mental health, I have to know the truth. I’m hoping what I’m imagining is the worst-case scenario.

“How the hell do you know all of this? I’ve heard of a Black Book, but I had no idea it was Whitlock’s,” Bree asks, musing aloud about the elusive Black Book.

“I know because I have the Black Book. A little over a year ago, I did a job with a woman, she was working for the Celtic Reapers. They wanted the Black Book and tasked her with getting it. We got it, and even though I handed some data over to the Reapers, I didn’t give them everything. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to give them any more power. Which turned out to be a great move, given they were playing me the entire time. She made me think we were a team, until she stole everything I had and left me holding a baby.”

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