Page 128 of Dublin Beast

Harper

Another freaking dead end!

I groan and push back from the massive mahogany desk in the formal library, frustrated at myself.

Why can’t I find what I need? I’ve always considered myself good at finding buried information, but even though I’ve unwoven a lot of the mystery, I can’t narrow down who took Macie and Chantal.

I know who was there. I’ve tried to follow the money. I’ve tried everything I can think of and am still no closer.

The families of my BFFs deserve answers. My girls deserve closure. And I’m failing everyone.

I groan, raking rough fingers through my hair as I pace through the serene space. Maybe I should go upstairs and have a bath. Clear my head. Relax and maybe an idea might jog loose.

There’s an amazing old soaker tub in Bryan’s room that he never uses.

I guess it’s sort ofourroom now—though it feels foreign to think of it that way. Since Bryan and I made up a couple of weeks ago, things have been going really good. And as much as I don’t want to get too attached too quickly, the quiet comfort I’ve found here is something I can’t deny.

Being with Bryan feels right. He’s so much more than I expected, and I suppose unraveling the mysteries of him has been the best part.

Thinking about him makes me smile. He’s been so much more at peace since Yasmine’s mother gave him that letter. He’s been able to talk to me about her. And although he seemed to think his love for her would make me sad or jealous, it doesn’t.

She’s part of how he became the man I love.

His love for her is part of his heart and soul. I would never want him to forfeit a part of himself for me. I know how my dad carried the love of our mom for all the years he raised us.

He never found another love—I wish he had.

But Bryan has another shot at love, and I’m honored to be the one to give it to him. We’re great together. Different from the way he and Yasmine were great together, but no less amazing.

Movement in the corridor has my heart rate jumping for a moment before I remember that Bryan is out with Brendan tonight doing something at one of the warehouses.

“Are you up for a cuppa tea and taking a break?” Nora enters the library carrying a tea tray with two pieces of cake and a small tea set. “You’ve been at it for hours.”

I have. I’ve been toggling between spreadsheets, encrypted files, and the stinking guest lists from Eddie Mason’s mansion.

Dates. Names. Transactions. Follow-up meetings.

And nothing.

I sigh. “There are still key pieces missing from the puzzle, and I can’t seem to get it to take shape.”

Nora sets the tray on the little coffee table in front of the fire, and I join her.

“That’s what I’d like to talk to you about.” She presses her finger to the top of the little ceramic pot and pours each of us a cup of tea. “I know how driven you are to find those responsible for taking your friends?—”

My eyes widen. “I hear a but coming.”

She flashes me a soft smile and blushes. “But, Brendan suggested something to me a couple of weeks ago and I wondered what you’d think about it.”

A couple of weeks ago? “Brendan suggested what?”

She shifts back onto the sofa and picks up her plate of cake. “First, I want you to know that the brothers are behind you, no matter how your search plays out. They have openly opposed the exploitation of women and will go up against the Masons and McGuires and whoever else they need to, without question.”

I hear another but coming, but don’t point it out. Instead, I plow a forkful of cake into my mouth to keep me from getting defensive.

“Bryan loves you and that makes you part of a very powerful family,” Nora continues, “but as powerful as the Quinns are, there are things they don’t have access to—especially in the arena of taking down criminals.”

I chew the chocolate bliss, raspberry mousse making love to my mouth. Hot damn, Cora is one talented lady. “Are you saying you don’t think I can do it?”

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