Page 53 of Broken Blood Ties

Think, Summer. Think.

An Uber. That’s the first leg. Continue on the green train to the final stop. Then I’ll transfer to the red line and loop back to the school. After that, I’ll have to fork out the money for another Uber to a hotel.

I go over the plan in my head while pulling a silk scarf from my bag and covering my head with it. It’s not sunny, but I grab my sunglasses anyway and walk the four blocks to meet my ride. It’s going to be a long night.

Chapter17

Kieran

Frankly, I’m pissed. Cormac called at the most inconvenient time.

I jog to my Audi around the block. It wasn’t on my mind to stop atDolceAmore. But I’ve been feeling guilty about being gone while Aoife was sick, and I figured I’d grab her favorite dessert to tell her I’ll be taking her on the yacht this weekend.

Running into Summer, literally, was an accident. Although I can’t say a bad one.

I know I shouldn’t want to be near her or want to learn about the mysterious Summer Smith.

I’ve made it my job to understand people, to know when they’re being open and honest. Summer Smith is hiding something.

She’s beautiful, though. I’m not sure what to call the outfit she had on, looked sort of like an adult onesie with wide legs. The denim blue washed over her olive skin, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to the three cream-colored buttons decorating the V-neckline. Pretty sure they weren’t functional, but, hell, they drew my attention either way. Add having to watch her eat a cannoli—that’s punishment.

When I reach my car, I jump in, ignoring a phone call to my Bluetooth from Marco. The nerve that man has to call me so often, or ever for that matter.

I stew the five minutes to O’Brien’s over the fact Riku has wandered into the pub demanding to see the facilities for his men fighting tomorrow night. When I arrive, I park right in the front, then get out, buttoning my sport coat.

Inside, Riku sits at my bar, gesturing for Lizzy to pour him another glass of something while six of his henchmen surround him. The too-tight leather jacket wrapped around his torso limits the fluidity of his movements—he almost seems robotic.

I slow my pace into the pub and leisurely stroll over, glancing at Finn, Callum, and Cormac standing guard to the hallway. It’s early in the afternoon and they are the only ones here. Well, besides Lizzy behind the bar, who’s not dressed in her uniform yet. She must have come in early for inventory and is now stuck serving the newest leader of the Yakuza.

Riku has his back to me, unfazed by my entrance. All six of his men, however, turn toward me, hands in front of them.

I grit my teeth. “Riku.”

He lifts his head from where he’s focused on his glass but doesn’t appease me by turning around. Lizzy’s eyes flick to mine, her expression tight and brows furrowed. She attempts to step away from her position in front of Riku, but he abruptly stands and snatches her wrist. A shocked gasp leaves her mouth, and I see red.

Clenching my fists, I tsk but let out a chuckle. “Hands off, Riku.”

He looks over his shoulder at me. A black hoop nose ring hangs from his left nostril, and the tattoo above his cheekbone stretches as he offers me a wide grin. He makes a show of slowly releasing her, then swivels around on the stool to face me.

“Just having a bit of fun, Kieran.”

I remain planted in my spot.

“Not at the expense of me family ye’re not.” I huff out a breath while he raises his eyebrows.

“She”—he points to Lizzy—“is your family?”

I don’t need to tell him who my family is by blood. It doesn’t matter. “Anyone who works for me, in me pubs, is family.”

Riku smirks and untangles his arms crossed in front of his chest to lift both hands in surrender. “All right. All right.”

I pull at a loose thread on my sport coat. “What can the Irish do for ye, Riku?”

“Ah, such hospitality these days. My sources didn’t share how … welcoming you are.”

Out of the corner of my eye, Callum rolls his shoulders.

Tilting my head to the side, I ask again, “What is it ye want?”

---