Page 18 of Bartered Innocence

The man reaches down and grabs the cigarette he’d dropped to catch me, and starts smoking it again while staring at me blankly. I’ve never seen him before, but even with his darker skin, the cross tattooed under his chin and down his neck is unmistakable. His black hair is braided in tight rows along the top, gathered in a small bun, and the side of his scalp is shaved.

“It’s for your safety,” his deep voice rumbles.

I roll my eyes. “I’ve lived here my whole life. Are you sure he’s not afraid I’ll run?”

He smirks. “I think he would prefer you did, it would be more exciting than deciding what flowers to pick and what shade of green the napkins should be.”

Hating that I want to laugh, I stifle my smile and shake my head before pausing. “Is he really helping pick out colors?”

“Want his number to call and find out?” He pulls out his phone and wiggles it in front of my face.

I stare at it and look away from the tempting offer, realizing I’m more comfortable than I should be around someone that’s part of a well-known mercenary group. His eyes study me as if reading the thoughts on my face, and a slight frown pulls at his lips.

“We wouldn’t hurt you, Isabelle. You’ve been his longer than you realize.”

“I’m not his.” My whisper isn’t even convincing to myself. I look over my shoulder at my car and then back at the man in front of me and sigh. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I give him one more glance before walking back to my car. Even if I thought about running, something tells me I wouldn’t get very far.

Chapter7

Rian

Leaningon the car outside the warehouse, I don’t glance up from where I’m watching the door when Cormac slides up next to me. Then the barest hint of Isabelle’s perfume has me spinning and grabbing his throat, pinning him to the car as he grins widely at me.

“Why the fuck do you smell like her?”

Cormac licks his lips. “Must have rubbed off when her body was pressed against—oomph.”

Air huffs out of him as I let go and punch him in the stomach. I step back as he leans over, clutching his stomach before he starts laughing. My fists curl at my sides, and I grind my teeth as I battle the desire to punch him again.

He straightens up, his shoulders still shaking with amusement. “She tripped and I caught her before she could fall.”

I frown, some anger draining. “When? You didn’t tell me.”

“When she confronted me as she was leaving work. I wanted to see your reaction,” he says nonchalantly, and I crack my knuckles to restrain myself from punching him again.

“Fucking bastard.”

Cormac chuckles, moving to stand next to me. “I’m gonna have Declan pull the tapes just so I can see you freak out again.”

I sigh. “Did you get the supplies to the Bryne family then? I assume Isabelle went home.”

He nods. “Yeah, I have one of the Quinn brothers keeping an eye out in case she moves. And Cillian ran by the Bryne’s, apparently Cara thanked himprofusely.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take a deep breath. “I swear to god you motherfuckers are going to send me into an early grave. Cara might be hopeful that Cillian will marry her now.”

Cormac shrugs. “Ehh. I think the widow was lonely and Cillian was willing. Who does it harm?”

“Us, our integrity. Oscar was loyal, he died running for us. And we pay him back by fucking his wife?”

“We pay him back by providing for his family. There’s still five years before the oldest kid can get a job.”

I shake my head. “Send one of the other men next time. If Cara wants to get her rocks off, it won’t be with the brotherhood.”

Cormac rolls his eyes just as the warehouse rolls open and we turn to face Luca and Ricky.

“About time. Does the Famiglia always run meetings this late? Or am I special?” I sneer.

Luca’s jaw tightens. “Something came up. I tried to get here as soon as I could. I didn’t think you would appreciate me sending someone in my place.”

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