Page 48 of Until Ireland

“When you get a chance, I’m going to need your bill of sale and any other paperwork Lux provided you with the Aston,” Cobi stated.

I reached into the inside of my suit jacket and removed the envelope I’d tucked there before handing it to him. I could see the cogs in Cobi’s brain twirling as to why I had the paperwork readily available.

“I pulled them when Ireland called,” I explained. “Figured you’d be wanting them.”

Cobi pocketed the bookkeeping. “I gotta ask, Mack, has this ever happened to you before?”

Even just doing his job, his question pissed me off. I was a lot of things, but I wasn’t a fucking thief. As someone I’d known most of my life, Cobi should have believed that too. I pushed off the desk, standing to my full height, not caring about the anger pulsing off my body. “Fuck no, Cobi. You know me better than that. I’d never do anything to jeopardize either of my businesses. Or anyone else’s for that matter.”

Cobi gave a sheepish look and put his hand up in a piss poor attempt to calm me down.Fucker.“Sorry, Mack, I gotta do this shit by the book. You know that.”

I did. However, it still angered me.

“What the fuck ever, Cobi. Some shit you shouldn’t even have to ask,” I replied, ready to be done with this bullshit and go back to the ranch house where I could take care of my girl. But I couldn’t, because after Cobi was done with me, Ireland needed to explain to him what she’d just told me.

He grimaced. “If you didn’t like the last question, you’re going to really hate what I have to say next.” I braced myself for whatever he was about to lay out. “As this is now an ongoing investigation, I’m going to need you both to stay close to town for a while, in case I have more questions.”

“Not like I’m going anywhere, Cobi,” I stated. He flipped his notebook and tucked it in his back pocket. “Might not want to put that away just yet. Ireland has some additional information about Lux and the owner you might find interesting.”

Cobi’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I got her statement already, Mack.”

“There’s more.” When Ireland remained silent, I nudged her with my elbow. Then I listened to her repeat in more fucking detail what she’d told me a short time ago.

Cobi stared at her. The few times he glanced my way, I could see the wheels turning. Yeah, we were good like that. Even better when I had my brothers, theBroken Eagles,at my back.

“Did you report it?” His tone softened and was way gentler than when he questioned me.

Ireland shook her head before turning her face away in shame. Shame because some asshole hurt her. Like it was her fucking fault when it wasn’t, and I was going to make sure she knew every damn day of the rest of her life she had nothing to be ashamed of. Rather than cause her further humiliation, I wrapped my arm around her, tucking her close to me.

Her voice trembled when she spoke again. “Hunter took photos of the bruises and marks in case I wanted to make a report. He has them on his phone.”

Cobi nodded, cutting his gaze toward me. He popped a brow in question, and I gave a short shake of my head. I would though. I’d make sure Hunter sent me a set, because fuck Edgar. I was going to take a pound of flesh for every blemish on her porcelain skin.

“I’ll need to see them. I’ll give Hunter my card, so he can send them to me later.” I appreciated Cobi trying to shield Ireland from seeing those pictures again. Living through it had to be hard enough and reliving it, worse.

Once Ireland was done, Cobi flipped the little black notebook closed again and tucked it in his pocket.

“One more thing, Mack,” Cobi said, and I gave him a dark look. “I had someone run the UK VIN for me. It came with a hit from a collector on the East Coast. Marcus Weatherby.”

I gave a humorless laugh. “You gotta be fucking kidding me. Talk about dumb luck.”

“You know him?” Cobi inquired.

Of course I knew him. Most in my business did. He had more money than Midas and liked buying expensive things. I’d been lucky and gotten to see his collection once. Got a hard-on walking through his warehouse with all the classics and one-of-a-kind cars he had. Marcus owned a 63’ Ferrari 250 GTO. Its estimated value was seventy million, which was chump change for someone with Weatherby’s money.

I gave a sardonic smile. “Yeah. He’s going to be pissed.” To say the least. And if I didn’t get to Edgar first, Marcus would. “Contacting him is what number on your list?”

“Four.”

I nodded. “If you could wait to inform him tomorrow afternoon, I’d appreciate it. I’d like to contact him myself in the morning to let him know.”

Cobi looked at for him for a long moment before he nodded. “Can do.”

I turned to Ireland. “Stay here, cupcake. I’m going to walk Cobi out and then we’re leaving.”

She nodded, sinking back into her chair to wait.

Hunter was outside, watching the hauler pulling out with the Aston on its back. My stomach churned with rage. It made me sick to think I’d bought something hot. Watching a vehicle I’d purchased be loaded up for impound did something visceral to me. I couldn’t put it into words, but I never wanted to feel this way again. I stayed back, giving Cobi the time he needed to speak to Hunter, only coming into the conversation once Cobi had handed the other man his business card.

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