Page 65 of Until Ireland

Edgar grinned. His dark eyes were filled with menace. Everything about him screamed fraud and someone people didn’t want to mess with. How I’d missed this, I’d never know, but seeing it now, I was glad he was finished. “Well, sometimes things fall into your lap.”

“True.” I nodded. “Same as always then?”

“Electronic transfers are the preferred way,” he agreed. “You can never be too careful.”

The second the money was received, Edgar’s bank account would automatically be frozen. “No, you can’t.”

Edgar showed the amount due. I could either pay the dealer retainer fee or the total. I chose to pay up front, which was how Cobi had arranged everything. From there, I used my phone, which was tracked by the PD along with Cobi, and made the payment. Within a matter of seconds, the transaction was complete.

“Pleasure doing business with you. Until next time.” I shook his hand, willing myself to stay calm and not blow my cover. As it stood, I wanted to beat him to a bloody pulp. Edgar needed to suffer as much as he made Ireland suffer. To fear the shadows because of who might be in them, waiting. Rationally, I knew he was going down and he’d spend a good portion of his life in jail, but it wasn’t enough. It never would be.

I was doing this for myself and for Ireland. Releasing his grip, I turned to walk away.

Two seconds later, the doors connected to the garage were kicked open along with the one leading outside. Officers and those who’d been with Jax and Ireland rushed in. We were surrounded, and like the unwitting buyer I was, I’d been taken to the ground and handcuffed so no one suspected a thing. Behind me, Edgar fought with the officers, trying to run away. He and his men didn’t get far. Silently, I was led outside to a waiting patrol car.

Once I was shoved into the car, it pulled away with Ireland beside me. Her knee bounced as she tried not to squirm in the seat. I couldn’t touch her yet. We had to make this look good. There was no way I’d put either of us at risk, even though my palms itched to hold her. Tension filled my body, craving the minute I could wrap her in my arms.

When we pulled up to where Cobi had been waiting, the officer who was driving let us out and undid the cuffs at my wrists. Ireland squealed in happiness, launching herself at me. Her exhilaration was contagious. I laughed, hugging her tight, relieved to see she was okay.

“I wanted to see the look on his face when he realized I’d been there to see him go down,” Ireland whispered in my ear. “But I figured something out while we were tagging cars. Edgar doesn’t have any business in my life anymore. He doesn’t deserve an ounce of my time.”

“I’m glad you weren’t there.” I held her tight, pride filling my chest. “I worried about you so much.”

“Same.” She slid down my body until her feet touched the ground.

“Okay, lovebirds,” Cobi teased. “We have fifteen stolen cars on the lot, not to mention the vehicles sold in the private auction. We’re going to need your statements before you can go home.”

Ireland pouted. “Ah, man. Here I thought I was going to be able to bang my fiancée.”

Snickering, I gathered her close. “Statement first, fucking second.” I pressed my lips to her temple while Cobi rolled his eyes.

“I don’t care what you two do as long as I’m not present for it.” He glanced over at the officer who’d brought us to Cobi’s location. “Take them to the station and have them fill out the forms. I’ll see the both of you later. This is going to take forever.”

After helping Ireland back into the car, I went to Cobi. “Thanks for this. I’ll let Ashbury know we have his car too. I’m sure the rich bastard will be ecstatic to have the beauty back.”

“You do that. It should be me saying thank you,” he replied. “I appreciate everything you and Ireland did today. Hopefully, with all we’ve gathered at the site, he’ll be going away for a long time.”

“Good to hear.” I tapped the windowsill of his car. “See you at the engagement party?

He chuckled. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Epilogue

Ireland

Pregnant.

I stared at the stick, knowing full well I was already forty-five minutes late to my engagement party. Mack had left a couple of hours ago to put the final touches in place. Thank God. If he saw this test, he’d have hoisted me over his shoulder and carried me to Vegas for a quickie marriage at the Little Chapel of Love. Knowing my luck, Mack would even have Elvis marry us then serenade us withLove Me Tenderfor our first dance.

I snickered then snapped myself out of the daydream.I’m pregnant.I wouldn’t ask the stupid fucking question of how did that happen, because I knew. Mack and I had agreed we both wanted children immediately, but this wasimmediately—like within the next eight to nine months. As much as I wanted to scrub my face and have a complete meltdown, I didn’t. First, I had to get a move on. Second, I had a full face of makeup, and yeah, doing anything now would cause me to look like the creature from the black lagoon. Third, because I should’ve known Mack was potent.

A knock came at the bathroom door of Mack’s apartment over Flame. I shoved the test strip into my purse before opening it. Hunter stood there looking a bit harried. He fidgeted with his tie then slipped his finger between the collar of his shirt and throat. “Mack sent me to get you. Said you’d be late to your funeral if someone didn’t keep you on schedule.”

I laughed. “True. So, what do you think?” I spun around in the powder blue polka dotted vintage dress. “I picked it up at a steal.”

Hunter’s features softened. “You look beautiful, Ire. Mom and Dad would be proud of you.”

“Yeah, I’m marrying rich,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. After everything Mack and I had been through, I could have really used my mom. I missed her desperately and now even more so, since she wouldn’t be here to see her grandchildren.

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