Page 131 of Flawed

"Good. Now get the fuck out of here before someone sees you," he orders, then returns to his penthouse.

I carefully navigate the building. I get to the bottom of the staircase, tug my hat down, and put my hood over it. I step out into the fresh air, round the corner, then cross the street. I slide into the beat-up Chevy that I've been driving since I've been in hiding.

I should return to the safe house I've been staying at in New Jersey. Yet so much relief fills me, that I need to take a bit to contemplate what I've set in motion.

It's finally going to happen.

A million thoughts race through my mind. I finally start the engine and am about to pull out when my mouth turns dry. My stomach flips.

It can't be her.

Why is she here?

I peer closer, thinking I must be seeing things, but there's no way I'm making a mistake.

Alaina O'Leary, daughter of Jack, who heads the clan in Ireland and is Joseph's brother, steps out of Brody's building.

Why would Alaina O'Leary be here?

Was it her voice I heard in Brody's penthouse?

No, it can't be.

There's no way.

She tosses on her oversized designer sunglasses and slides into an SUV. It takes off.

I'm tempted to follow her, but my gut screams I'm too close to the end to risk being seen. Part of me wants to return to Brody's and ask him about her, but I can't be rocking the boat right now. He's the only one I think would do this for me.

So I put it in the back of my mind and decide to question him later about her.

I get home and lie low for the week. Every day seems to drag on. My curiosity about her never dies. I'm always wondering why she was there or how Brody will pull this off.

When Tuesday finally comes, I'm antsy all day. Around eight, I get a message from Brody.

Brody:Everything's set. Meet me at Chewy's.

Me:Done.

Why is he making me meet him there?

Chewy's is the nickname the O'Connors gave the run-down, brick office building that Tully purchased. It's in the middle of a deserted part of town. To the naked eye, it looks like a building that should be demolished. The true reason Tully bought it is for the cellar where he tortures men.

I get in my Chevy and pull in at the same time Brody does.

We go inside, and I question, "Why are we here? Jacopo's place is at least forty-five minutes away."

Brody's lips twitch. "You do know there's technology in today's age?"

"What the fuck does that mean?" I bark, on edge.

"Chill out," he instructs.

I take a deep breath. "Fine."

He shakes his head like I'm an idiot. "You should get up on the times."

"Brody, cut the shit. Why are we here? Don't tell me that you changed your mind," I warn.

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