Chapter 5
Chapter Five
RILEY
The sound of a siren outside the window jolts me awake, and I bolt upright in bed as an overwhelming sense of panic hits me.
I’m not at home.
Where the hell am I?
The events of last night come flooding back all at once, and I realize that I’m in Kieran Sullivan’s apartment.
“Urgh.” I collapse back against the too-soft pillows.
Seriously, I didn’t think pillows could be this soft, but these feel like I’m resting my head on a cloud.
The early morning sunlight is starting to stream in through the gap in the curtains, adding much-needed warmth to the otherwise cold-looking room.
Whoever Kieran hired to decorate the place should be fired. I’ve been in hospitals less sterile than this apartment.
If the furniture isn’t black or gray, it’s white, and the same goes for every piece of decor too.
It’s a stark contrast to the bedroom I left behind at my family’s estate, and if my plan works out like I hope, I doubt I’ll ever step foot inside that house again. At least not while my uncle is alive.
I reach for the burner phone that I set on the bedside table and check the time.
It’s not much past six, but I have a feeling that Lucy will already be awake. So, I open up the keypad and dial her number from memory.
“Hello?”
I wince at her panicked tone.
“Hey, Luce. It’s me.”
“Riley? Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling you all damn night!”
“I’m fine.”
“Tell that to your brother who’s been blowing up my phone like a damn booty call.”
“First off, that’s disgusting. Please do not ever refer to Oscar as a booty call again. And second, I’m completely fine.”
“Then why aren’t you at home? Oscar rang at like one A.M. saying that your bed was empty and your car was still parked out front.”
“It’s a long story…”
“I’ve got nothing but time, Riles.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, I can’t get into it properly now, but I couldn’t stay at the house any longer.”
“Why?”
“Because my uncle has decided it's time I get married.”
“He what?”
“Like I said, it’s a long story…”
“You could have come to my place, you know that.”
“Yeah, and so does Oscar, which is why I couldn’t.”
“Can you at least tell me where you are?”
“Not right now.”
“Do you not trust me?” The hurt in her voice has me cringing, but I can’t let her sway me.
“Of course, I do, Lucy. But this could become dangerous, and I don’t want you getting caught up in it. Trust me, I’m keeping you in the dark to protect you.”
“You sound like you’re my mob boss boyfriend.”
I laugh. “You need to stop reading so much romance.”
“Never.”
I chuckle softly, feeling grateful for the sense of normalcy that Lucy is offering me right now. My life might have completely imploded, but at least I have her.
“Look, I have to get ready for my Pilates class, but you might want to give Oscar a call to tell him you’re not dead before he decides to send in a hit squad.”
I sigh. “Okay, fine.”
“Call me later?”
“Sure thing.” I hang up the call and stay staring at the screen for a few seconds.
I know I should probably call Oscar to tell him I’m all right, but part of me wants to keep him in the dark.
It’s clear how little he truly cares about me if he’s willing to marry me off, knowing full well how unhappy it would make me, so he deserves to sweat a little longer.
Tossing the phone aside, I throw back the covers and pad into the adjoining bathroom. I make full use of the enormous shower, taking the time to wash my hair and fully exfoliate my skin.
The hot water soothes me as it cascades over my body, momentarily making me forget about the conversations I need to have today.
The Sullivans want proof in order to help me, but I can’t just hand over the documents I found. They’ll be looking for a loophole, especially Kieran. So, I need to make sure I have their protection first before I even think about sharing what I know.
It took me a while to fall asleep last night, so I took the time to read through the file. And I know the Sullivans will be very interested in the dirt I have on Sean O’Keefe. Unfortunately for them, it will come at a price.
Shutting off the water, I wrap a towel around myself and head back into the bedroom to get dressed. I have no idea what time Ronan is coming over with the rest of the Sullivan crew, but I have a feeling they’re not one for leisurely mornings.
If I’m going to call Oscar, I’ll have to do it now.
Once I’m dressed, I perch on the edge of the enormous bed and finally call my brother.
“Hello?”
“It’s me.”
“Riley. Are you okay? Where the hell are you?”
“I’m fine. I just…needed space.”
“You ran away.”
“You gave me no choice.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Riley.”
“I’m not marrying Sean O’Keefe.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Rion isn’t going to like this.”
“That’s not really my problem.”
“It is when Sean decides to punish us all for backing out of the arrangement.”
“Well, you should have thought of that before agreeing to marry me off without even consulting me first!”
“Riley, please—”
“If you really cared about me, you would back me up instead of making excuses.”
“Don’t put this on me.”
“I already have.” I end the call and throw the phone aside.
My stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten since yesterday, so I pull my hoodie on over my tennis skirt and tank top and head downstairs to find the kitchen.
As expected, I find Kieran already there, cooking up some bacon and eggs at the stove.
He’s shirtless and dripping in sweat, wearing nothing but a pair of workout shorts. His dark hair is also damp and curling slightly at the nape of his neck.
For a second, I’m transfixed by the sight of his muscular back. Unlike mine, his skin is tanned and golden. His shoulders are broad and sculpted to perfection.
My eyes trail along the crease of his spine, stopping when it reaches the curve of his ass.
“It’s rude to stare.”
I blink. “I wasn’t staring.”
I totally was.
“Uh huh.” He glances over his shoulder at me and smirks.
I offer him my signature scowl before spying the coffee pot.
Oh, thank the Lord that Kieran’s not the type of health nut that avoids caffeine.
I simply cannot survive without coffee, so I walk around the island, making sure to put as much distance between me and Kieran’s muscles as possible. “Where are your mugs?”
Instead of telling me, Kieran sets down the spatula and crosses over to me.
My breath catches as I eye his muscled torso, and the asshole seems to notice as he smirks again.
“Right here.” He reaches up into one of the overhead cupboards, and I have to back myself up against the counter so that his chest doesn’t brush against mine.
The temptation to reach out and run my fingers along the contours of his abs is almost overwhelming, but then I remember who I’m dealing with.
Kieran Sullivan has a reputation, and it’s not one I plan on confirming for myself. He might be trying to wind me up in more ways than one, but unlucky for him, I’m not so easily swayed by the sight of a half-naked man, even if that man looks like Hercules incarnate.
“You stink. I’d appreciate it in the future if you didn’t shove your sweaty armpits in my face.”
He sets the mug down on the counter. “And I would appreciate it if in future you stayed in a hotel. I’m not running a fucking bed and breakfast.”
He snatches the coffee pot and stalks back over to the stove, where he empties the pot into his own mug. And I die a little inside.
He then sets about plating up a heaping serving of bacon and eggs before taking the plate, along with his coffee, up the stairs, no doubt to enjoy it in his little man cave.
Now not only am I hungry, but I’m also angry, and that is not a good combination.
By the time I’ve brewed a fresh pot of coffee and made myself a rather pathetic breakfast of yogurt and berries, Kieran reappears.
He’s freshly showered and wearing a black shirt and slacks that hug his muscular physique a little too well, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows to expose his forearms.
“I’m surprised you left me alone with all these knives.”
“I”m not afraid of a little pain.” He smirks.
Before I can fire back at him, the private elevator at the far end of the lounge pings and the doors slide open, revealing the rest of the Sullivan clan.
Here goes nothing.
I try not to gawk at the three brothers stepping out of the elevator looking like they’ve just come off a runway. Each one is dressed in black like Kieran and yet, they all wear it so differently.
Ronan is the most similar to Kieran in terms of the sheer height and width of him. But where Kieran looks more rough around the edges, Ronan is clean cut, though I know on the inside he’s anything but. He looks like he could easily snap my bones with his bare hands.
My eyes flick to the brother standing to his left. I’ve never seen him before, so he must be Cormac. He’s slightly taller than Ronan and also leaner. But there’s something in his expression that is almost cold and somewhat calculating as he glances my way.
I have a feeling where Kieran is the muscle of the family, Cormac might be the brains.
I quickly look away and notice that the final brother, Brennan, is grinning at me like a Cheshire cat.
There’s a slight dimple in his right cheek, making him look much more youthful and approachable compared to the rest of the Sullivans.
I offer him a shy wave in return, suddenly unable to locate my tongue.
Kieran folds his arms over his chest. “Now that everyone’s here, can you please tell us what the fuck you have on Sean O’Keefe so you can get the hell out of my apartment?”
Brennan lets out a low whistle. “That’s not very hospitable of you, brother.”
“By all means, take her.”
I huff. “I’m sitting right here, you know?”
“I know, you’re drinking all the damn coffee.”
Ronan bypasses the kitchen and heads straight down the hall. “I think it’s best if we take this conversation elsewhere.”
Brennan and Cormac fall in line behind him, so I take that as my cue to follow them.
I sigh as I slide off the bar stool and grab my coffee mug to bring with me. “Oh, yes, please take me back to the weapons bunker.”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t like the idea of being locked in a room with all four of us,” Kieran murmurs in my ear as I pass by him.
I almost drop my coffee mug, and Kieran chuckles darkly as my cheeks burn.
“Interesting, so you like that idea, huh?”
“You’re a pig.”
“I’m just trying to work out if you’re a prudish little princess or a closeted brat.”
My cheeks burn again but this time, from embarrassment.
What would Kieran think if he learned that I’ve never even slept with a guy? Would he be turned off by it or would he like the fact that I’m a virgin?
I shouldn’t even be entertaining such thoughts.
“Why do you even care? It’s like you said, I’m not going to be staying here long.”
Kieran laughs again, clearly amused by my discomfort but thankfully, he keeps his mouth shut as we enter his office and take a seat at the antique poker table.
My palms are slick with sweat as I sit down between Kieran and Brennan. I’m not used to sitting in on meetings like this and my oversized hoodie and tennis skirt feel out of place among the thousand-dollar suits and priceless antique furniture.
Smoothing my hands over my skirt, I look at Ronan who dips his chin at me.
“Go ahead, Riley.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat and glance at each of the Sullivan brothers in turn, trying not to think of what Oscar would say if he knew I was here.
“My uncle and brother want to marry me off to Sean O’Keefe.”
Brennan winces. “Oh, shit.”
Ronan shoots him a look.
“I’m obviously not doing it, but it’s not as easy as that… I need your help.” I look straight at Ronan now, knowing that he will have the final say over whether the Sullivan family decides to help me, the disgraced daughter of their dead rival.
“Like I said last night, I found some documents that my father hid, containing dirt on O’Keefe that I thought might be of interest to you.”
Kieran leans forward. “Okay… So, what is it?”
“I told you last night, I’m not willing to hand the information over until we have a deal.”
“Unbelievable.”
Cormac nods. “What sort of information is it? Images? Transcripts? Bank statements?”
“I’m not willing to tell you that either.”
Kieran snickers. “What are you willing to tell us?”
I glance at each of the brothers once again, knowing that the hand I’m about the play is the only one I have left. If they still refuse to help me, I’m going to have to come up with some other way of getting out of this marriage that doesn’t involve me committing first degree murder.
Taking a deep breath, I look Ronan directly in the eyes and hope to God he can see that I’m telling the truth.
“What if I told you this information also directly links Sean O’Keefe to the murder of Seamus Sullivan?”