Chapter 34
“ T alk about a shitshow.” Shooting a glance at Seamus, I grunt in agreement.
Angus going off the deep end, while not unexpected, is a ball ache I could do without right now.
Between our daily dealings and watching out for Cora while ensuring there’s no ties linking me to her, this is the last thing I need.
Cracking my neck to relieve some of the tension, I lead the way to collect our weapons.
“You can say that again,” I sigh as we collect our guns before making our way out to the car.
The sooner we’re on our way out of Scotland, the better.
Every second inside their compound, surrounded by mindless soldiers, is a second too long.
The contrast between home and here is always glaringly obvious in the most unsettling way.
“What’s our next call of action?”
“We go home,” I answer wryly, knowing full well that’s not what he’s asking me. When a scoff is all the answer I get, I crack my neck before muttering, “And then we get to work. Things are heating up. Think Owen is ready to step up and earn his place?”
“I’ll make him ready.” His words hold more conviction than I think he truly has, but I let it drop for now.
His son’s softheartedness isn’t high on my list of worries.
After all, he’ll either shape up to be the man the Four Points needs, or he’ll be cut loose.
After Angus’ outburst, my biggest concern is making sure he has no reason to suspect I have a daughter, because despite the code of honour that’s meant to exist, I don’t doubt for a second he would exploit her existence in a heartbeat.
If one hair on her head is touched because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.
Perhaps now’s the time to stop outsourcing her security and get someone I can trust instead.
Hours later, I’m still weighing my options as we pull up to the penthouse. With a gruff thanks, I make my way inside. I stride through the lobby as the answer comes to me in the form of an overheard conversation.
“Come on, man. You know I can beat your ass.” Glancing over at the commotion, I see one of our newest recruits stepping up to Owen. With a roll of his eyes, Owen pushes him back before clipping him around the back of the head.
“Bullshit. Liam Finlay trained me himself. You do know that asshole is a black belt?” His scoff is met with a protest from the new kid.
With a fond shake of his head, he looks around the lobby, only to meet my gaze.
He tips his chin in greeting, a lopsided smile on his face, but I’m already entering the lift with little more than a half wave.
Turning my attention back to the issue at hand, I mull over that name.
Liam Finlay, one of three brothers, if memory serves.
Never one for bringing trouble across my doorstep, and yet notorious for getting results.
Quiet fucker. Big on not asking unnecessary questions. Perfect qualities for a guard.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot off a text to Jack to send them over.
Entering the dark penthouse, I use muscle memory to make my way over to the drink cart.
When the elevator dings with their arrival, I’m looking out at the city below.
The sight of London twinkling below would be relaxing if it didn’t fill me with a sense of overwhelming responsibility.
Without the Four Points’ careful rule, this city would be nothing, and they don’t even know it.
“Jack said you wanted to see us, boss man?”
“What did I tell you, Cole? Shut the fuck up. Sorry about him, sir. He’s new to this,” Liam grunts, sounding frustrated with his younger brother.
Biting back a smirk, I turn to face them.
Liam has taken a couple of steps in front of his brothers, and if the dark scowl on his face is anything to go by, he’ll be ripping them a new one once we’re done here.
Looking past him, I take in his brothers.
The younger one, a kid with bleach blond hair, looks like a cocky little shit on the surface, but if his constant shuffling and fidgeting is anything to go by, he’s seconds away from shitting himself.
Good. A healthy dose of fear will keep him in line.
Beside him must be Aidan, the middle brother.
He’s wisely keeping his gaze steady on me, showing no sign of fear, but the way his chin is dipped conveys respect.
Looking over the three of them, I weigh them up.
When it comes to protecting my daughter, I can’t afford to cut corners.
The time for outsourcing her protection has come to an end.
It just doesn’t make sense anymore, not when the threats she needs protecting from are deep rooted in this life.
Outsiders are woefully underprepared, uneducated on the risks and threats out there.
Using some of my own guys takes away that risk factor, but in its place, it increases the chances of questions and suspicions. The epitome of a rock and a hard place.
“I’ve a job for you three. Discretion is a must.” I raise my eyebrow, and at their confused nods, continue.
“It’s a guard position, but your charge won’t and can’t know you’re on her tail.
Neither can anyone else. If you breathe one word about it to anyone, it’ll be the last thing you do, understand? ”
“We can do discreet,” Liam reassures me with a firm nod.
“Good. Show me you can be trusted, and maybe we can talk about a more permanent promotion. Don’t worry about explaining things to Jack.
I’ll handle telling him,” I reassure them, indicating for them to follow me through the dark living room to my office.
Flicking the light on, I make my way to my desk, perching against the front of it as I watch them file in.
The differences between the three of them couldn’t be more obvious: whereas Liam is clearly shut off and just here to do a job, Cole is practically a kid in a candy shop, taking everything in with wide eyes.
Aidan rounds the trio out with untrusting eyes that haven’t left me for a second.
“Your charge is a twenty-year-old female. She currently works for O’Neill’s and lives in a rundown flat with her boyfriend.
I need you three to keep an eye on her, tail her without her knowing.
If any threats appear, handle them. Give me daily reports.
That kind of thing,” I inform them, watching as confusion darts across their faces and they exchange a look.
Clearing his throat, Liam answers for them. “Consider it done.”
With that, I give them the dossier I have on Cora with strict instructions not to repeat or share this with anyone.
They’re bound to have their suspicions about why a bartender at O’Neill’s warrants this kind of protection, but, wisely, they keep their questions to themselves.
Placing my trust in these three to guard the single most important person to me is a hard pill to swallow, but needs must be met.
And right now, I need to be able to hunt for answers without worrying about her safety.
The time for her to flounder on her own is fast running out, and the sooner I can bring her home where she should always have been, the better.