Page 70 of Arranged Scars
Real anger simmers in my chest. “You don’t get to order me around.”
“Maybe not, but you’re going to listen anyway.” His body seems to vibrate with intensity. “No more risks. No more putting yourself in danger. We play this my way, and my way means you stay at home. Understand?”
“We have an opportunity.” I’m not backing down. He wants to make me hang my head and cry, but that’s not going to happen. Screw him and this stupid little show he’s putting on. “Look at that place back there. Assuming it’s even the real location.” I glance at where Liam’s lingering nearby. He shrugs and that’s all the assent I need. “This can work. You and Liam wear masks. You break in and act like you’re robbing the place. But something goes wrong, you kill Dermot by mistake. It looks real because it is real, and nobody knows that it was you two who did it. I don’t have to be inside at all for the dangerous stuff.” Although a part of me wishes I could be, but I know when to cut my losses. I look over at Liam. “Tell me that wouldn’t work.”
Liam shrugs thoughtfully. “It’s a good idea, actually.”
“No.” Finn glares at me. “We’re waiting.”
“When’s another chance like this going to come around? Dermot’s a recluse. He barely goes out. If we don’t strike now while we can, you really think we’ll stumble into another opportunity this good?”
Finn’s jaw works. “There will be other times.”
“You hate him too. You probably hate him as much as I do. This is our shot, Finn. You and Liam can do it.”
He glances at his lieutenant who’s casually grinning like this is the funniest thing he’s ever seen. For a second, I think Finn’s going to give in. He knows it’s a good idea. There’s definitely some risk involved for the two of them, but if they’re fast and careful, they could pull it off without getting caught. Make it look like a botched robbery. My family will be devastated. It’ll be fantastic.
“Get in the car,” Finn says finally.
“No. I don’t want to. I drove here.”
“Liam will take care of that. Get in my car right now, Caroline.”
“Finn—”
He snarls and takes me by the hand. I let out a surprised yelp at the intensity of his grip. He drags me to his vehicle as I glance over my shoulder. Liam’s already walking away and lighting another one of his cigarillos.
The back seat is dark. There’s nobody up front. I expect Finn to get behind the wheel, but instead he gets in with me. There’s no light around here, no street lamps, no windows, no stores open late. I’m breathing hard as my big husband moves forward, pinning me against the far door.
“You’re going to get us killed,” he whispers, his mouth inches from my neck. I’m shivering all over from fear and a heady, overwhelming desire.
“That was always a distinct outcome. It wouldn’t be the worst thing, right? Another dead Flanagan?”
He sighs, lips brushing my neck. “When this started, I might’ve told myself that. Who cares if you get hurt? You’re one of them.”
“You don’t sound like you believe that anymore.”
“Because I don’t.”
“Why? Did you grow fond of me, Finn?”
“Yes. More than I wanted.”
A thrill hits me in the core. I stare at his eyes in the darkness and I’m so scared, but not because I think he’s going to hurt me.
It’s this need burning in my guts.
“Why have you been avoiding me?” I whisper, my fingers running through his hair. He lets out a soft, snarling groan, and it nearly breaks me right then and there.
“You know why.”
“Tell me.”
“I’m bad for you, Caroline. I’m dragging you down an ugly road, and you’re liking it.”
“You’re not doing that to me.”
“I’m destroying you.”
