Page 13 of Sins of Innocence

"Yes."

"How do you suggest I support my family without a job?" I ask sarcastically.

As much as I would rather be using my degree, I still have to pay the bills and there are no well-paid office jobs dancing on my horizon.

"I will take care of it."

"You don't even know me," I yell, totally exasperated with this man and his edicts.

Go here. Do that.

Then what he's actually suggesting flashes like neon letters in my brain. "I am not going to become your mistress!"

"Calm down."

"What's there to be calm about?" I demand at even higher volume.

"I do not need a mistress."

Not looking like that, he doesn't. He probably has a different woman every night of the week.

Ugh. What is wrong with me?

Who cares if the monosyllabic hottie has a ton of girlfriends?

Not me.

Liar. That pesky inner voice exhibits just a little too much honesty again.

Kieran doesn't speak again for the rest of the drive and I don't bother asking any more questions I know he won't answer.

Do I want to know what he means by I will take care of it if he's not talking about making me his mistress? Yes. Do I want to know what is happening with my daughter? Yes times two!

Do I want to risk losing my cool again if his answers are as upsetting as the ones he's given me so far? Absolutely not.

My situation is way too precarious for me to give into emotions I usually keep under lock and key. Fear. Anger. Confusion.

There's no room for them in my life.

I'm a mom and a daughter. Keeping my daughters and mother safe is the most important thing. I can't afford to forget that.

But something about this man jimmies the lock and my only protection is not to interact.

Chapter three

The Past is NOT Repeating Itself

WRAITH

Áine has been silent since the mistress comment and I don't like it.

Most people piss me off when they don't stop talking, but I like her voice. I like how her little nose crinkles up when she's angry or confused. I like how she tries to hide her emotions but her expressive blue eyes won't let her, that thin circle of brown in the center growing and shrinking as her pupils shrink and dilate.

What I don't like? Is her assumption that I would expect her to give me sex in exchange for my help.

Okay, so I'm not a do gooder. I don't volunteer down at the soup kitchen, but donate enough to be on St. Cecilia's guest list for their annual fundraiser.

I don't go. My boss's boss does though. Wouldn't Brogan Shaughnessy be surprised to see one of his mob captains at one of those things?