Page 18 of A Merciless Husband
I can’t help but let out a small laugh, even if I feel a bit bad since it’s my suitcase they’re talking about. “Sorry, it’s books.”
Both men turn to see me and light up at the sight. “Ah! It’s Miss Amy!” Liam grins as he lifts my suitcase up like it’s suddenly as light as a feather. “Good to see you again. So, the boss told us everything is to be brought to his room, eh?” Hewiggles his eyebrows at me in what I’m pretty sure is supposed to be a suggestive manner.
Jack smacks his arm. “Stop it. Leave the poor girl alone.”
Liam rubs his arm and pouts like it actually hurt him, when Jack barely hit him. “Aw, but it’s just so fun to do! And she’s our friend now anyway, right? What’s a bit of teasing between friends?”
Friends?Is that how these guys view me? Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell when someone is beingfriendlyversus them actually thinking we’refriends.I can’t help but smile at the proclamation.
Jack scoffs and shakes his head. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be considerate of her feelings. She’s been through a lot this week, you dope. We don’t need to add humiliation to that list because of your big mouth.”
“Aw, c’mon, Jackie boy, I’m just havin’ a bit of fun?—”
“Liam,” Jack’s voice comes out rough and firm. “It’s none of our business. Let it go.”
My eyebrows raise at the standoff happening before me. Something tells me that this argument really isn’t about me at all, it goes a lot deeper than that, and I’m not privileged to know what’s really going on here. Like Jack just said, it’s none of my business.
After an awkward moment of them staring at each other, facing off like two rams for dominance, they finally seem to figure things out because they both turn to me with a smile. Liam looks brighter than the midday sun. “All right, then, love, sorry about that. Shall we get your stuff settled in and get you some lunch, hm?”
I take a deep breath and nod with a smile.
I can do this, this new life. I can settle in, find a place here, make a home. Just as soon as Ihavea place here and know what the hell is going on between Kerry and I. And if I could also havesome reassurance that my best friend is okay, I might actually be able to rest.
10
Kerry
Itake a deep breath before I open the door to my office. A sacred space for me, one of the two places in this house where I actually spend time. The rest of the house is all just for show. Amy’s reaction to it still makes me chuckle. She obviously noticed how cold and lifeless the place is, it’s not like I really try to hide it. But she tried to be polite anyway, and I can’t help but adore her for it.
I tamper down my humor and switch my mindset to business as I enter my office. Sitting in one of the leather seats for guests is what I can only call arefined gentleman.Pressed blue suit, black hair perfectly trimmed and arranged, a glimmering silver watch on his wrist, shiny leather oxfords on his feet. I know, without a doubt, who this is.
A feckin’ Englishman.But, he’s part of the Nameless, so I can’t just shoot him on principle, sadly.
“Kensington, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.”
The man stands and turns with a calmness that tells me he knew I was there. Considering he’s a hitman for the Nameless, I’m not surprised in the slightest.
There’s streaks of silver on the sides of his black hair, giving him an old money appearance. “Ah. Alasdair. Yes, we’vecommunicated before but never actually met in person.” He holds his hand out for me to shake, which I accept. “I heard you’ve been having some issues as of late. I’m sorry to hear that.”
The back of my neck prickles with the need to tell him to feck off and mind his own business, but I know he’s here to help, so I resist the urge. “You’ve helped everyone in the Nameless countless times, one way or another. I’m happy to return the favor however I can.”
The man knows how to disarm and charm, I have to give the fecking Englishman that. He makes it sound like I’m simply receiving what’s owed to me, not that he’s doing me any favors or being charitable. He’s soothing my defensiveness. I don’t like it.
“I appreciate your help,” I force myself to say and gesture to the chair he was sitting in earlier. “Please, have a seat. Let’s talk.” I round my desk and sit behind it, facing Kensington. Air rushes into my lungs as I take a deep breath, reminding myself that this ismyoffice, my home, my issues.I’mthe one in control here. I steeple my fingers together and lean back. “You arrived faster than I could’ve thought. I just contacted De Matteis before my flight here. There’s a few…situations at hand.”
Kensington crosses his legs, looking like he’s having drinks after work more than mulling over any sort of life or death matters. Yet, I know he’ll uphold his side of the deal and get shit done. “Yes, well, you know how serious we take these matters. I was in England, so it was a much shorter flight for me. I believe the matters we have to discuss are Lily Morin and then Lorenzo De Matteis, yes?”
I let my hands drop to my lap and lean forward, eyes narrowed. “That’s correct. Does it look like they’re connected?”
Kensington stares up at the paneled ceiling of my office, contemplating my question. I know he’s taking a moment to formulate his words to present them to me carefully. “Possibly. It seems…complicated.”
I arch a brow, waiting for him to continue.
He inhales for a moment. “You know, we English usually have a drink in hand for discussions like this.”
“Well, I’m not feckin’ English, am I?” I say gruffly. Not that the Irish don’t love any excuse to drink, but I wasn’t inclined to give him one just because of hisEnglish sensibilities.
Kensington laughs, the bastard. “No, you certainly arenot.Very well. No drink, then. As I said, it’s complicated. I will start with this: you were correct to believe Lily Morin has mafia connections that come from her paternal family line. Her father is a low-level grunt in Russia, coming from a long line of crime lords there. In fact, he worked ashisfather’s enforcer and helped him rule Moscow with an iron grip. However, the leadership skill did not get passed down. Instead, he’s an addict. Alcohol, gambling, whatever he can get his hands on. He left the honor code that we usually live by.”
