Page 82 of Ruthless Dream

“The meeting with Wallen is set for next week.”

He’s not stopped talking about it.

“You’re going to be ready for it?” he asks.

“You know I will be.”

A giant grin is plastered across his lips. It should be infectious. “We’re going to go back to Dublin like kings.”

Cormac is proud, but he usually limits his smugness. The months here are paying off, though.

“Steady on,” I joke. That's what he tells me when I start to get a big head.

He laughs into his drink, his eyes widening when he spots my phone.

I lift the device, staring at the name flashing across the screen.

After I’d hacked Adeline’s phone, I’d programmed important numbers into mine.

Which is why I know it’s Gia Akatov calling.

Cormac nods, telling me to pick it up.

“Mrs. Akatov,” I say, trying for something respectful.

She gags. “Ew, God. Why did you say it like that? Mrs. Akatov?”

Her disgust is shown via sarcasm, a move that reminds me of Adeline.

“Good lord, I’m not eighty, you know. No, call me Gia, you understand?”

I begin pacing, my uncle’s eyes hot on my back. I’m unable to stay still.

“I understand,” I say.

“Good. How are you? Are you okay?”

“I’m doing well. Is Adeline all right?”

“Have you not talked to her?” she tests.

“It’s typically worrisome when the mother of your girlfriend calls.”

She hums under her breath. “Are you used to getting bad news when people call?”

“Most of the time, yes,” I admit. Workwise, it hasn’t been so bad lately. But when it’s Nora, Ian, or my da? There’s no telling what type of problem I’ll encounter.

Gia makes another indistinct noise. “I hope I never call you with bad news. No, I wanted to check in on you. I haven’t heard from you.”

Up until three days ago, we’d never talked. Not once. The two occasions we’d had a chance to, she’d turn her nose up.

Adeline’s food poisoning has changed things. I thought my flat would have alarmed Gia. It’s too small and too cheap, too. . . Ciaran O’Connell. But Gia is friendly as she speaks.

It sounds like she’s moving around, wherever she is. Staying busy as she talks, another thing that reminds me of Adeline. Unless she’s reading or studying, she’s got to move around as she chats.

“Come over for dinner on Saturday so we can see you.”

My brows hit my hairline.