Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Leaving her at the entrance, I move deeper into the room and crouch down. The body of Father Donahue is unmoving. And when I reach for his pulse point, I feel nothing. Someone killed him, and I have a feeling I know who it is.
A gasp of surprise behind me has me shooting to my feet. I turn to find Miren, hand on mouth, tears streaming down her face as she looks at the old man.
“Is… Is… Is he dead?”
I nod. There’s no reason to hide it anymore. “Unfortunately.”
Slowly, Miren falls to her knees, and a sob of agony falls from her perfectly plump lips. I tell myself I didn’t notice them, I didn’t truly examine every inch of her that I could, but it would be a lie. I did, and I don’t know why.
“You need to be honest with me,” I tell her, causing her to look up through wet lashes.
Her lower lip wobbles. “What do you mean?”
“Is Donahue yer uncle?”
For a long, silent minute, I’m pretty sure she’s about to nod, but then she says, “No. He’s an honest man who didn’t deserve this.”
The anger in her voice has me watching her reaction. If she’s not his daughter, then there’s something she’s still hidin’. Perhaps I should keep her around. More time will allow me to learn who she really is.
First things first, I need to call Sergeant O’Malley. And then I’m going to take Miren home, let her work for us, and have Tye dig into her past. Those secrets need to be uncovered, and when they are, I’ll make her pay for her lies.
NINE
MIREN
I follow Callia around the club. It’s not too busy yet, but the few club members that are here have girls on their laps with drinks in their hands. Thankfully, I’m able to observe before I start a shift.
“This is the main bar,” she tells me as we reach the centre of the room.
It’s got a wall filled with bottles of spirits, along with glasses, and shelving that’s illuminated in a soft purple. The counter is dark wood, a veneer that shimmers under the low lights. It’s not what I expected to find. When someone says strip club, the immediate image that comes to mind is a dingy dive. But this is elegant.
Opposite the bar are round tables, with soft cushioned seating, and a large stage that looks like it’s been created for a band. There’s a pole smack dab in the centre, and it’s the only evidence of what this place is. The waitresses are all dressed in black shorts and figure-hugging tees. However, they aren’t showing off anything more than you’d see if they walked by you on the pavement.
“This is…” I look over at Callia who’s currently assessing me. I’m not sure what to say.
This place is really nice. Even the clientele who are seated at the tables overlooking the stage are respectful. They may be shouting out whoops and get on, ye lassie but they’re not grabbing at the girls.
“Not what you expected from a bunch of bikers?” Callia laughs when I nod slowly. “Told ya, yer man, Monster, is sound. Most of the eejits who walk in here are thrown out on their arses.”
“I just didn’t think it would be so…” I’m not sure what to say.
“Classy?”
“Yes,” I mumble, and Callia laughs again before taking my hand and leading me over to the bar.
“You’re welcome to sit back here and enjoy the night. Drinks are on the club, but don’t get too drunk. Monster doesn’t approve.”
When I look at her, I notice a glint in her eye, but it’s gone before I can ask what she means. She offers me a wave, and I know her shift starts soon, so I order a Coke and settle in. I observe the two girls who are currently on the stage. They finish up their routine just as another performer steps onto the platform. I can’t deny she’s beautiful.
Once I’m settled at the corner of the bar, I watch as the club gets busier. But my focus isn’t on what’s happening in the room, it’s on the three men who enter shortly after another group of dancers start their routine on stage. Monster Rebel, and Sully saunter in. They’re in charge, there’s no question about it. Monster takes a front row seat, and even though I’m nothing to him and he’s nothing to me, I can’t help the shiver of resentment that courses through me.
Jealousy rears its ugly head when one of the girls offers him a smile. I don’t recognise her from the club, but it’s clear she’s got her eye on the man in charge. She drops to her knees, toying with him as she wiggles around on the smooth, shiny stage. When she rolls over onto her back, she spreads her legs wide, and offers Monster a clear view of the apex between her thighs.