Chapter One
The afternoon sun beat down through the window as Claire sank into the chair in the empty office. It hadn’t been long since her boss, Harriet Slone, had been ousted from her city council job for taking bribes. Charges hung over her as the police went through the immaculate records that Claire had collected. Of course, it didn’t hurt that this put Claire in the running for the new job or that her cousin Finn would be able to open all those clubs Harriet had been stonewalling, most likely at the behest of Ennis, Finn’s brother and now enemy.
She sighed and leaned back. Her long black hair slipped over the back of the chair, and she closed her eyes. Claire wondered how things would have gone if she had been closer with Ennis. Would she have been able to turn her back on the rest of the family and continue on with the life of crime that Ennis wanted? It wasn’t profitable in the long run, no matter what he and those other morons wanted to think, and it certainly wasn’t something she wanted to be involved with. Ennis was working with people who didn’t have even a hint of morals.
Human trafficking? The thought roiled her stomach. What, because they weren’t people they knew, it was okay? That wasn't just crossing a line. It was screaming past it in a Maserati.
Claire snorted. They could justify it however they wanted, but when they decided to get into bed with the Russians, they raised things to a level that was no longer just a matter of one-on-one thug fighting. This was bringing the fight to the people, and she was certain the people would fight back. She’d rather be on the side of the people.
Not bothering to open her eyes, Claire brought up her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose. All the shit had given her a headache. After weeks, weariness had seeped into her bones. Sleep didn’t come as easy anymore. She worried about the blow-back from not only taking Harriet out, but the showdown between Finn and Ennis over Alyssa, Finn's fiancee. It was like the entire city was holding its breath, or maybe the situation just seemed that way because she was in the middle of all of it.
Finn could say what he wanted, Alyssa was sure Ennis was looking for something more than just to piss off his baby brother. It wasn’t all that crazy to think that he might be lonely.
Claire's pale green eyes blinked open, and she stared at the ceiling. To think of the charming man as vulnerable to anything seemed so strange. As much as Finn likely didn’t want to think it, he was really the most like their father, tall, handsome and wide across in the shoulders. Despite his best efforts, he could still have the worst temper. She’d never seen him be as ruthless as his father, but she supposed that he was never really pushed to the edge. The real question was, could he be?
Claire sighed and sat back up. It was just one giant fucked-up family, especially adding in Liam and his mother's rape that made him a half-brother to Ennis and Finn. It’s like these men didn’t even have a chance at a normal life.
The cell on the desk buzzed and lit up. She jumped to answer it.
FINN flashed across the screen.
“Yeah,” she said into the phone.
“Well, hello to you too,” Finn said, his voice smooth over the phone.
Claire rolled her eyes and leaned back into the chair. She propped her feet up on the table.
“I’m busy,” she said. “Some of us have to actually work for a living.”
She swore she could hear the frown over the line and nearly snickered.
“I work plenty,” he said. She could hear him shift in irritation. “You know I put in my time at the club.”
This time she did laugh. It was so easy to make him agitated with so very little effort.
“Yeah, yeah.” She smiled. “So, is this what you called about? To tell me how hard you work?”
“No,” he said. It was all business now. “Has he been in?”
Claire stiffened in her seat. She knew who he meant. They were all waiting to hear something from Conor and his sister Teagan. After the dramatic way he had left, she’d be surprised if they ever heard from him again. At least, not in a personal way. He’d made his choice and joined Ennis.
“No,” she said coolly. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t forgive him for his betrayal.
“Claire,” Finn sighed. “I don’t think there was much of a choice.”
She slapped her hand on the desk. “There’s always a choice.”
There was silence for a few moments before he spoke.
“Things are never that simple,” he said and again grew quiet.
Claire couldn’t help but wonder what he knew.
“Doctor Richards said that Teagan stopped getting treatment from him. I have to think this has to do with her,” Finn said.
She frowned and shook her head.
“He should have come to you,” she said. “You would have helped him.”
“Yes,” he said and sighed. “He’s proud. I don’t know how much help he would have taken. Ennis had no problem capitalizing on that.”
She tensed for a moment. She knew all too well about Conor’s pride. A mix of anger and sadness boiled up, an emotional memory from years ago. She pushed it aside to concentrate on Finn.
Claire drummed her nails on the desk. “So, what makes you so certain he’ll come?”
After a moment of silence, he said “Just a hunch. You have history.”
Claire snorted. “Yeah, not very good history.”
“Good enough that he watches for you,” he said. She swallowed her response. “I don’t know what went down between you two, but it’s clear to everyone that you have history. One that he’s not willing to walk away from. We can use that.”
She chewed her bottom lip. This was about the last thing she wanted.
“What do I need to do?” she said.
“Nothing,” he said. “If Conor comes to you, you do nothing.”
Her mouth dropped. “Nothing?”
“Nothing,” he said. “You keep him talking, and you get him to come back.”
“But what if it’s a setup?”
“Oh, it likely will be. I’m sure of it.”
She swiveled in her seat at the knock at the door. Her manager, Anna, walked in and took a seat.
“You know you’re insane, right?” She held up her finger to indicate it would be a minute.
Finn laughed in her ear. “I know,” he said. “You just keep open the line of communication, and let me know at first contact. We can make this work.”
“What are you planning on doing?” she asked quietly into the phone.
The air seemed to still around her, and she knew it seemed sinister, but she had to know.
“It will be fine,” he said, his voice eerily calm. “We’re going to get them back.”
She sat, slightly surprised for a moment. He really was nothing like his father. Claire smiled into the phone.
“I hope so,” she said and shut the phone.
“Please tell me you were talking to that yummy cousin of yours.” Anna grinned at her. Her long blond hair hung in a perfect pony tail.
Claire rolled her eyes. “Like you have eyes for anyone other than Jason.”
“I love my husband,” Anna said, leaning in. Her clear blue eyes never failed to draw Claire in. Anna winked at her. “But that doesn’t mean I’m blind.”
Claire smiled. She liked Anna from the moment they had started working together two years ago. Harriet had never seen her full potential, but Claire certainly did. The woman had an eye for marketing, which was gold in Claire’s book. As soon as things went south with their boss, she hired Anna to help with the campaign.
“Just finished the posters we talked about, and I’ve also booked some air time for you.” Anna looked down at her phone. They were back in business mode.
“You think I’m ready for air time?”
Anna looked up from the phone. “You handled the press conference with going public fine. Besides, this is an easy piece. The one doing the questions is known for puff pieces. It’s a good one to cut your teeth on.”
Claire nodded. She needed to get her face out there. The general public were a fickle bunch, after all.
“I’ve also signed us up for a charity event,” Anna said. “A gala.”
Claire stilled. She hated these things and avoided them at all costs. Everything about them seemed so fake. Then again, she wanted to go into politics.
“You can quit making that face,” Anna said. “It’s for the zoo and will be a chance to hobnob with all the people you need in your pocket.”
“You know I hate these things.” She let out a long sigh.
“Suck it up, buttercup,” Anna said. “You need this. Although I could stare at your cute cousin's ass all day, he isn’t making matters any better. It’s amazing the press hasn’t pounced more on the connection as is.”
Claire peeked over at her friend. She had avoided the talk about her cousin's job, head of the local Irish mob, but it was clear that Anna was already in the know, not that it was exactly a huge secret.
“Oh, please.” Anna rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest. Claire always loved that Anna took the same care that she did to make herself as professional as possible. “Did you really think I could live in this town and not know who Finn Kelly is?”
Claire sat up to look Anna in the eye. This was one of those do or die moments.
“And?”
Anna sighed. “And his association with you isn’t going to help you, even with your help in taking down Harriet.”
“But I’m clean. I’ve never even had a speeding ticket.” Claire slapped her hand on the desk.
“Exactly,” Anna said. “Which only sounds even more suspicious to everyone else. ‘What’s she hiding?’ and all that.”
Claire cut through the air with her hand. “That’s bullshit.”
“It is,” Anna said. “But that’s just the way it is. And that’s why you’re going to the charity event. This is going to be the first, but it’s not going to be the last. Get used to it.”
Claire wrinkled her nose. “Fine.”
She could see that Anna wanted to say something else but seemed to stop.
“Out with it,” Claire said.
Anna looked at her phone for a moment, as if it might give her some answer.
“Well,” she started. “You’ll need a dress.”
Claire nodded and waited.
“And a date.” She cringed.
Claire waved a hand. “I’ll just bring one of my cousins,” she said.
Anna cleared her throat. “Not really the best way to show you’re on the up and up by showing up with one of the goons of a mob boss.”
Claire snorted. “Goons?”
Anna waved a hand. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, okay.” Claire nodded. “I’ll get a real date.”
Anna sighed.
“Good,” she said. “Now go get some rest. You look like you haven’t slept in weeks.”
Claire ran a nervous hand over her face. There was no just looking like she hadn't slept. She really hadn’t slept in weeks. With everything that had been going on, she was either too spun up or too nervous to sleep for more than a few hours. The idea that the Russians might be out there, waiting for their chance to do something, sent chills down her spine. No matter how Finn tried to spin it, none of them were safe, not as long as Boris was around.
Just the thought of his name made her stomach cramp. Ever since the day he stepped off the plane, they had all been living in fear. Claire never thought she’d say it, but she actually wished that Viktor was back in charge instead of this distant cousin. At least with Viktor, she knew what she was getting.
“Better the devil you know,” she mumbled.
“What was that?” Anna asked, snapping Claire from her thoughts.
She smiled at her. “I think I am tired,” she said and stood. “Maybe I’ll head home a little early tonight. You good?”
Anna stood with her and glanced at her phone. “Jason should be here soon.”
Claire stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “He working late again?”
“Big proposal here in a few months. I’ll be glad when it’s all over. He’s been working so hard, and when we are together, he’s just so grumpy.”
Claire walked over and patted her arm. “I’m sure it won’t be long. If he wants to make partner in the future, I’m sure this is just one of those things he has to do.”
Anna looked up and gave a weak smile. For the first time, Claire could see the toll that this was having on her.
“Sure you want to wait here?” she asked, not really sure where she was going with the idea. “Maybe you could come with me.”
Anna shook her head. “I’m good,” she said. “Besides, I’ve got a mountain of work to get done before Jason gets here.”
Claire hesitated. It was still light outside, and there was little chance that Anna would be targeted. “Okay, but anything funny, you call the cops.”
Anna waved a hand in the air, and Claire wondered how much the woman really believed about the whole thing. Knowing someone was trouble and seeing it in action were often two very different things. The best thing she could hope was that Anna never saw her family in action.
She picked up her purse and made her way to the door and stopped. “Hear any news about Harriet?”
Anna shook her head. “Not much. Prosecution is being pretty tight-lipped about this.”
Claire smirked. “I bet they are,” she said.
“We might be able to avoid testifying, since they have all that documentation, but there are no guarantees of that.”
“I know, but too many people could put their hands in this and screw the whole thing up.”
“I think that’s the last thing any of us want,” Anna ground out. She, most of all, had reason to be angry after all those years doing Harriet's busywork, taking her shit and then coming to find out that she was dirty. It wasn’t just a slap in the face. It was like she’d drug her through the mud as well.
Claire nodded. She was lucky to have someone so loyal to the idea of doing good on her side.
“See you in the morning,” she said and left for home.