But I remembered seeing a young teenage girl once when I was round the O’Rourkes. Small, skinny. Long dark hair. Scared. Bloodshot eyes, looking tired and fed up.
No shit. Well, she ain’t a little girl anymore, that's for sure.
“So you’re telling me that the hottest girl in this town used to date the guy I’m gonna be taking down? Goldie O’Hanlan told me Conall boy is back and means business.” It was my turn to take a gulp of beer, cursing my luck. I shook my head in disbelief.
Lucas nodded at me thoughtfully. “I thought so. Seemed to me that was the only way this meth was re-appearing everywhere at once. He’s laid low, let things quiet down. Now he’s cornering the meth market in town, street by street. There’s been disappearances, changes in allegiances. Hell, I’ve seen sworn enemies working the same corners.
“Thing is, Eden had dirt on him. She shoulda talked, but was too afraid. Conall must have scared her shitless. Hate to think what he did to her, threatened her with.” Lucas grimaced.
“If I wasn’t a cop I would have killed him myself.” He looked down at his glass, thoughtfully. I sensed that an old regret had surfaced within Lucas. That he had demons of his own.
“Listen to me, Lucas. You did the right thing. You go around, start killing people who piss you off? You’re no better than them. That’s why you joined the force. You’re one of the good guys.”
He looked up at me, nodding gratefully.
I laughed, winking at him. “Fuck it, I’m still gonna chat her up. Conall or no Conall O’Rourke. I’m gonna ask her out.”
Maybe I can look after her. Help her out if Conall comes back to visit, if he ain’t already. If she’s got no-one, she might be scared shitless. I’m not gonna let Conall hurt her a second time.
Plus I really wanna see what’s under those tight clothes she’s wearing...
EIGHT
Eden
My mood started to lift immediately as soon as Cindy told me Jack was a cop, a detective at that. I felt the relief loosen my tight chest, and I started to breathe normally, worry evaporating. I found myself furtively looking his way every now and then, seeing if he was looking back at me.
I glanced his way again to find him staring back at me. I smiled. There was an unreadable expression on his face, a glint in his eye. Our eyes locked for a long moment, and Jack grinned back at me.
Wow, he looks even hotter when he smiles. Nice teeth.
Our moment was ruined by Lucas, who was waving at me with an inane grin on his face. I started, and turned away, face flushing at the feeling of desire rising within me.
I walked over to pour out another beer for one of the regulars whose glass was empty. I felt Cindy brush past me.
“That’s more like it, girl,” she whispered as she tapped me playfully on the butt.
I gasped with mock indignation, mouth wide and frowning at her.
I slapped her on the ass as she bent down to grab a glass from the fridge behind me. The regulars laughed enthusiastically.
Cindy was smiling as she took the bottle to a customer. She blew me a kiss.
I passed the filled glass to the regular. Cindy turned to face me when she’d finished serving her customer.
“Your boyfriend’s back.” She nodded behind me. “Or do you want me to serve him this time?”
I pushed her gently in the stomach as I turned toward Jack, flicking my hair absently over my shoulder.
He had his hands on the bar, large, strong hands. Well-manicured. Muscles tensed, accentuating his triceps and shoulders. He was looking my way, a glint in his slightly wide eyes as he studied me.
I walked over, swaying my hips gently as I approached. I leaned against my side of the bar. We were less than a couple feet away. I looked up at him, my head slightly to one side.
I could smell his manly aftershave, mixed with sweat and the musty tang of leather.
“Hey, mister,” I said sweetly, in my best husky voice. “What can I do for you?”