ChapterEight
Ronan couldn’t believe he was considering this. Everything was getting blown way the fuck out of proportion. He shouldn’t be trying to tell Chloe what to do. If he’d learned anything about women, it was that making demands like that simply ensured she was going to do the opposite. He might just kick Brendan’s ass for going along with this.
Chloe raised her hand and called a waitress over to get another round. Ronan looked at her. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Didn’t we just cover that I can do whatever the fuck I want? You don’t have to stay.”
Brendan chuckled.
“Shut up.”
“What should I be looking for with the Cahills? Danny comes in every day, but Alan doesn’t. He’s only with Danny a couple times a week.”
“Danny’s never suspicious on his own?” Brendan asked.
“Mom said Danny and Dad hadn’t been friends,” Ronan said. “Did Danny even know Dad?”
Although Brendan was only a year older, he’d worked more weekend jobs with Dad, and he’d spent the summer working for the Cahills after Dad had gone missing.
Brendan shrugged. “I remember Danny hanging around sometimes, but he never worked the jobs. And when he showed up, the crew was more irritated than anything. They didn’t like him, but I don’t know why. I was too young to know what to ask or where to look.”
“Alan doesn’t trust you, Ronan. He not only wants Danny to fire you, but he said if he sees any problem, he’ll blacklist you. You’ll never work construction again.”
The waitress dropped off their beers, and Chloe drank quickly.
“That might’ve been a threat back in the days when the union was strong. All he can do is keep me from working with the big union outfits. There are a ton of non-union guys doing just fine. Someone always needs work done. I’m the last person you need to worry about.”
She reached over and wrapped her cool fingers around his forearm. “He wasn’t playing. It wasn’t just being irritated by Danny like he was when you got the promotion. He’s worried about you. About you digging. Which now I understand he thinks you’re looking for information about your dad.” She took another swig of beer. “Which means they’re hiding something.”
She’d arrived at the same place he and Brendan had before this little drinking session. Which was why he was worried about her involvement.
“What do you think they did?” she said quietly, the serious nature of the topic finally hitting her.
“We don’t know. Things were different back then. A lot more political wheeling and dealing. A lot more people looking the other way when shady shit was happening,” Brendan said.
“Oh my God!” she said, sitting up straight. “You think they’re Irish mob.”
“I didn’t say any such thing,” Brendan said, finishing his first beer. The man drank slow. “What I will say is that you need to do nothing more than listen. And then, only when it’s not obvious. If Cahill gets suspicious, he’ll stop talking at the Rose. With that, I’m going to say good night.” He rose and tossed some money on the table.
“You’re my ride, asshole.”
“I’m sure Chloe can take you home. That’ll give you two the chance to work out whatever this is,” Brendan waved his hand between them, “so that you’re not snarling at each other every time we talk. Fuck or fight. Do something.”
Then the asshole turned and left. Again, he heard the echo of Chloe’s words, Fuck me. His throat went dry so he gulped some beer. Now that he focused, he could smell the scent of her perfume. It made him want to bury his nose in her neck.
“Brendan agrees with me.”
“What?” He spun his head to look at her.
“Even he thinks we should sleep together.”
Ronan closed his eyes on a groan.
“What’s the big deal, Ronan? We’re attracted to each other.” She slid her hand on his thigh. “It could be a lot of fun.” Her fingers inched up the inseam on his jeans.
He slapped his hand on hers. “You don’t want a relationship with me.”
“You’re right. I don’t do relationships anymore. I mean, I suppose if the perfect man dropped in my lap, I might give it a go. But I’ve learned that there is no such thing as the perfect guy.” She flexed her fingers on his leg. “In the meantime, I like to have fun with whoever strikes my interest. And you always have.”
It was the second time tonight that he was led to believe she always had a thing for him. He set his beer down. “What do you mean by always?”
Her eyes narrowed. “As long as I’ve known you, I’ve thought you were hot.” She smirked.
“Earlier tonight, Brendan said that even when you were dating him, you were looking at me.”
“That’s not true. Sure, I had a crush on you then. If you had asked me out, I would’ve wanted to go out with you. But Brendan was safe.”
“Why not hit on him now, then?”
“I’m not into him.” She pulled her hand off his leg and he missed her heat. “What’s wrong?”
“Seems weird that you’re suddenly hitting on me. When we were teenagers, you walked around like you were afraid of me. And you dated my brother. I don’t think I could have the same woman he has.”
Chloe burst into laughter. “Oh my God. You’re such a man. Brendan and I never had sex. We kissed. Never even made it to second base.”
Kissed and she’d thought she was in love? Teenage girls. Go figure.
“Don’t look at me like that. I was sixteen. He made me feel special. And when I looked at you, it was more awe than fear. Well, maybe a little fear. You were big and mean and powerful. But I never felt unsafe around you. More than anything, I wanted to soothe you.”
He took a pull on his beer. “Soothe the savage beast?”
“More like comfort the hurting boy.”
“I’m no boy anymore and I don’t need comfort.”
“We all need comfort sometimes.” She nudged his arm. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
He slid from the booth and waited for her to join him. “I can call a car.”
“I don’t mind driving you. Maybe you can invite me in for a nightcap and show me around your place.”
“That sounds like an invitation for trouble.”
“Are you saying you can’t control yourself around me?” she snickered.
That was exactly what he was worried about.