Finnian paced the little room Robert dumped him in. At least he was no longer cuffed. He couldn’t figure out why the bottom crease of his right ass cheek stung when he moved wrong.
Robert only said someone would be with him shortly. That seemed to have been hours ago. Of course, it was probably only an hour, but what the fuck was taking so much time?
He dropped onto the seat and jumped back up with a screech. His ass was really hurting. Slowly sitting back down, he closed his eyes.
The door opened and he looked up. A woman in a fitted red dress walked in, took a seat, and eyed him carefully. “I hear you’ve been running since your dance with trouble?”
A snort escaped. “You could call it that.”
Her dark eyes twinkled. “Why did you hide for eighteen years?”
“Bad people wanted me dead. At the time, I didn’t believe the Silver Council would be willing to help a leprechaun.”
“Ah, you aren’t all bad. Why wouldn’t we?” She leaned forward, a smile on her bright red lips. “We aren’t all elitists. I happen to prefer Fae over my kind.”
He leaned forward. “That so?”
“Mmm, now, I’m supposed to help you sort out your documentation so you can get back to your daughters?”
“That’s right. I miss them terribly and haven’t had a chance to reconnect.”
“We’ll get you on your way, unless you have time to spare tonight.”
“I could catch a flight in the morning.” Because there was no way in the abyss Robert would bring him back to Edenton.
“I offer an entertaining night.” She ran the tip of her tongue across her top lip.
“For an evening of good company and pleasure? I could be persuaded.” He reached across the table. “I’m Finnian Walsh.”
She took his hand and stared into his eyes. “Abigail Tormley. A pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m sure the pleasure is mine. Let’s finish up the documentation, and we’ll start with dinner. My treat. Seems you upset Robert a great deal and he was less than cordial with you.”
“He was an asshole. Preston was no better.”
“I’m sure it was some kind of misunderstanding. That happens sometimes. Give me an hour and we should be on our way.”
Something in her eyes said she wasn’t on their side. He wanted more of the story.
* * * *
A ringing phone pulled his attention from the woman writhing in pleasure beneath him. And if it wasn’t the very private line, he would have ignored the phone in favor of sex. “I’ll be back.” He pulled out, snatched the phone from the dresser, and left the woman hanging in the rope harness.
And if the welts faded from his lashes, he would enjoy bringing them back before finishing with her.
Once he was behind closed doors, he sealed in the sound and pressed talk. “Yes?”
“S-sir, I caught si-sight of Fi-Finnian Wa-Walsh.”
He rubbed at his forehead. “That’s not possible. Mercer killed him and his wife in Rome eighteen years ago.”
“Apparently not. It was definitely him in Sing Shack two nights ago. He was in Edenton just this morning. Stalking a woman who bears a resemblance to him.”
“Did you get her name?”
“No. I did not,” he whimpered. “I didn’t realize who she could be until she hurried out of the bar with a man. Finnian tried to follow her. I didn’t even recognize him at first. Like you, I believed he was dead.”
“And where is he now?”
“I have a seer working on that.”
Something Rory should have thought about all those years ago. Though he’d seen Finnian in the room with his wife before Mercer set it all ablaze. The authorities had found two charred corpses. One male, one female. Of course, with as fast as the firetrucks had arrived, Mercer legitimately couldn’t stay to ensure his work was done.
The question was, did he send Mercer to finish the job? Or did he go to ensure everything was done right? Most likely, he needed to be the one to ensure the job was finished. He’d seen the report about Finnian’s escape from HARP years ago. The bastard had been broken and come out luckier than ever before. It’s why he knew who the shit was when he robbed his casino blind. He should have known the lucky prick would make his way out.
And perhaps he should let it go. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to set a precedent for assholes to steal from him. No one went unpunished.
“Edenton you say? Any particular place?”
“A diner. The only diner there. He disappeared. Unfortunately, I don’t know where he is now, but I would imagine he’ll be back.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I’m able.”
“I hope to have more answers by then.”
“I’ll expect my home to be ready when I arrive.” He ended the call, put the phone down, and sat back. Anger flowed through his blood. Was he ready to go back to the woman waiting in the other room? Perhaps not. He needed to calm himself first. His goal wasn’t permanent damage, just enough pain to give her what she craved.