She hid her clenched hands under the quita.

There was wenom

was wenom in berryn.

Lam sped to Cedarwood Mansion after leaving Sunglade

He parked the Bentley under a big parasol free in the yard, climbed out, and lit uparigarette..

The yard was quiet as the grave.

The old Master McCarthy loaded insects and any form of wildlife

He kept a full-time exterminator on the payroll to get rid of any and all critters that were pot hunnan.

Liam leaned against the bonnet and stared up at the second-floor bedroom with its windows open.

He tossed the cigarette button the grass and crushed it with his heel.

It the old man saw this, he was going to be pissed.

Which was why Liam did it

Sebastian hurried forward to greet him when Liam entered the house. 'Young Master Liam, welcome home."

Liam changed into a pair of house slippers. The old man's home?"

"Master McCarthy is in the study upstairs.'

"What's he doing?

"Um, I'm not supposed to pry into the master's private affairs."

her

"Did he say he didn't want to be disturbed?"

*Then get out of my way.'

The housekeeper bowed slightly and stepped aside.

Liam bounded up the stairs.

He pushed open the door of the study and strolled inside.

Henry McCarthy was bent over a massive desk, writing something,

Though he still maintained the ramrod posture from his youth, his face was deeply lined and there were heavy bags under his eyes.

He was fifty years old going on saty.

He looked up and scowled. "Where are your mares? Knock before you come in

Liam ter over to the desk

Heleased formed, put libtbands on the desk and stared down this father. "Deborah's still alive a

Berrystowed to visible reaction What tense are you talking about?

"You staged lier death, then you see her out at the country, where she's been living for the past seven years. True or false? Henry set down the black Louis Vuitton Cargo fountain pen. "Who told your this?"

Does it matter? just want to know - why?!

Henry end back in his leather chair.

Liam's Interogative tour displeased him. "You've sember, then?

Otherwise, huwimild Lian know Deloral was stul alive?

This meant they man tuust belark in Stamford

Honey had desmissed the woman from his mind the moment he got her on a plane out of the evantry.

souple et mens to keep an eye on her, but eventually, he lost interest.

When one of his men called to inform him Deborah was gone, Henry had been stiprised but not concrmed.

Debouch Connell was a wothan.

she was weak of mind and et will

She had not a penny to her name.

She would not last a week on the men streets of FI Hwie.

Henry was comenced Deborah would eventually, in a body bag.

But it seemed that he had underestimated the wonsan.

Liam saw the prose look on Henry's tace and clenched has

The old man let him believe he was directly responsible to Dehoch's death.

Henry had used that excuse to send him out of the country, where he had to tend to himself and lead a lonely existence

"What exactly did she tell you? Henry asked. '1 assume she's the one who told you I sent her away. Anything else else? Liam shot back

Is there supposed to be something else "You tell me

're not surprised at all by the news. You knew she'd be back sooner or later."

"She's an a

She's capable of making her own decisions."

212

"Why did you take her death seven years ago?

she was getting too greedy. I was fine with it if Austyn or you just wanted a fling with her. Both of you were young men. I can understand. But she wanted to have both of my sons wrapped around her lile finger. She wanted the title of Mrs McCarthy. That, I cannot tolerate Lizm cocked erebrow. "If she's not worth to many into the McCarthy family, what about Kita Hewitt? You allowed Austyn to marry her

The wakes in Hystorehead moved I have my reasons.

La scrutinised the old man's face tot clues, but it was inscrutable.

What reasons could he have?

What was so special about Kira that Henry would tolerate her marriage to Austyn?

It's late. Henry said. "You should stay here for tonight. Come with me to visit your mother tomorrow."

Liam's back stiffened

He stepped back. "My mother's death is stall unverged You, the man who supposedly loved her, did nothing. You don't have the right to visit her grave. "Liam, watch your tone!

"If I want to visit her, I'll go on mewn I don't need you there

He spun on tus heel and lett

Henry watched him

His second son had grown into an adult-tall, strong, and insubordinate.

Henry drummed a finger on the desk

A while later he made a call 'Sebastian"

The majordomacare up quickly. Yes, Master McCarthy."

Deborah Connelly's back in Stamford. On find out where she's staying. I want to law who she's been talking to Find her. Bring her to e Yes, Master McCarthy

Mr McStrany

Tin so sorry for keeping poucher,' Kita sad, feeling contille.

Mehudheen vocaught up liberowariations.

By the time she stopped crying, she was shocked to discoveri I was almost midnight

tilana patiently shaped by her side

The last bois felt healtankoirapu

The two of them soonil by the side of i

the mad, waiting for a taxi

She was also feeling guilty,

If she hadn't called stain the hospital, none of this would have haqqried.

A blackstercedes polled up next to them.

Thediver's side wiradow rolled down "Kira'

Kira had to move closer to make out the man's face.

Cidroid

What was he do here?

Gasanudged her arm. "Who's that?"Text content © .

ardhe was staring at Kina willinlvinnallertiku

'Come on 'Graciela hold of clansa'shund

She started walking away from the car.

codean got out of the rar and taglit up with them inanimdant.

He stood in front of tura, blocking her path. "Get in the cat." dana, sensing the weird vibe between the two, kept quiet.

cadean smiled. "I have something to tell you Tuani intrested"

Kira's heart skipped a brat,

She squerond itilana's hand without realising it

Glanahissed in pain

"It's late, "Giton said. "There's no tax stand here. You could be waiting for hours. Besides-he tilted his chin towards Glana-Do you want to make your friend Kiraknew he had a point.

It was one thing for her to keepher distance from Gideon, but she shouldn't mean suffer with her.

without a word, she turned around and headed for the car

Gidron smiled

He got in the driver's seat and started the car

His hand on the stering wheel was steady

The ride was silent.

The roads were day completely empty a

Antecasional ambulance sped past, its lights flashing and shen blaring:

Glama sat in the barlorat with Kita and surreptition cherket out the driver

Helsoked to beintier Uheer prats older clam Bir

Clared how Kitacame to kina sucli aman.

She tauenstler phone and started typing.

Ian Jonkedupattana, who painted to be plane a

daruntadent als about an

Who's the Mr McSteamy? the text trad

Kira didn't know what to say.

Half a minute Later, her phone vibrated again.

"Come on, spil!!"

"Afriend." Kira typed.

'Like I'd believe that." Glana emphasised her point with an emoji, a face with rolling eyes.

Kira shot backan emoji face without a mouth

"Come on I'm your best friend. You can tell me anything. Who is he?'

'The misspent youth.'

'ch, ex-BF then?

Kica sent her a check mark

Glama semiked.

Then she cleared her throat and looked at the man. "Um, Mister.

"Gideon Gamer."

"Hello, Mr Gamer, where are you taking us?"

"How about a late dinner?!

It was way past the time for dinner, but Glana was starving.

she had to last for ablood test today

'That sounds like a great ideal

21

Kira pinched Cana's band. 'I'm not hungry, past tell me what you have to say. You can drop us at the junction ahead."

'So I'm just a chauffeur? Gideon glanced at her from the rearview mirror

'I can pay you."

"You know that's not what I want

Kira pursed her lips

'Come on, it's just dinner. Your friend here seems to be all for it'

Gana shrugged sheepishly.

'know a place that's still open it serves the best hotplate stingray'

diana put both palms together, pleading. It sounds delicious. Kira, please?"

The carslowed at a red light.

'I can let you out here if you still want to leave, Gideon said. "I won't stop you."

Kiragritted herteeth

She was in two minds.

She wanted to stay away from Gideon, but she was dying to know what he had to say about Austyn.

It did cross her mind that maybe Gideon was lying to her, maybe he had nothing to say..

Bot Austyn and Gideon appeared to go way back

Maybe Gideon knew things about Austyn that she didn't

Kira hated that she still cared about Austyn, despite what she saw back at the hospital.

She remained seated.

Gideon smiled.

The light turned green.

The Mercedes rolled forward.

They were soon at the place Garou mentioned

It wasn't a greasy spoonlike Kiraimagined, but a proper restaurant with an imposing-looking awning.

i was still doing brisk business at midnight.

A valet jogged up and opened the door for the two women.

Gideon spoke to the malted, who led them into a private room with maroon coloured wallpaper and chairs with velvet customs.

Gutranquiland for

'Wine?' he asked

Mr McSteamy

"No, thanks, Giana said. 'Water's fine."

Kira didn't speak

Giana felt it was her responsibility to break the ice.

Besides,

she was curious.

"Mr Garner, Kira's your..girlfriend?"

"Ex," Kira corrected her.

Sorry, ex-girlfriend. So you guys dated back in high school?"

Glana would have remembered seeing e

'Yes,' Gideon said.

He kept his eyes on Kira, whose face v

Ah, 1 see.