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I sense a ruggedness beneath his tuxedo—this man has seen things. There’s also a familiarity about him, and I’m struggling to place where we might know each other.
“Ms. Taylor. What are the odds that I’d run into you here?”
“Oh, I… um…” I’m not sure why I’m so flustered and stammering. Quickly squashing the spell I’m under, I offer a version of the truth, and reply, “I needed to deliver something to one of the bachelors for the auction.”
“Ah, Mr. Blake, I presume? It’s always fun to watch that one each year.”
“No. Well, yes, actually. His brother is participating this year. My husband is no longer able to, for obvious reasons.” I huff a small laugh, lifting the back of my hand and wiggling my fingers to show off my wedding ring.
“True, it would be inappropriate; Alexander shouldn’t do the auction this year.”
My breath catches at the mention of Alex.Who is this guy?“I’m sorry, you’re mistaken. I’m married to his brother,Chris. Historically, he’s done it, but Alex is in the auction this year, instead.”
“Is that so?” He sighs a hum, then lowers his voice. “It’s curious that the heart attack didn’t take Christopher out hours before the wedding. Maybe Cara got the dosage wrong?”
Cara? Dosage?
I glance around and lean in to whisper-shout, “What are you talking about?”
“Forgive me, I’ve never properly introduced myself. Finn Gallagher.” My eyes go wide, my heart coming to a halt. “Ah, so you’ve heard of me? Pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.” He offers his hand, and I hesitantly take it. “Though it’s a pity I missed your wedding. I heard it was beautiful.” I offer a faux bright smile, and as I’m about to agree, he keeps his voice low. “Secrets always have a way of coming out, Ms. Taylor.”
That little sentence feels eerily familiar, and it takes me a moment to place it. Blood drains from my cheeks at the realization that he could be the author of the cryptic text I received. Finn Gallagher,theFinn Gallagher.
The elevator dings, and when the doors open, he gestures to the empty space. “After you.”
Keeping my posture rigid and my expression emotionless, I clear my throat and ensure my voice is light and airy. “That’s all right, I’ll catch the next one. Have a great time at the gala!”
“I insist, Ms. Taylor,” he purrs.
I square my shoulders. “As you’re aware, it’s Mrs. Blake, now.”
“Is it? I wasn’t sure since your marriage license never left Hawaii.” I look back down the hall at his challenge. Alex’s door is still shut. There’s no way I could make a run for it in this dress; I can hardly breathe in it as it is. “I can assure you, your safety is my utmost priority. We havemuchto discuss.”
“Perhaps I should still seek a chaperone?” I jest, and as the doors begin to close, he forces them to remain open. “If you intend for us to take a turn about the room, you should make your intentions known.” While I know the reference is lost on him, I can’t help giggling to myself.
“I don’t have time for Regency advice.” On their own volition, my eyes nearly escape their sockets. “You, Ms. Taylor, are the future of our country. And if that weren’t enough, my heart belongs to someone else. I have no desire to upsetmo rúnsearcby her finding out I touched her friend.”
Mo rúnsearc? What the hell does that mean?
Reluctantly, I step inside the elevator, choosing to believe this man who knows entirely too much about literature… and me. I’m unsure who was loose-lipped about everything. How could he possibly know?
The hotel staff?
Alex?
Finn presses the button for the mezzanine level, and the doors close. It was incredibly reckless to get in an elevator alone with this strange man, but despite his reputation, he’s given me no reason to fear him hurting me.
Except for the fact that he knows about the license, believes Cara tried to give Chris a heart attack, and is hinting that he knows about my fake wedding…
He wants something.
Pivoting the conversation away from me, I inquire, “I’m not sure which friend of mine is your ‘mo rúnsearc’ or who you are worried about upsetting. All of my friends are married.”
“She’s the love of my life, but I wouldn’t expect you to be privy to that information. She isn’t exactly forthcoming about me, even with friends.” Finn smiles with a twinkle in his eyes, tiny lines forming at the corners. It’s almost sweet the way this ruthless killer lights up at the mention of a woman.
I rack my brain, trying to figure out who he might be talking about.Is a friend of mine being unfaithful to her husband? With him?Curiosity gets the best of me. Keeping my eyes fixed on the numbers counting up to our floor, I dare to mildly accuse him. “I don’t recallyour name on the guest list. Did you receive a personal invitation to the gala? Or are you attending as someone’s plus one?”
“I was invited by your mother.”
