Page 50 of Deceived Wrath

I take another long sip of my cocktail for liquid courage before filling Zoe in on everything, though I leave out the part where I’m secretly working as a spy for Lorcan Sullivan.

“So, you’re an assistant?” Zoe asks once I’ve finished.

“Yes.”

“For Cormac Sullivan.”

“Yes.”

“Sullivan… As in?”

“TheSullivans.”

“Holy shit.”

I let Zoe marinade on the information as she downs the rest of her drink. Every expression passes over her face as she goes from shocked to horrified to downright angry.

“This doesn’t make sense, Fi. You hate families like the Sullivans, and now you’reworkingfor one?”

She’s not wrong.

Though Zoe doesn’t know the full story of my relationship with Freddy, she knows enough to understand why I have such a deep hatred for families like Cormac’s and the values they stand for.

So, I can understand her confusion when I turn around and tell her I’m suddenly on the Sullivans’ payroll.

People like Cormac and his brothers, they don’t care about anyone but themselves. They think nothing of tossing people aside and leaving them to choke on their own blood. They’re monsters. Something I would do well to remember.

“I just don’t understand why you would give up your job, a job that you loved and worked extremely hard for, by the way, to go and work for Cormac Sullivan. It makes no sense. Unless… Are you in trouble? Is that it?” She looks panicked.

The words are on the tip of my tongue, but, of course, I don’t admit the truth.

The fewer people who know about my debt with Lorcan, the better. I can’t risk Zoe trying to help and accidentally getting dragged into my mess. It’s not worth it.

So, I plaster a smile on my face and hope to God she can’t see through it. “This was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

“Being a personal assistant? Seriously? Come on, Fiona. You’re better than that.”

Don’t remind me.

“It’s not just about fetching coffee.”

“But your degree…”

“What about my degree?”

“I thought the whole point was to work for the FBI, not an investment firm.”

“That dream isn’t going anywhere.” Though I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince at this point. “With my new salary, I can easily clear my student loans and gain some valuable experience that I can use elsewhere when the time comes.”

“So, this is about money? If you needed help?—”

“No, it’s not about money. It’s purely a strategic career move, nothing more.”

Zoe looks anything but convinced.

“Is this because of Carly?”

I can’t help but flinch.