Page 33 of Reckless Desires

“Why would she be at that kind of party?”

“She was being auctioned.”

“You bought her?” Mickey pushes off his car. “That’s an interesting way to get Costello’s attention.”

“You would have done the same.”

He nods. “I know.” He lets out a deep breath. “And you’re not sleeping with her?”

“She’s half my age, Mickey. I’m no cradle robber.”

“I need to ask to see how deep in you are.”

“I’m not deep in at all.” I go on to explain my plan, to which Mickey nods in approval, then hands me a cigarette.

“You think it’s safe to let her tag along?” He lights his cigarette up then hands me the matches.

“She doesn’t seem to scare easily. I won’t make her anyone else’s burden.” I strike the match against the edge of the cover. Fire lights up, and I inhale on my cigarette, letting it catch fire.

“You know if it’s Vidalia, it’s going to mean war.” Mickey lets out an exhale of smoke.

“Yep.” I let out a huff of smoke in the shape of a circle. “And I understand if you don’t want to. I’ll do it on my own.”

“Like hell you will. I’ll take it as an insult if you don’t let me help you.”

You’d think Mickey would be upset, but this is the thing he enjoys. I don’t know anyone who loves killing as much as he does.

I take a drag. “I’ll meet you at the house with the rest of the boys.”

I watch him get into his car and drive off while I finish my cigarette in solitude. But that peace is disrupted when I hear someone approaching. Liliana comes into view. Her hair needs to be brushed, and it’s clear she isn’t wearing a bra, but the simplicity of her look really accentuates her natural beauty.

“Going to try and run again?” I mock her.

“Once I find a better weapon.” She smirks. “You have another?” She nods to the cigarette.

“You smoke?” I furrow my brows.

“Sometimes,” she says.

I don’t answer, and somehow it gives her the impression she can walk up to me and take the cigarette out of my mouth.

“I’m not keen on sharing.” I look down at her even though I don’t take the cigarette back.

“Well, you’ve decided to be my keeper. So suck it up, buttercup.” Her face was now dry.

“Done crying?”

Liliana takes a drag, unbothered, and puts her hand on her hip. “You don’t have police in Ireland? Who doesn’t call the cops when gunshots are fired like that?” She lets out smoke deliberately toward me.

Putting my hands in my pockets, I reply, “Around here, we are the law. That cottage has seen worse days, I’m sure.”

She looks at me as though unsure if I’m safe to be around. “Are you going to sell me off?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Why wouldn’t you?” she challenges. “No one knows I’m here or with you, for that matter. You can do anything you want with me and get away with it.”

I step closer to her. “Is this you surrendering?”