Rake: A Dark Boston Irish Mafia Romance (The Carneys Book 1) - Sophie Austin Page 0,64

together. I know he’s sorry about what he put me through, but I’m not sure if that’s enough.

The day drags. We break at noon for lunch, and I leave the premises and meet with Jamilah.

“Hard to know how it’s going,” I say, holding her hands in mine. “But I’m hopeful.”

“It’s been a long, uphill battle. No one knows that better than you do.”

The ballot counting is open to the public, so Jamilah will be there cheering us on.

I’m ready to crawl out of my skin by five-thirty when it’s finally time to do it.

I’m sitting toward the back of the room, the front rows full of casino staff. Jamilah strides in and all eyes turn to her. She winks at me and sits in the front row. James Carney is on the other side of the front row, glaring at her.

The NLRB representative goes over the rules and starts the count. I see Finn come in and sit in the corner by the exit. He doesn’t look directly at me but smiles in a way that lets me know he sees me.

A peculiar thing happens a few minutes later. The feeling drains from my fingertips and toes, my breathing slowing. My vision tunnels, and I feel on the edge of a panic attack. Is it stress at the ballot count? I want to stay, but I also want to run. The panic claws at my chest. I look over at Finn, and he’s watching the exit. There’s a man standing there, gesturing at him.

A man my body recognizes in a different way.

A man who hurt me terribly back in July.

Finn gets up to talk to him. I force myself to my feet. What’s going on? Has this all been a setup? Did Finn make up that terrible story about his father? I slip out into the hallway, following quietly behind the men. I hide around a corner and listen to them talk.

“I told you no kids, Finn. What’s wrong with you?”

“What are you talking about, Hamish?”

“You ordered a hit on a kid? Come on. That’s beneath you.”

“I didn’t order a hit on anyone.”

“P.J.’s going for it. He doesn’t care. But have you no sense of morality? At all?”

No.

My brother.

It has to be.

“Hamish. I didn’t order a hit. Tell me where. Tell me where it’s happening.”

“It’s happening now in the same park we got the lady in. If it wasn’t you, then…where are you going?”

I dash out after him, pushing past the man Finn referred to as Hamish. My feet are numb, but I can’t stop. I can’t keep up with Finn, who’s nearly a foot taller than I am, but I’m not far behind. Oh God, please, if it’s my brother…

I haven’t been past Doherty Park since it happened. Even thinking about that space makes me freeze up in fear. But not tonight. I choke back the vomit that rises in my throat as I sprint after Finn into the park. My worst fears are realized when I see Benjamin there, and P.J. Hennelly taunting him.

Finn rushes between P.J. and my brother.

“Woah,” he says, “what’s going on here?”

“You should know,” Benjamin spits. “You told me he was going to be here.”

“I did?” Finn asks. “No, I didn’t.”

I can’t tell if the confusion in his voice is real. I want to believe it is.

“The note,” he says. “You told me the asshole who hurt Sasha would be here.” He tries to push around Finn to get to P.J.

“That wasn’t me.” Finn pushes Benjamin back. “I didn’t send you a note.”

“But it’s him, isn’t it?” Benjamin continues, his voice shaking.

“It was me, kid,” P.J. says. “Well, I was there. Hamish did most of the dirty work that first time because he knew I’d get a little out of hand. I like the girls.” He laughs. “They’re so soft, kid. You ever hit a girl before?”

“Fuck you!”

“P.J., I need you to leave.” Finn shields my brother still. “This has all been a mistake. Everything about this has been a mistake.”

“Sorry, buddy. I’ve been paid in full to take care of business here with a big bonus when it’s done. And I don’t care who writes the check. I’m cashing it.”

I shriek, and both Finn and Benjamin spin to face me.

“Get out of here,” Finn commands. “Sasha, go!”

I can’t move. Big, fat snowflakes have started to fall, adding an absurd ethereal quality to the scene.

Benjamin rushes forward, calling my name. As he does, P.J. points a gun in his direction. Why can’t I move?