Destroy Me - Ella Sheridan Page 0,8

her head, but it got the job done. Leaving a firm hand on her chest, he tore open a pocket on the thigh of his fatigues and removed a couple of zip ties. Lyse’s eyes widened.

“What are ya after, silk?”

She didn’t answer, didn’t move. He used his shoulder to pin her in place as he reached around and secured her wrists to the chair. Two more ties took care of her legs, not that they were a threat. Even in the small chair, the balls of her feet barely touched the ground.

He backed up a step.

“Am I needing to worry about your mouth?” He wasn’t thinkin’ so—she’d been quiet up till now despite fighting him—but he was needing to make his point. He’d scoped out her apartment and the one next door before walking into the village and knew the neighbor’s was empty. A picture on the nightstand had told him it belonged to the man he’d seen with her at the pub. Tall, brawny—he would be a threat if he was wanting to be. Neither he nor the other man had moved like they were trained, but Fionn hadn’t survived this long by discounting variables. Was Lyse working with them somehow?

The image of her doing more than working with the neighbor flashed behind his eyes, adding extra mean to his stare.

Lyse was already white as a sheet, but whatever she saw in his face had her shrinking back. “N-no.”

Knowing he needed to question her fast, he made quick work of scouting the apartment, then returned to the kitchen. Lyse sat quietly, seeming more composed than she’d been a few minutes past. That wouldn’t last for long.

“Fionn—”

“What are you doing in North Quigley?” No one knew about this place but Deacon. He’d been after keeping the secret all these years, had killed the part of him that needed his family, all so his mam could be safe. No coincidence would bring this woman here. It was impossible.

“I…” Lyse’s full lips tightened, a white outline forming around them. “I knew it was the one place you wouldn’t look.”

“You knew it was the one place you could finish the job you started on me.”

“What?” She shook her head, the thick, messy bun at the back bobbing. “I wouldn’t—”

“What? Set a bomb? Almost kill your teammates, the people who trusted you?” Every time he thought about it, the rage was almost as fresh as it had been that night, the moment he’d realized what she’d done. “You did. You would. So don’t be trying to make me believe you’re not a threat to my—”

He slammed his mouth shut over the word, his teeth clanging together. Christ, emotion was driving him to be reckless. Don’t give intel you aren’t sure the enemy already has. Let them give it to you.

And Lyse did. “Your mother?” Her head tilted in that way she’d always had, as if she was seeking to understand. He refused to fall for it again. “I’m no threat to Siobhan.”

She pronounced it the Irish way, Shavonne. She’d learned a bit while she was here. His body tensed just hearing the name on her lips.

He stalked closer, enjoying the way she struggled to retreat. “You are a traitor. You set a bomb that could’ve killed dozens of people. I’m not after believing anything you say; I sure as feck won’t trust ya with my mam.”

“Fionn, I never would’ve hurt you.” She blinked up at him, a suspicious sheen in her eyes. Everything about her was suspicious. “I wouldn’t hurt anyone, but especially not you.”

He snorted. “Why? Because you’re kind and sweet and naive? None of us are buying that shit anymore.”

Lyse squeezed her eyes shut. He could see the fight going on inside her, the need to defend herself. She could try all she wanted; it wouldn’t be doing her any good.

Opening her eyes, she focused on his jumper, not meeting his gaze. “You know why. I couldn’t hurt you, Fionn. I…”

Something mean sparked in his gut. “Why? Because of your little crush?”

Her pale cheeks went pink, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“You didn’t think your case of puppy love meant anything, did ya? Those big eyes staring up at me, full of hearts.” He leaned in, planting his hands on the seat on either side of her thighs, bringing their faces close. He wanted her to see him, wanted her feeling it when he delivered the blows. “All that pathetic hero worship almost got my team killed. Why? Because we trusted you.