Mafia King (Young Irish Rebels #2) - Vi Carter Page 0,86
some work to do.” I move past Emma and move down the hall. I’m sure I saw an office here somewhere. I find it.
The laptop on the desk, I’m sure, is being tracked, but I need to find out where Malik Ales lives. I can’t wait much longer. I want answers tonight. Being back in the south, I know Emma isn’t in danger. I am. So, I’m not wasting any time. I need to find the man who had Frankie killed. Once that is done, I will make the deal with Liam, marry Emma, and then let her go.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SHAY
We’ve been back in the south for nearly two weeks now. I’ve barely seen Emma. I try to keep out of the house during the day, and when I’m there, I hide out in the office. At night I sleep on the couch or in a different room. The distance between us should make me want her less, but it has the opposite effect on me. Between that and coming to a dead end with Malik Ales, my frustration keeps growing.
Some old security personnel that I’ve worked with before are stationed around the house. I expected a call from Liam asking why all the staff was changed, but I haven’t heard from him.
He would know I’m back, yet he hasn’t made a move yet.
A knock at the office door startles me. “Come in.”
It’s Emma. I don’t know what has prompted her to come find me. She has kept her distance as much as I have.
“Yes, Emma?”
She shrugs; the uncertainty has her staying at the door. She’s kept busy the last two weeks with the wedding and redecorating the house. Each time I come home, something else has changed. She couldn’t be bored already.
“I just wanted to say hi.” She steps in, her gaze travels across the space. “What color would you like to paint the room?”
I sit back in the chair. “I like it as it is,” I answer.
Emma glances at me. “Why don’t you stay with me at night?”
Her words have me sitting up. “I do. I just have work to do, so it’s late nights.”
“No, you don’t. I’d know if you were beside me.”
I don’t answer her.
“Is this how a marriage to you is going to be?”
No. Because you will be free. “Right now, I’m just busy, Emma.”
“Anything I can help with?” Her eyes grow bright with hope as she steps up to the desk. I close the file that has all the addresses that Malik Ales lived at. Each one was a dead end. Each one had me hurting someone to get answers that were useless.
“No.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to leave me alone, so I can work.”
Emma’s brows pinch together like she’s in pain. I hate hurting her. “What did I do?” She isn’t like other girls. She doesn’t back down; instead, she moves closer. Her voice rises. “How can I fix this?”
I get up, not wanting anything to get back to Liam. I close the office door and turn on Emma, who’s flushed with anger, and all I want to do is take her.
“There is nothing to fix. So keep your voice down.” I take a step toward her.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “So now you are worried about what the staff thinks? You should focus more on your future wife.”
I’d smile, I’d kiss her and take her if things could work between us, but they can’t. I remind myself of that and go back to my desk. “You're acting like a child.”
Emma’s face grows redder. “Because you keep lying to me.” Another knock at the door has me wondering what the fuck is happening today. Two weeks and not one fucker comes near me, now all of a sudden I’m a wanted man.
“Come in.” The door opens, and I get up.
“Shay. I heard you got back.” Liam steps into the office, and I hate everything about him, from the smug look on his face to his sharp gaze that takes it all in.
“I’ve been back two weeks now. I thought you would have come by sooner.”
“I had business to attend to.”
When he looks at Emma, it’s enough to make me get out of the seat. “Emma, can you give us a moment?”
Emma snaps out of her daze and smiles at me. “Of course.” I hear her mumble hello to Liam. He waits until she leaves before he speaks.
“Your father was rather insistent that I come over and speak to