Page 30 of Dublin Beast
Like that, is it?
I grab a couple of scones and one of the containers with a full English breakfast. I slide it to my seat and set my coffee down. “Harper, this is Kieran. He’s not thrilled with our arrangement, so you’ll have to excuse him being less than his usual charming self.”
Kieran flashes me a middle finger salute and opens his laptop.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kieran. Hopefully, I can find something that eases your misgivings.” She shuffles down the table and makes herself a plate—scone, fruit, and a couple of strips of bacon.
Good choice.
Kieran’s glare is going to get old fast.
“Normally, he’s all charm and silver-tongued devil.”
He grunts and leans toward me. “Stop talking about me likeI’mthe issue here. We both know this is a clusterfuck of an idea. One that I guarantee would get you a fist to the balls if you floated past the people at home.”
“Well then, I’m glad we’re not home because I prefer my balls to be left out of things, fuck you very much.”
Harper doesn’t say anything. She’s eating her breakfast, her attention bouncing back and forth between Kieran and me like a spectator at a football match.
I reckon we seem like a rough lot.
Even cleaned up, Kieran has adon’t-fuck-with-mebiker look—russet hair, wild and long, scruff shadowing his jaw, and though he can be charming as fuck if it suits him, he can also flip from Irish charm to ready to throw elbows in the blink.
Harper eyes him for a beat, then smirks. “So, not a fan of working with the Canadian girl?”
Kieran huffs a laugh. “What gave it away?”
“The scowl more than anything.”
I chuckle, but Kieran just shakes his head and opens his laptop, glaring at me. “So, this is the plan, then? We’re doing this?”
I nod. “We are. Your concerns are noted and overruled. We’ve been here three days and gotten nowhere. It’s time to try something new.”
Kieran makes a noise but doesn’t argue. He knows I’m right. Logan got us a pass to stay and search for Siobhan if we didn’t interfere in Mason business again.
Having our hands tied and being stuck in this hotel is getting us nowhere.
I look at Harper. “Kieran will use his local contacts to discreetly enquire into Eddie Mason and his operation. And in return, you will turn over some new rocks and give us a fresh perspective on where Siobhan might be tucked away in a safe house.”
Harper nods, swiping a piece of fruit through the last traces of her scone’s jam before popping it into her mouth. She chews thoughtfully, then swallows. “I assume you’ve already looked at police transfers, legal transport routes, and known safe houses?”
Kieran scoffs. “We’re not new to this, little girl.”
She shrugs. “Had to ask.”
“No. You really didn’t.”
Harper looks over at me and I’d swear she’s trying not to laugh. She really isn’t afraid of testosterone-fueled angry men. Weird.
After drying her fingers on a paper napkin, she pulls her laptop back in front of her. “Alrighty then. Let’s get to it, shall we?”
I go back to my breakfast and decide to keep my head down for a while. This partnership might be uneasy, but for now, it’s the best idea I’ve got.
* * *
Harper
When Kieran takes a call and steps out into the hall, the tension in the room eases. That guy is intense. And given the tattoos on his knuckles and the whole ‘speak to me at your own risk’ vibe he’s giving off, I can safely say he’s likely got the goods to back up his hostility.
