Hard Bastard(54)
There was a short pause then he laughed. “Okay, sure. You a little paranoid?”
“Yeah, I fucking am. Wouldn’t you be?”
“Of course, brother, of course. I’ll be there in ten.”
“Fine.” I hung up the phone and got out of bed. I got dressed and slipped my gun into my jeans then headed toward the door.
I stuck my head into the bathroom. Sadie was still in the shower. I watched her silhouette for a second, enjoying her curves.
“I have to leave for an hour,” I said.
“You’re leaving?”
“Liam called. He wants to talk business.”
“I’m coming then.”
“No,” I said. “It’s too dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We’re meeting at a bar near here. I don’t trust him, Sadie. I don’t want you in danger.”
She opened the door and looked out at me. “So it’s okay if you’re in danger?”
“More or less. I can handle myself.”
She looked like she wanted to argue more, but instead she took a deep breath and released it. “Okay,” she said. “If that’s what you think is right.”
“Stay here. Stay in this room no matter what. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be back.”
“I know you will.”
I turned and left, shutting the bathroom door behind me.
Manny’s was right down the street, a two-minute drive. I pulled into the lot and went inside. It was pretty crowded, which I was happy about. I wanted there to be more people to cover what we were talking about and to make me feel safer. They were less likely to straight up ambush me in the middle of a crowded bar, even a fucking dive like Manny’s.
I spotted Liam already sitting at the bar, an empty stool to his right. In front of the stool was a glass of whisky. I walked over, a smile on my face, and sat down next to him.
He grinned at me. “Good to see you,” he said.
I nodded. “You too.”
“Drink up.” He saluted me with his glass. I picked mine up and sipped.
I wasn’t going to let this display of affection get to me. Liam still hadn’t proven himself an ally just yet, and so he could be an enemy. I had to assume that he was going to double-cross me somehow, up until I was sure that I was safe.
“Where’s the girl?” he asked.
“Back in the hotel,” I said.
“I liked her. Had some fire.”
“She’s a smart girl. She knows when she should stay away from men like you.”
He laughed. “Is that so?”
“Let’s get down to it, Liam. What did Padraig say?”
Liam nodded, sipping his drink. “Padraig was interested, but how can we trust you?”
“You know the girl and you know they’re after her. Obviously, she has something.”
“That’s what I said.” He shrugged. “He wants more. Assurances.”
“He has my word.”
“Your word isn’t enough.”
“Is five grand enough?”
He smiled at me. “That’ll do it, then.”
“Good. What else?”
“We needs keys and instructions. I’ll be going on the run myself, so I’ll have to meet with the girl, talk it over.”
“Fine. We can do that.”
“Where are you staying?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Does that matter?”
“Not necessarily, no. But it’ll help for when I go to meet with the girl.”
“You can do that in some neutral place.”
He laughed. “Okay then. Whatever you want.”
“After this, we’re free to go?”
“That’s the idea, it is.”
“Okay then. Tell Padraig we’re on.”
“I will.” He raised his glass. “To fucking up the Russians.”
“Cheers.”
We clinked glasses. I tossed my drink back and stood. “I should get back.”
“Leaving so soon?”
“She’s waiting for me.”
“Good on you.”
“Not like that.”
“No? You’re just helping her out of the kindness of your heart?”
I smiled. “Okay. Maybe a little like that.”
“That’s a good lad. I’ll call your burner when we’re ready.”
“Fine. Talk soon.”
I turned and headed toward the entrance of Manny’s.
I didn’t love the way that went, but it wasn’t surprising. Five grand wasn’t some huge sum to the Irish, but it was enough to show that I was serious about all this. Likely Liam would pocket it all in the end, anyway. Padraig might not even know anything about this, if I knew Liam. He could be running this whole thing on his own just to look like a hero for his people, plus to make a little cash on the side.