Free Kieran by Kassanna Page A

Usually she and Roscoe traded insults. It was fun matching wits with the old guy. In the blink of an eye he’d gone from gregarious to serious. “What you need?”
    “I made a promise a long time ago to watch a good friend’s sons… Never mind.” Half his face lifted in a rueful smile.
    “All right.” Where was this conversation going? “Say what’s on your mind, Roscoe. I need to finish payroll.”
    Martin stomped into the room out of breath. “Rica”
    “What?” She swiveled in her chair to face him.
    “Kieran asked me to come by and get you.”
    “That’s nice, but I got shit to do.” She faced Roscoe. “You were saying?”
    He stared at Martin through narrowed eyes. “We can talk later after I get back.”
    “We don’t have a lot of time, Rica. I was told to bring you the law firm now.” Urgency was in his tone. Martin rushed through the words.
    “I’m busy.” She exhaled. Did motherfuckers think money magically appeared in their bank accounts? Maintaining multiple records was a chore, but hell if she trusted anyone to do it for her. “Kieran knows what I do every Thursday. If he wants me bad enough he’ll find me.”
    “I’m off.” Roscoe ambled out of the storeroom. Pausing momentarily, he glanced back at her and offered a little smile.
    “I want that machine fixed tonight before we open, old man!” she called after Roscoe’s retreating back.
    “Kieran’s in a meeting with his brothers.” Martin clapped his hands together and shook them in front of his face.  “I was told to bring you back and I can’t afford to fuck up again. He’s already mad at me. Please.” Shit was serious if Martin was begging her. “Sounds like a personal problem to me.” She shook her head. “Given our relationship, I’m surprised he would send you.”
    “Goo was coming, but there were some questions about off-shore accounts. Everyone is busy so Keiran sent me.”
    She actually felt a little sorry for Martin. Kieran could be an asshole when he was pissed. Rica looked down at the multiple columns of numbers. Most of the work was done. She gazed up at Martin as he rocked on his toes. Kieran trusted him, and although Kieran never discussed his youth, occasionally he would let his guard down and she would catch a glimpse of his childhood. More than once he’d mentioned Martin from those days. This would give her an opportunity to find out what was really going on with the enforcers’ screwed-up drops before she discussed it with Kieran. “Fine.” She rode from her seat and snatched her coat from the chair back. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Six
     
    Fat flakes of snow drifted down from an overcast sky as she and Martin exited the building. Rica tugged her collar together and ducked her head beneath it. Martin took the keys from her fingers and locked up. He angled his head toward a car at the mouth of the alley.
    “Hey!” Roscoe yelled, hurrying down the brick-paved pathway.
    She stopped. “What’s up?”
    “I got a little situation, Rica. I lost my wallet and I’m not sure where to find it.” A deeper red tinge colored his cheeks.
    “Oh.” She stuffed her hands in her jeans pocket. “I got a couple twenties. Will that be enough? I think I got the business credit card.” She patted her jacket.
    “No, it’s a refrigeration part.” He gazed up at Martin. “I can take Rica to Kieran. You go on and let him know we are on our way.”
    “I was told to bring her.” Martin inched in close to her.
    She twisted between the two men. “Roscoe, I’ll go back in the club and pull some funds from petty cash.”
    “It would be quicker if you came with me. We get the part and I’ll drop you off at…” Roscoe spoke quickly
    “Kieran is at the law firm.” Martin grumbled.
    “Then it’s settled.” Roscoe gripped her by the arm and jerked her toward him. With a solid grasp on her elbow he started walking, leaving her no choice but to follow.
    She trotted behind him and wrenched her limb free at