“After our little misunderstanding at the hotel, I didn’t think I’d hear from you again.”
“You almost didn’t.”
“If you’re still pissed, why’d you message me?”
“Because you were at the hospital with me right after the accident. You’ll know if what I remembered was real or if my mind is playing tricks on me.”
He wrapped his hands around the top piece of wood on the kitchen chair. “Then tell me. What is it you remembered, Duncan?”
“My chest wound wasn’t totally a result of shrapnel.” I paused for dramatic flair. “I was shot at the crash site.”
If I hadn’t been paying close attention, I never would’ve seen his fingers spasm or the way he gripped the chair harder in an attempt to cover his reaction. But I was and I did. Any doubts I had about Niall being the one who pulled the trigger were extinguished at that moment. What I wanted to know was why?
“Shot?” He slid a chair from underneath the table, lowering himself into it. I did the same. “It was a car crash, Duncan, not a bank robbery.”
“Technically, it was a bombing, Niall. Don’t forget about the IED that took out my car. I think being around Sloane again triggered my brain to remember pieces it suppressed when I thought she was dead. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“Or maybe these are false memories. Don’t you think if you’d been shot, I would know? I was there when theywheeled you out of the operating room. I talked to the surgeon personally.”
“Reel him in nice and slow, Duncan,” Waverly whispered.
“I know what I saw, Niall.”
“Let’s backtrack for a second. What exactly did you remember?”
“There was a man standing over me with a gun. He said something, then pulled the trigger. I heard him whistling when he walked away.”
“Did you see his face?”
“No. That part is still hazy.”
“Do you know how ridiculous this sounds? I can’t go to the Irish police and ask them to reopen the investigation when the only proof you have is your unreliable memory. I’d be laughed out of the building.”
“Who said I don’t have any proof, Niall?”
“I just assumed––”
“You assumed wrong. We’ve got bank records, showing payment to the surgeon who operated on me.”
He swallowed roughly. “Then you know. So why the ruse?”
“I wanted to know why.”
“Head’s up. Another car is approaching.”
As soon as Koen gave the warning, I heard the distinct sound of tires crunching over gravel outside. In all our planning, we hadn’t taken into account the possibility that Nial might bring in another player. Guess we were winging it.
“Can you see who’s driving?” Keaton asked.
“Negative. The window tint is too dark.”
“Who did you invite to our party, Niall?” I tapped my finger againstmy lips.
The grin that spread across Niall’s face was nothing but pure evil. “You’ll find out soon enough, old friend.”
“I’m on the move. I’ll see if I can get a visual through the windshield.” A few seconds later, Keaton’s words sent chills down my spine. “What the fuck ishedoing here?”
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.