A Matter Of Justice (Grey Justice #4)(6)

“I’m fine. It’s just a busy time for me, so…” She gave herself a hard mental shake. Sentimentality had no place where she was going. “You’ll be sure to let me know if you or any of the children have need of anything?”

“Of course I will.”

There was no use prolonging the event. Irelyn leaned over the child and pressed a kiss to her forehead. If she did nothing else worthwhile in this life, she was good with that. She had saved this last one, and that was all that mattered.

Giving Sister Nadeen one last nod of thanks, she turned and walked out the door. Spine straight, shoulders erect, chin held high, she focused on what lay ahead. The invitation she’d been working toward had finally arrived. And now she had one last thing to do before she accepted the offer. As hard as it had been to say goodbye to Somer and the other children at the hospital, this last goodbye would be a million times worse. But there was no choice. To do the thing she must, she had to sever every tie.

She had never been a fan of Friedrich Nietzsche and found it ironic that so many of his quotes fit her life. The clichéd if dire encouragement of his most famous one gave her an odd sort of comfort. What doesn’t destroy you makes you stronger.

Irelyn was about to put those words to the test.





Chapter Three





Dublin, Ireland





She had never planned to return to this city. But, as she’d learned early in life, plans changed. You either rolled with them or let them roll over you.

Like so many things from her early childhood, the memories of living here were vague wisps of blurred features and images. She knew she was lucky in that respect. She had more than enough nightmares from the things she could remember.

She did remember terror and hopelessness. From her first breath, they had been with her. Some might say it would have been best if she had never had a second breath.

She sat at the window of the most exclusive restaurant in the city. From here, she could see a lush, lovely park. Children played with carefree abandon, while a mother, father, or nanny kept a careful, watchful eye. There was no hint of darkness or dirtiness. No shadow of danger. No one would guess that ten miles to the north, another story could be told. One of death, misery, and evil. She had once lived in the center of that darkness. She had escaped, but not without consequences, not without death.

Of her own choice, her own volition, she was returning to that darkness. The place where it had all begun. The very thought of going back created a knot the size of Texas in her stomach, but she had been working toward this goal for almost two years now. She could not back down now.

Today would be the final step. The most painful one she had ever made. But to do this successfully, she had no choice.

Shifting her gaze, she spotted a tall, well-dressed man striding down the sidewalk. He was too far away for her to see his face, but it didn’t matter. She would recognize that purposeful gait anywhere. Some men walked to get to another location or escape where they had been. Grey Justice walked like he was on a mission, as if he could and would conquer worlds.

In many ways, he had. Whatever goal he set for himself, he achieved. Steely determination, combined with an uncanny ability to seize opportunities, had not only made him a wealthy man, but also one who was both respected and reviled.

She had loved and hated him for over half her life. Though, in her more honest moments, she could admit that the hatred was always at the edge of the overwhelming feelings she had for this man. Today, though he wouldn’t like the news, she planned to sever the intricate ties that bound them together. It wouldn’t alleviate the pain. In fact, ending their relationship would feel as though she had carved out her heart, leaving a gaping hole filled with nothing but dark emptiness. To not do it, though, would be even worse. To do this thing, to complete the task before her, she had to destroy their connection. It had to end…they had to end, here and now.

She felt him behind her. He confirmed his presence by the touch of his hand on her bare shoulder. She resisted the temptation to close her eyes and relish the caress. If she was to succeed, she would have to shut down all the feelings and emotions. If he even suspected what was going on inside her, he would never accept the finality of her words.

She had placed her handbag in the chair to her right and a large shopping bag in the chair to her left. Anyone else would have taken the hint and sat across from her. Grey Justice wasn’t like anyone else. Without a word, he lifted the shopping bag, placed it in the empty chair, and then sat down beside her. Irelyn restrained herself from releasing an exasperated huff.

“It’s been too long, Irelyn.”

“And some might say not long enough.”

The smile he gave was a little whimsical, a little sad. “Not me.”

“No, not you. Never you.”

“I was surprised when you called.” Blue eyes roamed over her face, and she knew he was searching for the answers to questions he hadn’t yet asked. No one could read her like Grey, which was another reason she had to maintain her composure. He had to believe what she was selling.

“I thought it was time we had a face-to-face.”

“That’s an intriguing term for a lunch between close friends.”

Friends? That word scarcely touched the complex relationship that she and Grey shared.

Before she could answer, the server came to their table and engaged Grey in a conversation. Appreciating the momentary reprieve, Irelyn took the opportunity to study him. With eyes a piercing midnight blue and a face that seemed carved from a master sculptor’s talented hand, Grey was a striking man. His thick, coal-black hair was slightly longer than he normally wore it, almost touching his collar. That, along with the beard stubble and slight shadows beneath his eyes, told her he hadn’t been taking care of himself as he should. That knowledge hurt. She knew she had caused him worry.