Part 25 (2/2)

Brian, my lad. I am New York.”

”Pete will have your head if he finds you went out on your own.”

”b.u.g.g.e.r Pete,” Johnno said cheerfully. ”Though he's not precisely my

style.” Grinning, he downed the whiskey. ”So, where's the little brat?”

”She's sleeping.” Bev picked up a cigarette.

Brian answered the next knock. Stevie strolled in, and after an absent

nod to Bev headed straight to the bar. P.M. followed, and looking a

little pale, dropped into a chair.

”Word from Pete is we'll do the interview here,” he said. ”He'll be

bringing the reporter along. Where'd you get the hat?” he asked Johnno.

”It's a long, sad story, son.” Glancing over, he spotted Emma standing

at the crack in her bedroom door. ”Don't look now, but we've company.

h.e.l.lo there, prune face.”

She giggled a little, but didn't come in. At the moment, her eyes were

all for Brian.

He crossed over and, picking her up, patted her bottom. ”Emma. How does

it feel to be an international traveler?”

She thought she'd dreamed it, that one moment where he'd tucked her in

bed and kissed her cheek. But it wasn't a dream, because he was there,

smiling at her, his voice making all the nastiness in her stomach

disappear.

”I'm hungry,” she said and offered him a huge grin.

”I'm not surprised.” He kissed the dimple at the corner of her mouth.

”How about some chocolate cake?”

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