Chapter 5 I Am Nineteen, Mr O'grady I

• I focus on the man who has spoken. He’s sitting, smoke curling from his lips and my heart drops to my stomach.
• This is the devil alright, And as handsome and evil as one, I think crazily.
• The man is dressed to the nines, in a slate grey vest and lavender tie. It would look effeminate on another man, but this man makes it look more masculine. It’s probably the two days' growth of stubble on his strong jaw or the devilish glint in his black eyes. Whatever, he’s all man and I step back, suddenly afraid as I notice the glint of interest in his eyes which sparkle as they rake my figure and face.
• “Eh, Finn?’ he asks, swiveling in his chair to take a good look at me,
• “Who is the little lady?’
• I feel my face turn hot with embarrassment and I square my shoulders. My hair is in a braided chignon at the base of my neck and I can feel Finn’s eyes on my nape.
• But he just grunts.
• ‘Listen to her, Liam,’ he growls.
• Liam O’Grady, I think, my heart pounding.
• The Devil himself, as the people say, crossing themselves after they say his name.
• He is a rogue, a killer, who does not hesitate to take the law into his hands. I have heard of him, Dad spoke of him disapprovingly too.
• But here I am, standing in his august presence, I think bitterly, come to beg for help.
• I become aware that there are other men here, all suited and well-dressed, And I sense Finn stepping away. He walks to the back of the room, his gait that of a panther on the prowl, the brown hair slightly mussed as he settles down on a chair, his eyes shining bronze in the dim light of the room.
• Swallowing, licking my lips for courage, I take a deep breath and am uncomfortably aware that the action pushes out my full breasts. Immediately I want to cringe; I hate the way every man in the room scrutinizes my chest.
• I stand, as tall as I can, feeling the bronze eyes of the man who sits, still and silent, his eyes on me. Gulping, suddenly feeling braver I say, quietly,
• “I’m Bianca. Bianca Cruz”
• As a slight murmur goes around the room, I go on in a hurry, my eyes riveted on one pair of golden eyes,
• “I’m here to ask for help.”
• There’s a pause and then the man called Liam. who sits, smoking, scratching his two days’ stubble lets out a low chuckle. He swivels his chair to look around at Finn, whose smouldering look sets me on fire.
• “Well, she’s a bold little wench, Finn, I’ll warrant you that!”
• And just like that, all the men are laughing. I feel my face flame but I am aware that all through the ordeal, a pair of golden eyes remains fixed and unsmiling on me. Steady.
• I sigh, and raise my hands, palms upward as I say again,
• “Please…”
• The laughter stops.
• The man in the suit, the one with the piercing blue eyes and the black hair, speaks. He is obviously in charge here.
• “I’m Liam, little lady. Liam O’Grady.”
• He nods his head to the silent giant at the back of the room, who is still looking at me. With a sly grin on his handsome face, O’Grady says, unrelatedly sharing the information,
• “As for Hulk over there; that’s my brother Finn.”
• He adds, with an exaggerated sigh,
• “So, tell me, how can I help a fair lady like you?’
• I feel my face turn pink. I know that Liam O’Grady is mocking me.