“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I tease him.
He eyes me. “Why did you come?”
I briefly press my lips to his. “I came because I’m far from finished with you, Mr. O’Rourke. We’re married, and this isnothow our marriage is going to end. I came to talk some sense into you.”
And to tell you we’re going to have a baby. I keep that to myself, for now. We’re going to get out of this alive. When that happens, then I’ll tell Cian he’s going to be a father.
Right now we need to focus on saving ourselves and each other, so we can have our happily ever after.
CHAPTER 59
Ravenna
Brendan and a small group of men, who I vaguely recognize, take Cian from his cell and cuff his hands behind his back. Discretely, I pluck a pin from my hair, hiding it in my palm. As expected, they handcuff me as well.
We’re brought out of the building to a couple of waiting SUVs. It’s night. A biting November wind chills my skin. I firmly hold onto the bobby pin. It’s my only chance for escape once the opportunity presents itself.
Cian’s shoved into the backseat of one vehicle, while I’m separated from him and deposited into the other car. Brendan follows me inside, occupying the seat next to me.
As we roll out of the compound, I wonder why Cian’s men turned on him. Is it all of them, or just some? Did Wolfe become a traitor too?
Knowing Brendan’s behind everything, I’m pretty sure my suspicions of Wolfe were misplaced. If that’s true, then where is he? I’d think Wolfe would be charging in here to rescue Cian. So far, no such luck.
“Where are you taking us?” I ask Brendan while staring straight ahead. I don’t want him to see the fear in my eyes. He’sthe type of man to get off on that kind of power trip. Something about him reminds me too much of my brother.
He pulls me onto his lap. I struggle against him, but lose my balance with my hands secured behind my back. He steadies me by gripping my shoulders. One palm slides up the side of my neck and he cups my cheek. I glare daggers at him.
“You have so much fight in you, Ravenna.” His minty breath washes across my face. “You remind me of my sister. Fiona was so full of life beforehetook it all away from her. Don’t you see? All I want is revenge. You’d do the same if you were in my shoes.”
“I’d never do what you did to Cian. I’d never torture someone like that,” I spit at him.
“Yes, you would.” His nose brushes mine. “In fact, if you could, you’d do that to me. Wouldn’t you?”
I open my mouth to respond when his lips crash down on mine. A strangled protest leaves my throat, my eyes wide. Snarling, I bite his lip, satisfied when I taste a coppery tang.
Brendan jerks his head back. Blood trickles down his chin.
Wiping it away with the back of his hand, he grins. “We’re going to have so much fun together. But first, I need to make you a widow.”
Alarm shoots through me. “How are you going to do that?”
“Wait and see, little vixen.” He cocks his head to one side. “Really, it shouldn’t make much difference to you. You were arranged to marry the leader of this crew, to unite the Irish and Italians. Nothing will change except you’re getting a new husband. Me. I’m the new leader, and I’m Irish. But unlike O’Rourke, I know what a bitch like you is good for. You’ll be pregnant with my child as soon as possible. Then we’ll do it all over again, and again. I’m going to keep you pregnant for years. Seven, twelve, twenty children—I haven’t settled on a number yet.”
I recoil on his lap. “You’ll never get close enough to me for that.”
“No? You should know that I have no qualms about rape. You can scream all you want, but I will fuck you. As soon as I do away with O’Rourke, we’re signing that marriage certificate, and you’ll be mine. It’s yourdutyto spread your legs for me whenever I want. Besides, there’s no such thing as rape in marriage.”
Ew. What a disgusting asshole.
For probably the first time in my life, I keep my mouth shut. He’s told me everything I need to know for now. He’s going to murder Cian. I have to stop him. It’s as simple as that.
The SUV pulls into a deserted parking lot. Is this it? Is Brendan going to shoot Cian and leave his body here? Why not kill him at the compound where his death could be hidden? Unless Brendan wants the whole world to see what he’s about to do.
We get out of the vehicles. “Walk,” Brendan demands.
We’re both marched toward a bluff, then down several stairs to a walkway. Traffic hums below us. Moist, frigid air clings to my lungs.
The walkway emerges onto a long, narrow bridge with ancient pillar lights. It’s not built for vehicles, and this time of night there aren’t any pedestrians on it either. We’re all alone up here above what I recognize as the Harlem River.
