Now she knows she can get to Dalla outside the compound walls.
Now she has a face-to-face read on her target.
The clock is ticking.
"We need to increase security," I say. "Double the patrols. No one goes anywhere alone, especially Dalla. And we need to find out where Solveig is operating from—her base, her resources, her network. Everything."
Runes nods. "I'll talk to Tor. He’ll be the one who knows the most on how she operated, how she thought. It was... complicated." Something dark passes through his eyes, a history I don't fully understand. "But he might be able to give us some insight into how the daughter thinks. Where she might be hiding."
"There's something else." I hesitate, but this needs to be said. "The Krajncs. The Slovenian family in Dublin. My father called yesterday—they've been quiet, but he thinks they're planning something. We might be dealing with threats on two fronts."
"Gods." Runes rubs a hand over his face. "It never fucking ends."
"Da says he's handling it. The Mackenzies have resources in Dublin. But he warned me to stay sharp here." I glance at Dalla, who's gone quiet, her hand pressed to her stomach. "Are you okay?"
"Fine." She doesn't look fine. She looks pale and slightly green around the edges. "Just tired. And nauseous."
"When did you last eat?"
"I don't remember. Yesterday, maybe?" She shakes her head. "It's just stress. I'll be fine."
I'm not convinced, but this isn't the time to push it.
We have bigger problems.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
Da's number.
"I need to take this."
I step out into the hallway, answering on the second ring. "Da. What's happening?"
"It's done." His voice is rough, tired. "The Krajncs made their move last night. We were ready for them."
"How bad?"
"Bad enough. We lost two men. They lost twelve." A pause. "Their leadership is gone, RJ. The family is finished. They won't be bothering anyone again."
Relief floods through me, followed immediately by grief for the men we lost.
Two Brotherhood soldiers, dead because of a feud that had nothing to do with them.
"I'm sorry about our lads."
"So am I. But it's over. That side of things, at least." Da's voice sharpens. "How are things there? You sound tense."
"We've identified the local threat. A woman named Solveig—daughter of someone the club dealt with over thirty years ago. She's been running the trafficking operation, and she's got her sights set on Dalla."
"Revenge?"
"Looks like it. Her mother was killed by the MC president. Now she wants to return the favor."
Da is quiet for a moment. "You need backup? I can send men."
"Not yet. We're still figuring out where she's operating from. But I might take you up on that once we have a target."
"Whatever you need. Just say the word." He pauses. "And RJ? Don't let your feelings cloud your judgment. I know you care about this girl?—"
