I swallow hard, feeling my throat tighten. “I know enough,” I say slowly. “I know Siobhan was killed because Rocco De Luca wanted to get to Ronan O’Malley. My father died of illness not long after. And I know Desmond was killed because he…” I take a breath. “He tried to kill Ronan and hurt his sister.”
“Your sister had an affair and was murdered while at her second home with her lover,” Connor says, his voice toneless. “Your brother tried to kidnap, forcibly marry, and rape Annie O’Malley and then tried to kill her, her brother, and the man who inherited from Rocco. Your family has done things that would see other names wiped clean from the board, their assets absorbed and their line ended.” He pauses, his gaze fixed heavilyon me. “But we’ve given you a second chance, Maeve. A marriage to prove that you are not like your family. That you can be trusted.”
The air feels heavy. I nod, forcing the words out carefully. “I appreciate it. Your… faith in me.”
“Tell me.” Liam cuts in. “Was the marriage consummated?”
My heartbeat feels too loud. I know that if they deigned to have me checked, I might not pass. But telling the truth now will only get Sean killed… and possibly me, too. “Yes,” I say, as firmly as I can manage.On our wedding night,I almost add, and then I remember what Sean said about not adding details unless necessary.
Liam’s gaze searches mine, as if looking for evidence of a lie. I force myself to hold it, to not let him see my fear. “And have you had intercourse since?”
I nod again, feeling my cheeks heat.That’s fine,I tell myself. A little embarrassment will help sell it. “Yes.”
“And no sign of pregnancy?” Connor cuts in, and my cheeks heat further. I shake my head.
“Not yet.”
“Shame. You’ll have to rail her harder this month, Flannery,” Brendan cuts in with a lascivious smirk, and Connor shoots him an icy look. He quiets down immediately.
“This threat,” Connor says, “is because of your husband’s failure. Or at least, we suspect it to be so. A job he didn’t complete adequately.” He looks at Sean, and then back at me. “Now, it seems this man has targeted you. And your husband wants backup to help finish his botched job.”
“If he failed, then I’m sure it was beyond the capability of anyone to finish it,” I say flatly. I feel Sean flinch next to me, and I see all the faces in the room go hard.
The room goes very quiet. I've said too much, I know I have, but I can't take it back. And I don't want to.
Connor's eyebrows rise. "Defending your husband, Mrs. Flannery?"
"Yes." I lift my chin. "He's protected me at every turn. He's kept me alive. Whatever happened with that job, he made the right choice."
"The right choice," Liam repeats, his voice mocking. "The right choice would have been to complete the assignment."
“He’s done nothing but keep me safe since?—”
"Maeve," Sean says quietly, and there's warning in his voice.
But Connor is watching me with something that might be approval. "You have spirit, Maeve. That's good. You'll need it."
He turns his attention to Sean. "We'll provide resources for tracking Brennan. But this is your mess to clean up, Flannery. You finish the job, or you face the consequences. Understood?"
"Understood," Sean says, his voice tight.
"And Maeve?" Connor looks at me again. "Brennan is targeting you to get to him. Stay close to Sean. Don't take risks. And don't underestimate what Brennan is capable of. He's already proven he'll use anyone—including his own family—as shields."
The words send ice through my veins. "I understand."
"Good. You're dismissed."
Sean's hand moves from my shoulder to my elbow, helping me stand. My legs are shaking, but I manage to walk to the door without stumbling.
We don't speak until we're outside, rain falling harder now, soaking through my coat. Flynn is waiting by the building, and he falls into step behind us as we walk back to the apartment. He hands Sean an umbrella, and Sean shakes it out, opening it to shield me from the rain.
The silence is heavy, loaded with everything that was said and everything that wasn't. I can feel Sean's anger radiating offhim in waves, and I don't know if it's directed at the Council, at me for speaking out, or at himself.
When we reach the apartment, Flynn excuses himself, saying he has some calls to make. I think he just wants to give us space.
Sean closes the door behind us and stands there, his back to me, his shoulders rigid.
"I'm sorry," I say quietly. "I shouldn't have spoken like that. I know I embarrassed you?—"
