Most terrifying to see is Ethan, Cameron’s son and the clan’s enforcer. He’s known as the Angel of Death in our world and he’s idly flipping a stiletto without looking at it. The silver blade flashing up, then his scarred fingers catching the handle as it falls. Up, and down.
We are not invited to take a seat, so we stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.
The silence stretches out like my nerves, strung taut and feeling like piano wire, ready to snap. I used to love this room, dusting all the books lining the enormous walnut shelves, the brightly colored oriental rugs and the floor to ceiling windows looking out on Mala’s garden. It’s a huge space, but right now, the walls feel like they’re too close, looming over us.
Mom takes my hand and I squeeze hers reassuringly. “It’ll be okay,” I whisper.
“Keep your mouth closed, lass.” Ethan leans forward, spearing me with a cold gaze. “It’s not your time to talk.”
The door to the outside finally opens, held by Miss Kevin, the Chieftain’s personal assistant. Their silver-blonde bob is perfectly sculpted and their suit is without a single wrinkle, even though it has to be close to midnight. They give me a kind smile and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from crying. I never thought I could feel so grateful for a smile. Before I can return it, Michael and his father walk in before Miss Kevin gently closes the door again.
God, I wish Miss Kevin could have stayed. That there was one person in the room who didn’t think we deserved to die.
Michael and the Chieftain seat themselves on another sofa in the grouping around the fireplace, and all of the MacTavishes stare at us. My eyes frantically dart from person to person, I can’t read any of them. I used to think I was good at that, being able to tell if someone’s telling the truth or lying, if they really liked me or if they were faking it to get close to Maisie.
Maisie.
Oh, god. She’s going to hate me now. Somehow, that hurts worse than anything else.
“Ye have violated the MacTavish oath of loyalty,” the Chieftain says heavily. “Ye have caused considerable loss and the death of one of our guards.”
“Which one?” Mom bursts out. She knows them all.
“Riley,” Mala says, her tone frigid.
Riley is - was - only twenty-four.
“This is your one chance to tell us everything, before we make a decision,” the Chieftain continues. A flash of fury goes across his face like a lightning strike. “Why would ye do this?”
“First, before anything, please know Sophie is innocent,” Mom says, trying to regain her composure. “She didn’t know anything about this, none of this is her fault. I only told her today when I knew-” her face crumples. “When I knew you’d discovered it.”
“I’m…” Mom lifts her chin. “I’m Maureen Graves. Jonathan Graves’ wife. He was the head of the Graves Mafia in San Francisco.”
“What thehell?”Cameron growls. He looks at the Chieftain. “Ye brought a woman from another mafia into your household?”
Mala covers her mouth with one hand. “The Graves Syndicate. I remember them.”
“Jonathan was murdered twelve years ago,” Mom continues. “Along with…” her face twists with grief. “Along with my son, Jordan. I managed to get Sophie and disappear before they came for us.”
“Who was coming for ye?” the Chieftain asks coldly.
“It was Jonathan’s second in command. Robert Taylor,” she spat. “I never trusted him, even though Jonathan said he’d proved his loyalty.”
Cameron looks at the Chieftain and nods. “He runs the syndicate now. I remember when Graves was killed. We thought his entire family was wiped out.”
“He nearly found us when I worked for the Amato family,” Mom says. “That’s when I found out you were hiring and thought well, where could be safer than with another mafia family?” She gives a little, hysterical-sounding laugh.
Is that why she’s always hated leaving the estate? I’d thought she was a little agoraphobic.
“Robert finally found us,” Mom says bitterly. “He caught me when I was out shopping in May. He told me to…” She starts crying again and I hand her the soggy dishtowel. “To find out some information for him, or he’d kidnap Sophie and take her back to the States. That he’d marry her to solidify his claim.”
Michael looks at me, just for a moment before returning his attention to Mom.
“He had pictures of her, at school, out with her friends. He knew where her dorm was.” I put my arm around her, feeling how fragile her shoulders are. When did she lose weight? Why didn’t I notice it?
“What did he ask for?” Cameron’s voice is neutral.
“He wanted to know about your shipping deals with the Matsumori Yakuza. He knew what docks they used. He wanted dates and times.”
