“Because of my Da’s personal deal,” Alexander said, “we keep our supply to the minimum of what the government needs. All we would have to offer you is not even half of what you’re asking for.”
Not even half for this man’s,this father’s, personal deal. I happened to agree with Mr. MacGregor—it was a technically that was too close to his son’s life, and more than that, this was something Mr. MacGregor was going to have to live with. But this wasn’t my decision to make. I could already tell Keenan was going to agree to it. At this point, weapons were weapons, and they needed them.
Keenan’s anxious eyes were on Cian, and Cian’s eyes were on me. I turned my face, staring at the cases, letting my husband know this deal was between him and Keenan, but I had a feeling he already knew how I felt. But I also didn’t want to be the reason he lost this chance, or the reason for any bad blood between him, Keenan, and Fiona. They wanted this war as much as Cian did.
The grip my husband had on my hand became harder, and then we were all standing. Cian nodded toward Mr. MacGregor, and the next thing I knew, we were rushing through the castle, going for the door. Keenan and Fiona followed. Earlier, my dad had told me no matter how the meeting went, he was going to stay behind for a while. Keenan left Mr. MacGregor with a warning from Cian:Anything happens to Pauric, there will be no deals to be made with the O'Callaghans that will save you on earth.
Outside, I felt a tension brewing between Cian and Keenan.
Keened paced while we waited for Henry and the SUV. He stopped abruptly and stared at Cian.
“Weapons are weapons, no matter how many. We needed them!”
Cian shook his head. “The deal MacGregor made is bigger than ours.”
“You think the weapons might be cursed, Cian?” Fiona asked.
Cian shrugged. “Doesn’t feel right in my gut to take ’em.”
“In your gut?” Keenan questioned. “Or your wife’s heart?”
“Same difference.”
Keenan made a gruff noise and started pacing again.
Cian’s eyes stilled on a dark figure in the distance making his way toward us. As he grew closer, his build and features came into focus. He was the spitting image of Cian’s cousin, the singing man in Derry, Killian. The new man was dressed in a tux, and like my husband and Killian, he cut a fine figure.
“Cillian,” the man said. “Or I hear you’re goin’ by your true name these days. Cian. I’d prefer to call you as I knew you, though.”
My husband and this man were around the same height, and they shared similar features, but the one that stood out the most was the dangerous vibe they both emitted. Neither one was going to challenge the other to a sing-off any time soon, that was for sure.
“Cashel,” Cian greeted the man, and they shook. Cian introduced me to him, and then to Keenan and Fiona.
“Cash’ll do,” he said to us. Then he met Cian’s eyes. “I know why you’re here, but I’m sure you know now that MacGregor flies straight when it comes to arms. I’m the man you’re looking for. I have what you need—and in return for a price that’s just fuckin’ grand.”
“Who?” Keenan stepped up. His eyes were bright, but his tone was a bit wary.
“I know a man who knows a man deep inside the Russian government.” Cash glanced at Cian. “He can get the weapons at an excellent cost. And unlike so manyfamiliesin America, he doesn’t give a fuck about your name.”
“Oh, ya.” Keenan spit on the ground. “What does he care about then?”
“My word,” Cash said. “Because it’ll be my arse on the line if the money isn’t there.”
“How much?” Cian asked.
Fiona moved forward a little, interested, or maybe holding her breath.
Cash came back with an absurd amount of money, but Cian, Keenan, and Fiona didn’t even flinch at it. They almost seemed more excited. Money was never Cian’s issue. It was that Oran had everyone in Boston and beyond on lock when it came to these kinds of deals. Cian was a new shark in a massive pond that Oran had run for years, and his business was worth more than Cian’s because he’d been around longer. It seemed like Oran had a knack when it came to knowing who to screw over and who not to.
“He doesn’t care about the O'Callaghan name then?” Keenan asked.
“Nothing wrong with the O'Callaghan name,” Cash said. “I’ve vouched for this.”
“Price is right,” Cian said. “What’s in this for you?”
Cash’s smile came slow. “You’re aware I have my own issues with Craig. My brother-in-law is in deep with him now. Something happens to him, my wife doesn’t forgive me.”
Cian thought about this and nodded.
