My heart stopped.
A picture of Maeve.
She was in the pit with a guy twice her size. Ronan had sent it two minutes ago. I clicked the screen a few times to dial his number, eager to get him on the phone and find out what the fuck was going on. As it rang, I slung my gym bag over my shoulder and ran out of the gym doors. I didn’t say goodbye to Lorcan on my exit. My car was already running thanks to the remote start.
I slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut, tossing my bag carelessly into the backseat. I shifted into drive and peeled tires out of the gym parking lot, the backend fishtailing slightly with the force.
Ronan finally answered the call.
“Hey man, we’ve got a problem.”
“No shit,” I growled as I weaved in and out of traffic. “Why the fuck are you allowing her to stand in that ring?”
“You do know she isn’t supposed to know I’m here, right? Or did we forget that? And not to add fuel to the fire or anything, but the motherfucker had the gall to slap her ass, and I want no part of that fury,” Ronan said, slightly amused.
“Where the fuck is Orin?” I said, feeling a wave of fury wash over me.
“He’s standing on the edge of the crowd. You know he’ll step in if it’s needed.”
My grip on the steering wheel tightened reflexively. I didn’t care if he was right. She didn’t need to be in there. I clenched my teeth, trying to bite back the anger and the panic, and the pressure sent an ache all the way to my temple.
“Find a way to get her out of there, now. I’ll be there in five minutes,” I retorted. I was about to hang up when I heard the crowd “ooooh” in apparent astonishment, and Ronan cursed in my ear.
“What just happened?”
“Boss, I don’t think we will need to find a way to get her out,” he said, sounding shocked.“We may need to get a body bag.”
“Open the back door. I’m pulling up.” I hung up abruptly as I shifted the car into park, not caring about the fact that I’d most likely need a new gearbox after not coming to a complete stop before I parked it.
Sprinting to the door that just began to open, I could hear the crowd inside going feral. I climbed the stairs to the balcony to ensure she didn’t see me.
Maeve was straddling the man in the center of the ring, her fists flying relentlessly. He was motionless. Orin stepped up, placing his hand on her shoulder. Her punching ceased, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession as she seemed to realize where she was. I couldn’t quite see her face, but I could tell she was processing it all.
I whistled once, and Orin’s gaze shot up toward me. I nodded my head wordlessly, telling him we’d take care of this so he could get her out of here. She’d break down soon.
After they cleared the exit doors, Ronan and another one of our men stepped out from the crowd to collect the man from the ground. I descended the stairs, meeting them outside, where another of our men pulled up in an SUV. They tossed the body in the trunk space and slammed the door. Ronan walked over, his expression grave.
“What is it?” I questioned, my eyebrows furrowing at his expression.
All he did was hold out a wallet. I opened it to where the ID was visible, and I cursed.
Costa.
Fuck.
“He’s dead,” Ronan said, stating the obvious. I blew out a breath.
This was going to get messy.
We take our seats at the table. It takes all of my willpower not to launch myself at Liam and slit his throat. Maeve sits tall and confident next to me. No one would have guessed she was just reliving one of the worst moments of her life.
The smirk on Liam’s face as he looks her over has my blood boiling. I clear my throat, catching his attention. Disdain paints his face, but there’s a hint of fear there. I can’t help but grin as I look at him across the table. I hold his eyes as I lift Maeve's hand to my lips, planting a kiss on top. His eye twitches and his gaze shifts away. I continue to stare at him, relishing the knowledge that he’d soon pay dearly for his sins once this meeting is over. Once Maeve gets her hands on him.
“Why am I here?” Liam asks, trying to hide the fear lacing his voice. There’s a slight tremble poorly hidden while he waits for someone to speak. Every man in the room, aside from me, is sitting back in their seats. I release Maeve's hand to lace my fingers together, placing my arms on the table and leaning forward to make sure he can see the deadly sincerity in my eyes.
“Where is Nessa, Liam?” My voice is low. Cold. I feel everyone’s gaze shift to me. I have never called him by his first name before. As a young gun, I’d always been expected to demonstrate deference and respect to the older guys, and in our circle, that meant never using just first names. Liam looks offended and curious at the same time.
“I spoke with her around lunch. She said she was supposed to meet you for dress shopping,” he says, addressing Maeve instead of me.
