“Not my problem.” She walks around to her bar, brows furrowed at the lack of Scotch.I’ll have to replace that.“This trial is strength—a show of it. Show us how you can kill our enemy, even when all eyes are watching.”
I smile despite my attempts to remain cool. I’m excited at the prospect of finally ending the life of the man who killed my childhood.
I’ve spent my entire life frightened of Senior. Of when he’d come into my room. Of when he’d give me to the next customer. Of his hands, his belt. Now I’m an adult and I want to repay everything done to me.
I’vedreamedof this chance for revenge.
“Rules?” I ask, shifting my weight.
Killian tilts his head, watching me. He knows I’m planning something. “Anything goes. You can take the hit or hire out. But if you fail, you lose this trial. If you get arrested, you’re on your own. If you bring any scrutiny to this clan,” he lowers his voice, watching the men around us, “then you deal with me. No fucking prison will keep you safe from me.”
“Sounds fun,” Ethan says, rubbing his head. “What is this guy’s deal anyway? At this point, it’s just annoying.”
“He wants me.” Maeve sips from her glass, scanning me. “If he gets Collins, he gets an alliance, and he thinks I’ll drop to my knees for him.”
Finn smirks, shaking his head.
I notice it, but so does Killian. Walking close, he bends down into his face, knife already pulled. He presses it to his throat, making sure to nick him. “Find something humorous, Finley?”
The man sobers up. “Nothing.” The energy is off with that one.
Taking her seat behind the large desk, Maeve clears her throat. “Simon is also gone.”
I cut Killian with another glare. Really, man?He told her that too?
The reaper at least smirks, shoving Finn away and winks at me. Going back to his corner, I flip him off. Ethan raises his hand and Maeve rolls her eyes.This guy.
“Where’d he go?”
“He’s dead,” she tells him.
“Who killed him?” Finn asks.
I open my mouth just as Killian cuts him off. “Idid.”
Brows furrowed, I snap my mouth shut and stare, dumbfounded. Why is he taking the kill? I did it in the moment of rage—during the need to avenge Collins. Why would Killian claim to do it?
Finn sits back, the leather couch cradling him. “Any particular reason why?”
Killian smirks. “None that I need to tell you, Finley.”
“Regardless,” Maeve interrupts, “we’re out a doctor. Collins will be the one you see if anyone is injured going further. But only,” she taps the desk, “in my presence or with Killian or Hayes. My rules still stand—you do not see her alone. You do not corner her in the med lab. If I find out you’ve been to see her without one of us, I’llkillyou myself.”
Now Maeve’s rules make sense. She did everything in her power to keep Collins safe at home.
Ethan gulps loudly. “What if we’re naked?”
She gives him a bored look. “It’s not anything I haven’t seen before, Ethan.”
Finn smirks wide at that and I shudder, the look in his eyes giving the creeps. I’m not sure why, but something about him sets off warning bells. It’s a primal reaction, too intense to accurately describe. My hand falls to my gun.
Killian grabs something from the desk drawer beside Maeve, shoulders brushing. It’s innocent enough—to anyone who doesn’t know their history. But I do. And I see his yearning breaking through that soulless gaze as Maeve huffs.
I want to interfere—but it’s between them. Maeve can handle it, and I need to keep my head for the next trial.
Standing in the middle, the reaper holds out three golden handles. Stepping closer, I inspect one of them and smirk. “What, sticks were too old-fashioned?”
He twirls a dagger between his forefinger and thumb. “I thought this would fit better.”
