She rips the blade out of the desk, cursing. “Mother fucker.”
Turning to Killian, she commands, “Find the rat.”
“Want me to kill him?”
“No. I want the honors.”
Winking, he says, “Whatever you want, Princess.”
Looking at me, she jerks her head. “Killian said he told you about what I did to Senior. Are we good, you and I?”
She doesn’t look scared. Hell, she doesn’t look apologetic either. She just waits for my judgement.
Whatever I say won’t change how she feels about it. She knows what she did was shitty, honor among criminals and all that, but she won’t apologize for saving Collins.
She can rage, threaten to sell Collins off to Bruno, give into that demon and spite but now I know; she’d never do it. She’d never allow her sister to be broken by that family and ratting out Senior just proves it.
“You did it for Collins,” I point out. “You saved her from a horrible fate. It’s justified.”
She inhales deeply, shoulders drooping. “Good.”
“What’s next?” I ask. “What’s our plan?”
“We’ll find the leak.” She points to Killian and herself. “In the meantime, do not let Collins out of your sight. Do not tell anyone what you’re doing. I don’t need anything getting back to Roman and risking her.”
Not like I’m ever far from her. Collins and I have seamlessly blended our lives together like two pieces of a puzzle finding their home.
“And you have a trial to prepare for.” Killian crosses his arms, the tattoo on his neck pulling taunt. “Better get ready. I don’t see either of those two killing Senior.”
That almost sounds like a compliment.
“I’m on it,” I promise. “No one is getting Collins with me there.”
I’ll cut out Roman’s heart if he tries again. No one gets what’s mine.
Maeve’s lips twitch as if to smile. “I know. That’s why I know she’s safe with you.”
That’s another compliment for the books.Things are getting too weird.
Nodding at them both, I hunt the mansion for my fiancée before we start a group hug.
39
HAYES
Time passes in a blur. The contestants get twenty-four hours to do the trial and another twenty-four to see if Senior lives. Then a day to prep. During that time, I followed Collins around her rounds—the new instructor’s nice and hands-off. Apparently, my girl’s reputation for being intelligent is enough to make this doctor give her free range in the ER.
It’s amazing to watch her work. The care, the dedication, and how she solves the crisis without breaking a sweat. She’s a work of art, something I can stare at, be mesmerized by.
While she cares for patients, I set up my plan with Briar. He’s all too happy to help—he knows Senior is gunning for his sisters and the kid isn’t happy about it. I’m just lucky he’s on our side.
Finn fails to kill Senior. I’m on my way to my room after an intense boxing session, sweat dripping off my brow, shirt soaked. Killian stops me, a hand slapping my chest, peering in the opposite direction. His lips barely move.
“Botched prison jump. The rival gang couldn’t land a hit. Too much protection. Ethan’s up.”
He doesn’t say anything else, continuing on as if he didn’t just assist me.
Why is he helping me? The guy hates me—yet he’s dropping bits of information I can use to win.
