“Yes.”
“You know how he treats women, Maeve.”
“I know.”
“Kids,” I stress.
Her eyes narrow. “Iknow.” Of course, she does. She saw what they did to me.
I don’t miss Killian’s pleased smirk. He likes it when we fight.Jealous dick.
It’s not my fault that I was here when he wasn’t. It’s not my fault that he chose to follow Ferguson’s calls, instead of staying beside Maeve when she needed him most.
There’s a pause, Maeve’s jaw clenching as she battles back whatever demon that wants to overtake her. “I wouldn’t give her to him,” she relents. “But I have to be smart about it. There’s too much going on to allow this to fuck everything up.”
I take in the dark bags under her eyes, and the anxious movements of her fingers. She’s on edge and not sleeping, which doesn’t bode well for anyone within hitting distance.
“Okay, tell Bruno that O’Brien doesn’t deal in kids.” I kick the edge of her desk much to her annoyance. “You wouldn’t want to be a part of that. Especially given everything you’ve endured.”Given everythingwe’vegone through.
Killian shifts, flipping the black claw knife in his hands. When did he pull that?“Easy.”
“Piss off, reaper. You’re not even supposed to be here.”
Killian chuckles. “Someone is in his big boy feelings today.”
I have the strongest urge to pull my gun as I plant my fists on Maeve’s desk, and glare at the man in the back. I love to annoy him, but fuck, he can give it back.
Maeve stands, placing her cup gently onto the desk. Moving to stand in front of me, she’s nothing more than a shadow in this room of ripped wallpaper and empty bookcases.
Since taking over, the first thing she did was destroy the office that her father adored. The desk has been replaced, and the office chair is gone. Everything is barren, even the floor.
There’s a red tinge where the carpet used to be. Old, spilled blood.
“We both know how I feel about his business.”Murderous, I’d wager. Maeve can’t stomach seeing kids hurt. “But we have a huge problem if we just say no.”
“Such as?”
“I don’t have asecond, Hayes,” she says tiredly. “By just saying no, Bruno has more resources. He can attack out of retribution. And then Collins, Sloane, hell, Briar will be at risk. Without a second, I’m vulnerable.”
“Okay, fine,” I say, lips pressing firm. “We can fix that. Make me your second and we’ll figure out a way to handle this together.”
Like we did as kids. Figuring out life, the world, as we navigated criminal operations and past hurts. There wasn’t anyone else more loyal than me.
Except for the reaper. He growls behind her chair, “You think you have the balls to protectMaeve? Thisclan, if she goes down?” His soulless eyes glare at me, rage flicking in their depths at my audacity. “You think you’veearnedthat spot?”
“More so than others,” I retort. “Some of us didn’t run with our tail between our legs when things got rough. Some of usstayed.”
That pisses Linwood off. A muscle bounces by his ear, and his teasing smile goes dangerously sharp. I’ve known the killer for years, only doing a handful of jobs together. I’ve seen that bloodthirsty side, and the unhinged rabid dog kept at bay by whatever leash someone was able to throw on him.
Now, there is no leash. And he looks ready to kill.
“Enough,” Maeve commands, sitting on her desk. “If you want to be second, you’ll have a chance to compete.”
That knocks me out of my staring contest with the reaper. “Compete? Fuck, Maeve, you’re not doing?—”
“The Games?” Her eyes flash with dry amusement. “I am. It’s an old tradition and hasn’t been done in a few decades, but it’s better than dealing with any strife.”
“We both know if you choose me, there wouldn’t be any issues.” There wouldn’t. I’m an arrogant fuck, but the clan respects me. An orphan who came in as a runner and built my way up at Maeve’s side? I already have an in.
