“He’s on you, Ace.” His eyes flicker over me briefly, before returning to her.This is Ace?The one my father was always cursing out? “One screw-up, one mistake, and it’s both of you. Hear me?”
She nods, but doesn’t respond. What else is there to say?
Ferguson pushes past us, conversation finished. Men move out of his way as he exits, the respect they have for him only overpowered by the fear of his brutality. I’ve heard the rumors—I know what kind of man Ferguson is. That’s why I knew he’dtake me in. He only employs kids to run his drugs and guns—they’re easy to train, and if they get caught,oh well. There are always more to take their place.
Kids are eager. Kids are easy to replace. Kids don’t matter to the mobster.
Killian steps closer, inhaling deeply. “You smell like a little rich boy. Wearing nice clothes, expensive shoes. Such a pretty boy in a not so pretty place. Why is that?”
The girl steps between us again, shoving the boy aside with strong arms. He moves a step, a slight unhinged edge to his smirk as she plants her feet.
“Backoff, Linwood.”
“Aren’t you curious about him, Maeve?” He scans her before looking back at me. That smile drips with poison. “Why would the rich kid want to be a part of the dirty clan? How could this bebetterthan the comforts of his home?”
“No.” She stands taller, daring the older boy to say more. “He’ll earn his place just like everyone else.”
Killian moves, a snake slithering in the grass but Maeve doesn’t blink. Her face is devoid of emotions but it’s the strength behind those eyes that catches me. She’s not afraid of him, and won't be swayed by him. She’s a boulder to his storm and she remains resolute.
“Don’t you at least want to know who he is,Princess?”
Maeve narrows her eyes as I gulp loudly. Killian is a fearsome kid but what makes him dangerous is he knows who I am. I can see it as clearly as the grimy layer of dust on the bar shelves behind us.
He knows who I am—whatI am.I’m toast.
“What’s your name?”
I hesitate briefly. “Hayes.”
Her lips twitch as Killian glares murderously. “See? Now, I know his name.” She gestures for me to follow her to the exit.“Come with me. I’ll get you settled at the house behind us. All the kids get room and board for as long as they run for us.”
I take a step before Killian’s hand flies out, connecting with my chest, stopping me from leaving his side. This close, my body shudders at the violent twisting of his eyes. They look dead far away, but up close? They’re a maelstrom of emotions.
He’s a live wire, ready to go off with very little reason.
“I know who you are,Prince,”he growls, watching Maeve’s retreating figure. “I know who your father is.” Black eyes look at me and I freeze. “If you’re a rat—I’ll find out. If you do anything to harm this clan—I’ll be the one to end you. But if you do anything to jeopardizeher?I will leave you on your father’s porch, a bloody mess with a note nailed into your chest, and let him finish the fucking job.”
Licking my bottom lip, I nod once, hiding my fear. “I’m not a rat.”
He glares. “We’ll see about that.”
1
HAYES
6 MONTHS AGO
Wiping my hands off on the rag, I watch my oldest friend, Maeve O’Brien, curl into her chair like a panther, body soaked in blood.
Her face is splattered, like a warrior wearing the remains of her enemies. I’m no better. We’re covered in Dominic De Luca’s blood and it drips off of us in thick lines. It should turn my stomach, but it doesn’t.
This is clan life.
A few nights ago, Dom branded Sloane, Maeve’s little sister, when he tried to overthrow his cousin, Alessio, for the right to rule the De Luca family. He thought she belonged to him—he thought if he took Sloane, and killed Lex, then he could have the alliance Maeve bartered with the De Luca’s old Capo, his father, Nico. He was greedy—and fuckingstupid.
There are stories told about the grudges Maeve will hold, and the retribution she will enact on anyone who crosses her or her family.
This torture? This brand of violence? It’s penance for his slight against the O’Brien clan.
