He spits blood at my boot. “You won’t get away with this.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I think I already did.”
“You can take me out, Ronan, but your reputation is fucked.”
“It will take a lot more than you to take down the Sullivan empire, Walsh. Besides, I can always rebuild a reputation. You, on the other hand, can’t come back from the dead, which is exactly what you’re going to be in precisely thirty seconds.”
“No one will trust you.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
His eyes briefly flick to where Brennan is restraining Finn. “I don’t think he agrees.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you think.” I pull back my leg and land a swift kick to Declan’s abdomen.
He groans, doubling over, but the sight brings little satisfaction.
“You’ve been a fucking pain in my ass foryears, Declan. Taking shots at my family, manipulating my men, and nowtrying to kidnap my wife. You have no idea how long I’ve waited to look you in the eye while you bled.”
Declan glares at me through gritted teeth. “You think killing me will fix anything?”
“No, but it will feel real fucking good.” I reach for my gun and click off the safety, aiming it right between his eyes. “Any last words?”
“Fuck you.”
I don’t hesitate as I pull the trigger.
The bullet punches through his forehead with a clean, dry snap.
His body jerks once before he goes still, and the silence that follows is thick and final but brings little relief.
I look down into his cold, dead eyes. “That’s for fucking with my family.”
Behind me, Finn is cursing as he struggles against Brennan’s hold. “You’re insane, Ronan! Do you really think this ends with him? He had a bigger plan.”
I turn around, breathing hard as I stalk back over to where Finn lies in the dirt. “You’re damn right I’m insane. And you’re going to tell meeverythingabout that plan, or I’ll make sure the time you have left on this land is as painful as can be.”
Finn laughs, but it’s bitter and full of loathing. “You’ve already lost, Ronan. You just don’t know it yet.”
“I’ve heard that before. But so far, the only thing I’ve lost tonight is patience.”
Brennan glares down at him, his gun still aimed at Finn’s chest. “You could have saved everyone a lot of trouble if you’d just stayed dead.”
“I’ll die before I help you.”
I shrug. “Trust me, that can easily be arranged.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
CIARA
I thinkI must be getting immune to death.
I’ve watched the man I love kill two people tonight, and yet instead of fear, a strange calm washes over me.
He kills without hesitation because I matter more to him than keeping his hands clean.
Ronan isn’t just the man I married; he’s the man Ineed. He is my rock amidst the chaos of this world. Without him, I’m not sure I would survive.
