Brennan looks between us. “All right, that’s enough.”
I’m already closing the distance between myself and Kieran as my rage starts to overtake logic. “If you want the seat, be my guest.”
Kieran’s nostrils flare as he steps toward me until our noses are practically touching. “I’m not saying I want it. I’m saying you’re stretched too thin, Ronan. You’re burning out. You’ve got a mole inside your crew and a war outside your doors, and on top of that, you’re losing your damn mind over Ciara.”
“Leave her out of this.”
“You’ve got your head so far up your ass trying to protect her that you’re making mistakes. You’re unfocused, and it’s costing us.”
Before I can think, my hands are on Kieran, and I’m shoving him backward against the countertop.
He bares his teeth as challenge flashes in his eyes. His hands push against my chest, but I take the opportunity to sink my fingers into his shirt, and I gear up to slam my head into his nose.
Brennan forces himself between us. “That’s enough!”
Kieran barely acknowledges Brennan’s presence and tries to sidestep him, but our youngest brother doesn’t back down.
He puts both of his hands out, driving a wedge between us. “Stop it, both of you.”
Kieran and I are both breathing hard, our eyes locked on one another like two bulls ready to charge.
Brennan turns to look at me. “You’re our brother, Ronan, as well as our boss… But Kieran’s not wrong about one thing. You’re doing everything yourself, and it’s not sustainable.”
I swipe a hand through my hair, exhaling hard. “You think I don’t know that?”
Brennan’s eyes stay on me. “Then let us help. Letmehelp.”
Silence stretches between us again until my shoulders sag, and I turn my back on Kieran to take a seat on the couch.
It’s past midnight, and I know Ciara will be asleep, but I want nothing more than to call her.
Right now, her voice is the only one I want to listen to.
“Ronan?”
I blink out of my thoughts to see Cormac watching me with quiet curiosity.
I rest my forearms on my knees. “Lorcan said the same thing.”
Brennan frowns. “You spoke to Lorcan?”
I nod. “He came to the house this morning.”
Was it really only this morning? My body feels like lead from the fatigue, and I desperately need a shower, but those things will have to wait a while longer.
“And?” Kieran comes to perch on the arm of the couch. The thunder is still in his eyes, but his curiosity about our uncle’s sudden appearance seems to be getting the better of him.
“He informed me that people are questioning whether I’m in over my head, and that perhaps taking over the family business was too much, too soon.”
“Well, who else was going to do it?” Cormac frowns. “Lorcan?”
I shrug.
“Lorcan has a point,” Kieran mutters under his breath.
“You think I don’twantto delegate? In case you need reminding, I’ve been forced into this war. I’ve been reacting because I’ve had no goddamn choice.”
Brennan folds his arms as he leans against the mantle, surveying each of us in turn. “Then let’s take the next move off the board. We need to find the mole because whoever it is, they’ve got Declan’s ear.”
