“Try again.”
“I already left a message.”
“That’s not good enough. He should be here,now.”
I bristle at Kieran’s tone.
What does he expect me to do? Get on a plane right now and drag our brother back with me?
“We don’t even know if he’s seen the news yet.”
Kieran stands up again, and tension rolls off him in waves. “He should have answered. This is our fucking father, Ronan.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Then why do you look like you don’t give a shit?”
I step toward him until there’s barely an inch between us.
We might be of similar height, but the look in my eyes should be enough to remind Kieran who’s in charge now.
“Because falling apart doesn’t help anyone. Do you think Da would want us screaming in a hospital hallway in plain view?”
Kieran opens his mouth to argue but closes it almost immediately as he lets out a long breath through his nose.
Brennan steps in. “We need to be smart. Everyone’s going to come sniffing around after this, both rivals and allies alike. And don’t get me started on the fucking press.”
“They’re a bunch of vultures,” Kieran mutters.
I nod. “Which is why we need to move fast. We need to keep our people in line to show that this hasn’t fractured us.”
“And who’s leading that front?” Kieran’s tone is as sharp as a blade.
“I am.”
The words leave my mouth without hesitation. Not because I want our father’s crown, but because someone has to wear it.
And as much as I wish I could take the time to mourn my father, no one else is as ready as I am for this, so it’s up to me.
Brennan might be logical, but he’s young and inexperienced,and Kieran acts first and thinks later. Then there’s Cormac…
I doubt even our father’s death will be enough to bring him back to New York.
I exhale deeply as I glance over to where Lorcan’s standing at the window, looking like a ghost.
He’d be entitled to fight me for the top position, and I could be tempted to give it to him, but from the distant look in his eyes, I can tell he’s questioning whether this is a life he wants to keep on living.
I look each of my brothers in the eye. “I’m taking over. At least, until Cormac gets here and the dust settles.”
“You really think you’re ready for that?” Lorcan finally says.
I look back over at him to meet his gaze. “I’ve been ready since the day my father started training me.”
A beat of silence passes between us before he nods once.
Brennan looks from him to me. “You’re the only one who can pull this off.”
I clap my youngest brother on the shoulder. “I appreciate your confidence.”
