Chapter Forty-Three
RONAN
I callan emergency meeting with my brothers in the private upstairs room atThe Blackthornso we can discuss how to approach this situation.
This web of secrets is becoming tangled, and somehow Ciara’s brother is at the center.
If I knew it wouldn’t destroy Ciara, I’d take him out in an instant. But their blood runs deeper than betrayal. Even after everything Callum has kept from her, I know she won’t want him dead.
I, on the other hand, want nothing more than to put a bullet in his skull and call it a day.
I enterThe Blackthornthrough the back entrance, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself than necessary, and take the stairs to the private meeting room. It’s not lost on me that the last time my brothers and I were all here was after we put our father in the ground. But I don’t have time to focus on the wave of grief that floods me as I walk in with Cormac trailing behind me.
Kieran is already pacing around the room when I get there, his jaw tight and a storm blazing in his eyes. Brennan isseated at one of the tables, his eyes tracking Kieran’s movements as if waiting for him to explode.
When Cormac and I enter, Kieran pauses and immediately folds his arms over his chest.
“So, we agree that this was a hit.”
I briefed my brothers on the situation before making the drive into the city, not wanting to waste time on explaining the details in person.
Max might have been a nobody to me, but the fact that he’s dead mere hours after being in contact with Ciara turns my blood cold. Time doesn’t seem to be on my side, and I need to get this taken care of before whoever it is decides to come after my wife.
I nod. “Yes. Max is dead, and Mila is missing, which makes me think this wasn’t a random attack. This was personal.”
Brennan drums his fingers against the wooden tabletop. “Message received loud and clear. But who do you think sent it?”
“Callum.” There is no doubt in my mind.
“Are you sure?” Cormac asks as he takes a seat at the table beside Brennan.
“The mystery offshore account, which has all of the payments our father made, is in his name. Ciara had this Max guy track the money trail down.”
“This is the guy who’s now dead?” Kieran scoffs as he shakes his head. “Fuck, he sounds like he would have been useful to have on the payroll. Ciara would have done well to go to you first, brother.”
“What are you trying to imply?”
Kieran simply shrugs, which only adds to my darkening mood.
My hands ball into fists. “This is not Ciara’s fault.”
“Try telling that to this Max guy.”
“It makes sense that Callum’s behind this,” Cormac chimes in before it can get any more heated between Kieran and me. “He has a clear motive behind not wanting this information to get out.”
Brennan shakes his head. “Too late.”
Cormac frowns. “But why would he go to the trouble of taking Mila?”
Brennan shrugs. “To lure Ciara away?”
Kieran scoffs. “It’s a fucking roundabout way of doing things. But then again, Callum never seemed like the brightest spark.”
Cormac lounges back in his chair and rests an arm on the table, the picture of ease. “Whatever the reason is, what do we do about him?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “We bring him in.”
“And if he doesn’t want to talk?”
