"You're leaving?"
"Yes."
"When will you come back?"
"Not sure," I say, and continue walking toward the door.
"How long do I have to stay here?"
"As long as I decide," I say.
"Okay but," her voice cracks, "I gave you that."
I stop and turn around.
"You did. And I've given you a bed, food, and clothes. We're even."
I turn back toward the door.
"Outside," she says, and I can hear the shakiness in her voice. "You have a pool."
"Yes," I say, not turning back.
"Can I go for a swim? Just once?" she asks, and clears her throat. "I haven't been in one since I was nine, when my mom took me to the community center before it closed. I won't try and run or anything, I promise. I just want to feel the water."
I don't say anything.
I walk out and shut the door behind me, the lock clicking into place.
Tommy is waiting in the hallway.
"Sir?"
"Keep her in there," I say. "Keira and Declan are on their way. When they arrive, bring them to my office."
"Understood."
I head downstairs, the map burning a hole in my pocket.
If this proves useful, she'll get what she wants.
And I don't know if that feeling should bother me or not.
20
CALLUM
Isit at my desk, waiting. I soon hear my siblings coming down the hall. The map is in my pocket. Zaria's voice in my head. And now they are here.
The doors to my office swing open. Declan walks in, followed by Keira, and Octavian waits outside talking to some of my men.
"They are trying to fucking drown us," Declan says, his voice already elevated. "Everything. Why the hell did we allow ourselves to get into this position again?"
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stave off the headache building behind my eyes.
"We just need to think," I say.
"Well, do it fast," Keira says. "Because the zoning office not only shut down two of our builds, but apparently the city tax authority decided the Killaney Trust owes four million in back licensing fees. They sent a certified letter to my office," she says, tossing the letter on my desk. "Four million, Cal."
