‘Locked every exit. Cut the alarms. Tied your bodyguard up with cables upstairs. That way he’ll hear your dying screams and know that he failed before he joins you in hell.’ He makes a point of checking his watch. ‘In about seven minutes, this place goes up like kindling.’
My pulse slams violently.
Bodyguard. Not bodyguards, plural. Is there a chance Felstead and Nico made it out of the building? If they did, and they return to find the doors locked, they’ll break me out? Won’t they? My hands hover protectively over my stomach.
‘Why?’ I choke.
‘Because.’ He tilts his head. ‘You, princess, were the easiest to get to. You’re also how I get them all in one place. Iwould have preferred to start with Scarlett, my darling step-daughter, but your brother’s place is like Fort Knox. This, on the other hand, was too easy. And I thought it was rather poetic—all this glass. Kind of like the cage your family put me in for the past five years. Child’s play, really. I want them to watch when I burn down not only the next generation of Becketts…’ His eyes home in on my bump again. ‘The following generation too. I told you it was a blessing.’
My mind flashes back to the day I gave the mad fucker money to feed his dog. I assumed he meant my baby was a blessing to me. He meant for him. Another Beckett to take out.
Vomit lurches up my throat, but I force it back down.
He wants my family to come.
He wants them to watch.
Oh God, and Cole.
He’s already on his way.
No. No. No.
‘You won’t get away with this, you know.’
‘I don’t plan to.’ He flicks the lighter again. ‘I’m staying right here with you, princess. I want a first row seat on your trip to hell. And I’m taking as many Becketts with me as possible.’ The grin that lifts his lips is fucking terrifying. ‘I set a little delayed incendiary ticking under your server rack. When it pops, this building turns into a fireball—and anyone stupid enough to rush in to save you gets taken out with it. Your brothers, your staff, your boyfriend. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this moment. Years staring at a blank wall in a shitty cell. You can probably tell.’
The man is a fucking psycho.
My phone vibrates violently on my desk—Killian again.
‘We’ll let that ring out,’ he says smoothly. ‘Wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.’
He steps closer.
‘Now,’ he purrs, reaching into the slim tool case. ‘Be a good girl and put these on.’
When he pulls out the cable ties, my blood goes cold.
Chapter Forty-Seven
COLE
It seemed pointless rushing home when Zara was meeting a client after hours, which is why I’m at my office at the new Hartmann Hotel. I let Belle clock off for the day. She’s enjoying our stay in Dublin, taking in the sights after work each evening—especially the sight of the scruffy musician she’s been dating for the past three weeks. There’s no accounting for taste, but maybe, just maybe, she’ll agree to stay on here with me when this project is complete, because the thought of having to train up someone else to step into her shoes is unbearable.
The construction crew has gone home for the night. After putting up with so much noise all day, it’s almost eerily quiet.
Gabriel is patrolling around somewhere; other than that, it’s just me and my thoughts.
I reach into my top drawer and pull out a bottle of whiskey. Becketts Gold.
Zara was right.
It’s the best whiskey I’ve ever tasted, even though it kills me to admit it. I pour myself a double and stalk towards the floor to ceiling window overlooking the city below. I can seewhy my father loved it here. I wish he could see me now. See what I’ve built. Not just professionally, but personally too.
I have a family.
My brain loops back to my mother. I called her yesterday. Told her I have a surprise for her. I didn’t tell her that surprise is that I have a pregnant girlfriend. I can’t wait to see her face next weekend. Even if it does mean enduring Doug the douche.
