“I already checked and they flew in yesterday.” Daire fell back in his chair and sighed. “That doesn’t mean they couldn’t have influenced our soldiers from Ireland, though. They know a few of the guys over here.”
“Do you think Ronan could question them subtly?” Fionn asked.
I shook my head. “No. The soldiers are already suspicious of him. They’re being careful what they say around him. If we want to get any deeper into this, we’d need to find a new spy, someone the traitors wouldn’t expect.” I held up a hand. “And before you suggest it, Fallon, Cillian, Rowen, and Aspen aren’t an option. Everyone knows they’re loyal to Sloan.”
Fionn chuckled. “I know. They’re the last people who’d betray us.”
I stroked my chin in thought. “What about Senan or Kyran? They’re here now, so we might as well use them. Have them spy for us?”
“We don’t know if Tiernan is the one behind this. It could be Kyran or Senan, too,” Daire said. “We can’t trust any of them.”
“Fuck.” I fell back against the seat. “There are other guys, right?”
“Yeah, but we don’t know who’s against us and who isn’t. While some are vocal, others are lying low, watching from the shadows.” Fionn exhaled roughly. “I didn’t want to cause this many issues.”
I sent him a frown. “This has nothing to do with you, Fionn, and everything to do with those traitorous vermin. The moment Sloan was out of the picture, they started whispering in the hallways. They’re testing our strength.”
“Exactly, that’s why we need to make an example out of someone.” Daire stood and stretched. “Anyone want a drink?”
“It’s eight in the morning, Daddy,” Fionn drawled. “Don’t start that habit.”
Daire chuckled. “I’m not getting alcohol, boy. I’m going to call the maids to bring us some coffee.” He walked around behind Fionn, and as if it was instinctual, Fionn leaned back in the chair so Daire could swoop down and kiss him upside down.
I watched, hollow loneliness spreading through my chest. I missed Sloan’s lips on mine, his warmth pressed against me. My teeth clenched and I tore my gaze away from Fionn and Daire. Sloan would be out of jail soon. I trusted his lawyers and the people on our payroll to make all the charges go away.
A painful throb hit me in the middle of my head and I let out a groan.
Daire straightened. “Sir, are you all right?”
“He’s not. I offered to call Rory,” Fionn said, glaring.
I rubbed the back of my neck, wincing at the soreness there. “It’s fine. I think I’m getting the flu or a cold. Nothing to worry about. We have too much work to do, and I’m going to see Sloan this week for a conjugal visit.”
“How did he make that happen?” Amusement thickened Daire’s voice.
I smirked. “Apparently, he made a deal with the warden. He never ceases to surprise me.”
“Well, everyone has a price, even the people who say they aren’t for sale.” Daire moved across the room to Sloan’s desk and picked up the phone. He pressed a button before he spoke. “It’s Daire. Please bring us three mugs of coffee to the boss’s office. Thank you.” When he hung up the phone, he went back to his chair and took his seat.
A knock echoed in the office, and Daire leaned forward to close the folder of documents. I leaned back in my chair, getting comfortable.
“Come in,” Fionn ordered. I liked to give him control. In the end, it was Fionn who was going to be the boss, and while I was helping him right now, I had no desire to be anything but someone who gave advice. The Company belonged to Fionn. I liked helping Sloan, enjoyed the planning and running of the business, but I never wanted to be the one person in charge.
The door opened, and I held in a sigh as the cousins walked in, a guard right behind them.
They looked the same as yesterday, dressed to the nines in neatly pressed designer suits. Tiernan and Senan put more work into their appearance, while Kyran’s tie was slightly loose. I didn’t miss the bruise blooming on Senan’s jaw, an absolutely beautiful reminder of my power over him. If Senan felt anything from the injury, he didn’t show it. He was as composed as ever.
“Sirs.” Tiernan smirked and my stomach crawled with distrust. If they thought they could come to New York and steal Sloan’s business, they were wrong. Fionn and I would fight them to our deaths before we handed over the Company.
Fionn pressed a finger to his mouth in thought. “So...Edward sent you here on an errand, hmm? You didn’t tell us.”
“Would you have believed us?” Tiernan raised his eyebrows, grinning.
“No,” I said without missing a beat. “I don’t trust you at all.”
Tiernan turned his sharp gaze on me. “I’m aware, but you don’t know me.”
“Because you, or your name or connection to Sloan, weren’t important. You could disappear tomorrow and the Company would run just fine.” I shot to my feet, anger vibrating in my chest. I didn’t let my feelings show on my face, though. “The only thing that saves you is having the Killough name.”
