“Yes. Do you remember what Alek did? The shit he pulled? He almost got your wife killed. He killed Nolan.” John starts pacing, his tonegrowing louder, sharper. “The destruction, the chaos; we lost good men because of him.”
He’s shaking now, jaw tight. He was close to Nolan Keeffe, even though the lad was a fucking eejit.
Declan leans back in the chair. Kian and Connor shift slightly, just enough for me to know they feel it too.
The vein in Declan’s neck starts to rise. He’s getting angry.
John might be six foot and built like a tank, but Declan is bigger. And when that man snaps, it’ll take all three of us to pull him off someone.
“I already got Alek,” Declan says, rising with steel, though he remains calm. “He was taken, and Christian had his revenge during the Blood Ceremony.”
John halts mid-step, staring him down.
“What he did to Viviana, how can you not want to wipe them all out?” His words crack with disbelief as he jabs a finger toward Declan. “She’s your wife.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake—
Declan rises and grabs John by the collar. I move fast as Connor and Kian try to pull him back, but Declan shakes them off and lands a solid punch right across John’s face. Blood splatters over the polished wood floor.
Kaden steps forward beside me, but no one touches the leader, especially when he’s on a rampage.
“Declan!” I catch John by the arm and drag him back just as Declan’s next punch swings through the air and connects with my ribs instead. The pain rips through me deep, but I hold steady. My hand shoots to Declan’s shoulders, pushing him back with all the control I can muster. I nod to Kaden, and he moves in to help Kian and Connor restrain him.
“Get the fuck out,” I snarl at John. Christian and Tiernan rush forward, dragging him toward the door while he keeps shouting like a fool.
I stay planted in front of Declan, chest heaving. “Come on, brother. You know he’s a piece of shite.”
Declan’s breathing slows. His fists loosen. Kian and Connor ease their grip once they feel the tension drop from him.
“That motherfucker,” Declan growls. “After everything I’ve done for them. I put Viviana and you in danger just to get Alek. He thinks I wouldn’t burn the Bratva to the ground if I thought they were involved?” He shakes his head, ripping off his suit jacket and tossing it aside.
“I know,” I say, keeping my tone calm, grounding him.
“I don’t trust him.” Kian’s tone is dark, his gaze fixed on the door where John disappeared.
“The Bratva had nothing to do with Alek and his crew,” Connor adds, stepping closer. “A good relationship with them could stabilise the shipping routes.”
“Exactly. Now convince Flanaghan.” Declan grunts, running a hand down his face.
“This was interesting,” I mutter, shaking my head with a grin tugging at my mouth.
“You alright?” Kaden asks, his eyes flicking to my side.
Declan turns fast, his expression shifting in an instant. “Fuck. I hit you.”
I laugh, rubbing the ache from my ribs. “I can take a punch.”
“Yeah, I know. You’ve been to the fights.” He studies me, a grin tugging at his mouth.
Of course someone told him. “It’s good to stay in shape.”
“Right.In shape.” Kian smirks, shaking his head.
“So are you taking any measures against Flannaghan?” I change the subject. They all notice, though none of them say a word.
Declan huffs, picking up his suit jacket. “No. Fuck it.”
We head out together. The bikes wait in the private section of the garage, engines gleaming under the lights. Christian and his cousin Tiernan are already there. Kian mutters a curse under his breath.
