Three days later, I’m in bed, still recovering, when I hear the speedboat engine. Helena appears in my doorway, her expression carefully neutral. “Your uncle is here.”
My arms tighten around Finn, who’s sleeping against my chest. Liam is in a bassinet beside the bed, making soft snuffling sounds.
“Tell him to leave.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
Victor walks into my room in a three-piece suit, looking exactly the same as he did the last time he was here, when he told me my pregnancy was leverage. His eyes go to the twins immediately, and something calculating crosses his face.
“Twins,” he says. “Boys.”
“Don’t touch them.”
“I’m not going to touch them, Aurelia. I’m here to discuss logistics.”
“There’s nothing to discuss.”
“There’s plenty to discuss.” He pulls a chair over and sits down, completely at ease. “You’re being moved in two weeks. As soon as the doctor clears you for travel.”
“Where?”
“Ireland. A village called Ballycotton on the southern coast. It’s remote, secure, and far from any Vance operations. You’ll have a house, staff, everything you need to raise the boys.”
“But I’m not free. You’re using them as weapons.”
“I’m ensuring they’re protected. There’s a difference.” He leans forward slightly. “Cassian Rourke is still searching for you, though. My sources tell me he has people watching every property we own in the States. He’s obsessed with finding you, which means he can never know about those babies. Do you understand?”
I hold Finn tighter. “Yes.”
“Ireland is perfect. It’s the last place he’d look. You’ll be comfortable there, and the boys will grow up with everything they need.”
“Except their father.”
“Their father is a killer and a criminal. They’re better off without him.”
I want to argue, but I’m too exhausted and too overwhelmed by the weight of motherhood and the terror of knowing Victor has all the power here.
“Two weeks,” Victor says, standing. “Pack what you want to bring. Everything else will be provided.” He walks to the bassinet and looks down at Liam. For a moment, something almost soft crosses his face. “They look like him,” he says quietly. “That’s going to be a problem when they’re older.”
Then he leaves, and I’m alone with my sons. I look down at Finn, still sleeping against my chest, and then at Liam in his bassinet.
I will protect them. No matter what it takes, no matter what Victor plans, I will keep them safe. Even if it means staying hidden forever.
11
CASSIAN
Four Years Later
Declan setsthe folder on my desk without being asked.
“Victor Vance got into a shoot-out with the Colombians last week,” he says. “Three of his men dead, two Colombians dead, Victor took a bullet in the shoulder but survived.”
I glance at the folder but don’t open it. “Territory dispute?”
“Looks like it. The Colombians have been pushing into Vance operations in Miami. Victor pushed back.”
“Messy.”
