My shoulders go to my ears with Da's words. "What do you mean ‘consequences’?"
"You will have to leave the family." Da throws out his words like a weapon, makingBrendon flinch, but he's not the only one because I flinch at the same time—Brendon is the best enforcer we have. It will hurt the family to lose him.
Brendon recovers quickly though, standing up. "Fine. I'm out."
"Are you sure?" I ask Brendan. "Just because Da is upset doesn't mean you have to make this decision lightly."
He narrows his eyes at me. "I'm not taking it lightly. Suri is it for me. I'll do anything for her. One day you might understand."
I roll my eyes at that assessment. "You know love isn’t in the cards for me. I'm the heir."
Brendan doesn't respond but turns back toward Da. "If you want me out, I'm out. I'll keep you updated through Ma."
My stomach drops with his last statement, his tone ringing with finality. If Brendan is out then he technically can’t talk to anyone within the organization, including me. The only reason he’ll be able to talk with Ma isbecause she’s not involved with the business.
"Fine," Da says, slamming back down in his chair.
Brendan pushes his own chair back and begins to walk toward the door. Pausing at my chair, he whispers, “I hope one day you’ll forgive me, big brother.”
I would get up, or say something to him, but I can’t show any weakness, not even for my brother, and especially not in front of my Da. Instead, I nod. Brendan’s eyes fill with understanding, then I watch as he walks out of the house and into his future. The front door slams, making the walls shake.
Although I'm happy for him and that he figured out a way to be with Suri, I'm also relieved I don't have to marry someone who hates me either. But underneath it all, a little resentment toward my younger brother rears its ugly head. It's not the first time I've had these feelings either. Brendan doesn'tsee it, but he's always been allowed to be freer than me, being the second son.
"We just lost an alliance with the Johnson family. You two stay close. We need to restructure things," Da says standing up from the table, and walking out of the room, leaving Henry, Ma, and I behind.
Once he's out of sight, Ma gives me a watery smile. I know the fact that Brendan is being pushed out of the family is killing her. Even though Da has always been tough on us, Ma has always been the epitome of love.
"Ma, it will be okay," I tell her.
"I know. Sometimes it’s just hard to be a woman in this family," she says, giving me another sad smile.
"I know," I whisper because she’s right. Though Da respects Ma's opinions they don't weigh the same amount in our world.
Ma gets up and walks around the table, patting my shoulder as she mumbles, "It will all work out, Kieran. You'll see," then walks out of the room leaving just me and Henry.
"Well, Brendan always did know how to clear out a room," I say, pushing up from the table and heading toward the front door.
"Yes, he does," Henry agrees before adding, "It will be interesting to see how this all plays out."
“Oh, and Henry? Find the girl from last night’s auction. I need to know…everything.”
six
Kieran
“Kieran, she’s disappeared,” Henry mutters, hanging his head low.
“What do you mean she’s disappeared?” I ask, my jaw clenched.
“She slipped our men,” he replies angrily. I can tell that even though he doesn't want to tell me this, he's just as pissed.
Which he should be.
Henry is in charge of all security details being my second in command. He chose these people personally, and the fact they can't keep track of one woman, is fucking ridiculous. Not only that, it's also only been a few days since I ordered herto be watched.
As always, if I want something done right, I need to do it myself.
"How?" I demand.
