I nod. “He was in Tiernan’s office when we breached, but he slipped out in the chaos.”
Her mouth flattens, anger first, then the inevitable resignation. “Of course, it was him. Tiernan didn’t get that close without inside help.”
“I didn’t tell you before because?—”
“—you didn’t want to hurt me.” She huffs something like a laugh with all the humor bled out. “Newsflash, Rossi: my family did that a long time ago. They’re nothing like yours…”
I want to touch her, but I don’t. I know she’s on the brink, tears welling in her eyes, and if I push, she’ll crumble. And I know she won’t want to meet my family like that. So instead, I say, “We’ll deal with him. Together.”
Footsteps drum and the cousin crew spills out of the hangar like a tide that couldn’t hold. Alessandro reaches me first, grabbing my jacket, dark eyes scanning my face like he’s counting my bones.
“You unbelievable bastard,” he grits out, and then he drags me into a hug that cracks three ribs I already offended. “Don’t you fucking dare ever die again.”
“No promises,” I choke out, thumping his back in return.
Serena barrels in next and slaps my shoulder hard enough to wobble my soul. Then she’s hugging my neck, voice wet and furious. “You text me ‘Post-mortem’ like this is a meme? I hadcupcakesmade, Matty. With your sorry face.”
“Save me one?” I wheeze.
“I’m saving you several punches.” She pulls back, eyes narrowing past me. “And Iknewthere had to be a she involved.”
Antonio claps my cheek like he’s checking if I’m real. “You look like roadkill,coglione. Glad you’re alive.”
Alessia folds me into a quick, fierce hug that smells like designer perfume and reluctant relief. “You scared the hell out of us, shithead.”
Bella and Raf are next, my cousin’s eyes glassing over as she flicks my ear. “Damn you, Matty.” Then, her voice softens. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
Then her boyfriend shakes my hand and doesn’t let go. “Say the word and I’ll salt what’s left of that Irish dynasty.”
“Later,” I murmur. “We’ll need a shovel.”
Only when the storm of them eases do their eyes find Cat. She still has her hood up, throat bruised and chin up like she’s daring the wind. The air shifts. Ale’s shoulders bunch, typical instinct.
“It’s okay,” I call out, louder than necessary, holding up a palm. “She’s with me.”
Serena’s gaze flicks between us, interest flaring like a match. “That’sthe she.”
“Careful,” Cat warns, voice even, the Irish lilt she’s fought so hard to hide cutting through the hangar noise. “Shebites.”
Serena’s mouth tilts. “So do we, sister.”
I step between all the unsaid things and take the hit for everyone. “I owe you all the truth. I should have told you from the start of all of this.” My voice sounds like gravel in a prayer. “Caitríona is the masked shooter. The one who came for me. She’s also the reason I’m not a chalk outline, twice, maybe three times. I can’t keep track anymore. She warned me. She could’ve killed me multiple times and didn’t. Tiernan Quinlan had her by the throat for disobeying his command, and Donal—” I glance at Cat, but she doesn’t flinch. “— her own brother helped put the noose there.”
“So you decided to give Tiernan a body,” Raf cuts in.
I nod.
“You should’ve fucking told us.” Serena shakes her head.
“I know and I’m sorry, but it had to look real. I needed all of Gemini’s forces on a rampage so I could make my move on Tiernan.”
Antonio whistles low and Bella’s brows shoot up. Raf mutters a quietmerda. And Ale’s jaw ticks. Then his face goes very calm. It’s that dangerous calm he learned the hard way. “And the shot at Rory?”
My stomach knots, and I move instinctively closer to Cat. “Iwas the target. This is on me. Cat missed wide on purpose, but she never meant to hit Rory. I believe that with everything I’ve got.”
Cat’s voice is sand and steel. “It’s true. If I wanted your wife dead, Alessandro, she would be. I don’t shoot strangers to make a point.”
I wince, the urge to tuck her behind me and protect her from Alessandro’s wrath overwhelming. Ale’s glare remains locked on Cat, icy and assessing.
