For a minute, I run through a litany of possible scenarios. If he goes for her, what would I do? I could never hurt my cousin, my brother in every sense of the word, but I wouldneverlet him lay a hand on her either. I would never allowanyoneto hurt her, ever again.
Silence stretches long enough to creak.
Then he turns that hard glare on me. “La ami?”Do you love her? Straight for the gut punch. My cousin never was one to mince words.
A sharp nod. With every bone in my body and every sliver of my broken soul. I don’t say the words out loud though because I promised her I wouldn’t. Technically, she did say them the other day, but it was out of desperation. They don’t count.
Ale heaves out a frustrated breath. “She gets one pass, cuz. Only for you.”
My head dips sharply. “Thank you.”
Serena folds her arms, studying Cat like a puzzle she’s itching to solve. “So you were Eoin Quinlan’s fiancée?”
Cat’s jaw tightens. “Once.”
“And you—” Serena flings a pointed look at me. “—fell in love with her?”
My cousin has little room to point fingers considering how her relationship with Antonio started.
“It all started four years ago,” I explain. “Before any of us knew of the Quinlans or any of this shit. I only knew that my father’s enemies would eventually come to her door. So I left to keep her clear of it and failed spectacularly.”
“We’re going to need a much better explanation,” Serena chimes in.
“Yes, all the details,” Bella adds.
Alessandro drags a hand down his face, voice low. “And Tiernan?”
“Dead,” I answer. The word feels like a door closing. “He won’t touch another soul.”
He exhales, a dark, satisfied sound. “Good.”
Bella’s gaze softens by degrees, shifting from me to Cat. “What do you need?”
Cat blinks like she wasn’t expecting that one first. “A day where no one points a gun at my head.” A rueful chuckle slips out. “And for my younger sister to stay forgotten.”
“She will.” Alessandro’s voice surprises me. It’s in that quiet tone, an oath I’d trust over any contract. “If Matteo vouches for you, then so do I.” His eyes cut to me. “But hear me out, if she burns you, she burns us all.”
“Understood,” I reply. “She won’t.”
Serena elbows me, not gently. “You should’ve told us sooner, idiot. We could have helped watch the Vault. We could’ve watched your back instead of hosting a fucking funeral on a group chat.”
“I know.” It’s a clean admission, no varnish. “I was wrong.”
Serena eyes Cat again, then steps forward and sticks out a hand. “Serena. Loud, fiery but faithful-as-all-hell cousin. I do slaps and an occasional cupcake.”
Cat stares at her hand, at the woman attached to it, then takes it like she’s putting her hand in a fire pit. “Caitríona. I do knives and bad ideas.”
“Perfect fit,” Serena says, releasing her. “Welcome to the circus.”
Bella moves in beside Serena with a softer smile. “We protect our own. If you’re his—” a deliberate pause “—you’re under our roof while you’re in it.”
Cat swallows, the smallest crack in her armor, and then nods once. “That’s appreciated.”
Leo clears his throat from the shadows like a stage manager who wants the scene change. “Jet’s prepped. We should move before airport security decides to make themselves seen.”
Alessandro claps my shoulder once more, a benediction and a warning. “Debrief in the air. Then you’re callingPapàbefore he digs to Belfast with his bare hands.”
I grimace. “Can’t wait.”
