“I know.” I reach for the holster on the arm of the couch, snap it on, and tuck a second clip into my pocket. “I know I don’t deserve to demand anything. But I can’t let you do this alone, Cat. I won’t.” My words hit low.
“Matteo…”
“I’m going either way. With you or trailing after you. Besides, I’m the one who knows how men like Tiernan think when they want to make an example.”
I can feel her indecision, her weighing out the options.
“Fine,” she replies a long moment later. She swallows, thumb already flying over the screen as Donal’s pin lands. He’s at Long Branch, which means the closest airport is Monmouth. It’s small and private, perfect. Her hand shakes but she shoves the tremor back down.
“Coffee later…” I inch closer, scared she might run. And I don’t know how to sayI’m not letting you walk into this alonewithout making it sound like a promise I have no right to give.
I’m surprised when she doesn’t fight me on it anymore. It’s the fear for her sister. Instead, she just pulls on her hoodie, zips it to her throat, and nods. The shirt stays under it, still hiding whatever she won’t let me see. The ache behind my ribs flares.
Something to deal with later. Find the sister first. Ask about ghosts second.
“Keys,” she says.
“Already got them.” I’m at the door before I realize I moved, then I glance back. “You ready, Kitty Cat?”
Her eyes flare at the name. Then she nods once, a grim soldier’s nod.
“Let’s go.”
The rain eases to a smear on the windshield as we cut north, wipers on the car I snagged from the safehouse ticking a tired beat. Cat rides shotgun beside me, hood up, and hands fisted in her lap like she’s holding herself together with bone and will. She’s barely said a word since we left Noel’s house.
I hit the button on the steering wheel. “Call Alessandro.”
The car fills with a ring, then Ale’s voice. It’s tired and sharp, all my cousin. “Matteo. Finally. Where the hell?—”
“First, how’s Rory?”
A beat. “She’s stable. She has a concussion and bruised ribs but no internal bleeding. The baby’s okay.” His voice cracks on okay. “They’re still holding her at the hospital for observation so I’m here with her. Where are you?”
Relief hits so hard it’s almost painful. I stare at the wet road until it steadies. “Good,” I breathe. “Listen, call off the city-wide on the Quinlans and pull our people back. They’re on the move, and I’ve got a lead I’m taking to Belfast.”
Silence turns dense. “You’re doing what?”
“Tiernan made a move, and I can counter it there.”
“What move? What the hell are you talking about?”
I growl out a frustrated sound. “It doesn’t matter, just?—”
“I’m coming.” No hesitation. “I’ll have the jet meet us?—”
“No.” It comes out too hard, so I drop my voice. “Ale, no. You’re going to be a father. You need to be with Rory. Plus, I need you stateside keeping Gemini from coming apart at the seams while I’m gone. Your life is too important to risk on a street I know better than you do.”
“Matty—”
“Trust me.” I angle a glance at Cat. She watches the dark glass, expression tight. “Please.”
On the other end, I hear him grind a curse into his teeth. When he speaks, it’s low and dangerous. “You handle this, and you come back home safe. Do you hear me?”
“That’s the plan.”
“And your shooter?” he asks, quiet now.
My throat tightens. I take the only step that doesn’t burn us both. “I’ll take care of it.”
