“What do ya mean careful?”
“He’s in their prison system, lost under someone else’s name. How hard do you think it would be to make him disappear for good?”
I ball my fists and grind my teeth. The bullshit seems like it’s never-ending. My visit to Scotland yielded me nothing but more hatred for my grandfather.
The digging I did only brought on more questions. Reading between the lines and given the little information I was able to find, I only know that my siblings and our relationships with Deja and Ciara somehow threatened Oland. It’s this fucking alliance.
I know it is. If it weren’t so important to my granda Ian, I would burn it to the ground myself. However, I do know how important it was to the old man.
“How do we know he’s safe in there while ya work to get him out?”
“This is Logan. He’ll survive. Besides, I’m working to get my own eyes and ears in there.”
I grunt and nod. He’s right, Logan isn’t going down without a fight. Nine times out of ten, he’s walking away while the other party isn’t.
“I want to know something, and I want ya to be honest with me, Sam. Oland has something to do with all of this, doesn’t he?”
“Did you really need to ask?”
“Ach, not at all.”
“Listen, Brooklyn. There are reasons we haven’t taken him out. Right now, I need your help. You and I will have to cover for your brother until he’s home.”
“Aye, I’m already covering for him. I’ve got ya.”
“No, you’re taking care of O’Brien business for him. I need you to learn the Alliance business now. You will sit for your brother until his return.
“We can’t show weakness at the moment. I know you’re up for the task. Can I count on you?”
“Aye.”
“Are you sure? Logan’s role is a heavy one to bear. Once you see the Alliance from his seat, everything will change. You will have a greater understanding of why this is necessary. Why we are risking everything to make it happen.”
“I said I’m ready. I already know enough to want to see this through.”
“Good, the first thing you will need to know is the structure. In the Alliance power will run from the head down, but itwill cycle in a way that will never topple the infrastructure. To implode the middle is to swell the top,” he begins.
I listen closely so that I can represent not only Logan but our granda’s memory.
Deja
“What are ya up to?”Blair asks as she peeks over my shoulder.
“Deciding where I would go if I went to America,” I mutter.
“So it’s true. Yer thinking about leaving us.”
I look up from my tablet and search her face. The glum look on her face and sadness in her eyes tugs at my heart. I’ve known her for as long as I’ve been here.
She’s become a big part of my life. I can only imagine what my presence must mean to her. If not for me, she’d be the only female.
Ewan doesn’t go easy on us because we are women, but it can be rough some days to be the female trainees. We’ve leaned on each other over the years.
I think it has made us both tougher. I know I try to lead by example. On days when I want to give up, I always think of her and keep pushing.
“I’m not leaving ya. Wherever I land, my door is always open to ya. Ewan would kill me for saying this, but ye guys could think about coming with me,” I say and wink.
She throws her arms around my neck. “I’m going to miss ye. I’ve always known things would change. It’s just hard knowing that time is actually coming.”
