He nods reluctantly, and I smirk.
“We have the advantage,” Rook adds. “Because we know every crevice of this building, the mansion… This island, as a whole, isours. We’ve got this.”
“You’re right,” he grumbles, rolling his neck like he’s preparing for a boxing match.
Rook and I smile. And we take one last opportunity to hold hands and kiss before everything changes.
“It’s gonna work,” I tell them with every ounce of confidence I can muster. “Seriously, we’ve proven that we can handle anything this place throws at us.”
“Hell yea.” Rook grins as the lights flicker.
What could go wrong?
Leaving the prison, I’m up in my head once again.
If anyone can pull off something like this, it’s my partners. I trust them with my life, and that’s saying a lot, because I neverused to trust anyone who wasn’t blood.Not after what The Ivory did to my family…
Speaking of, once I’m within sight of the the old armory, I tug my phone out of my pocket. I’m pulling up the contact, ready to place the call when I pause.
I hear something off in the distance. It sounds like… a moan.
Is someone fucking out here??
The noises fade off, and my chin tips as I take in the scenery. These woods are creepy as hell at night, especially right now, with this storm swaying the trees and spitting rain in my face.
Not that I’m afraid or anything, but I decide to wait until I’m sure the armory is secure before making my call. I get inside, and verify that it’s all clear, then step outside again.
Standing, posted up by the door, I press call, listening past the ringing for any nearby sounds. Jasper and Hancock are due out here soon, but we also need to be on alert for any of The Ivory’s men.
“Cailin?” My dad answers, sounding out of breath, like he just ran to the phone.
It makes me smile. “Hi, Dad. How’s it going?”
“Never mind how it’s going,” he grunts. “Are you alright? John, Harley…?”
I chuckle.My scary Irish mob father is such a teddy bear, I swear.“We’re all fine, Dad, I promise.”
He sighs hard into the phone. “Good… That’s good. I’m still worried, but I trust you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that,” I snicker.
“Don’t crack wise, young lady,” he grumbles. “You tell me that prick is making threats, after what he’s done to us… Afteryearsof torment, and you expect me to sit back and not interfere?? I thought you knew me better than that, cailin.”
Biting my lip, I shift on my feet. I haven’t told him that The Ivory kicked us out of the house yet… And I think it’s best that Ikeep it to myself for now. It’s only going to rile him up more, and I can’t have that. Not with our plan going into effect.
The last thing I need is to be worrying about him worrying about me. And as much as I know my father—and his men—can handle themselves, Velle was very clear about me convincing him not to show up.
He wants us to do this on our own, and I get it.I’m happy to fight on behalf of Southie.
“I do know you. Which is how I know that as much as it’s driving you crazy, you’ll stay put and let us finish this,” I tell him with conviction. “I know you know I can handle myself, and that Velle and Rook would sooner die than let me, or anyone they love, come to harm. They’re like you that way.”
He’s silent for a moment. I pull the phone away to check that the call is still connected.
“Cailin, I don’t want to stress yeh out more,” he hums, softer than I’ve ever heard him before. It’s twisting my gut like a pretzel. “Idoknow all of those things… But I’m still… and I won’t… after years…”
The call is breaking up, his words coming in and out.
“Dad, I think I have bad service…” I huff, checking my phone. “Can you hear me??”
