I scroll through every contact, calling in any favors or old debts with men who know me well enough not to lie when I ask if they’ve seen or heard from Cormac.
But somehow, every single one of them comes back with nothing.
The first dead end I hit, I figure it’s bad luck. The second, I consider to be nothing more than a coincidence. But by the fifth call, to my PI, Aiden, I’m pacing around the office with my fist clenched, ready to be put through a wall.
“Seriously, you’ve heard nothing?”
“Not since the last time you called. I told you I would callyouif I found anything. You’re blowing up my phone like a goddamned booty call, Sullivan.”
“And I expected you to have found something by now, considering how much I pay you, Aiden.”
“Your brother is not an easy man to find.”
“Clearly.”
“I have to say, I’m a little impressed.”
“And I’m a little pissed, considering you’re still no closer to getting me some answers.”
“I’m using every resource I have to track him down, but you’re going to have to practice your patience.”
“When have you ever known me to have patience?”
“Well, you’re going to have to find some because this isn’t going to be a quick job. I’ll call you if I find anything.”
Aiden ends the call, and I shut off my phone, feeling that familiar surge of frustration that has me on the verge of upending every piece of furniture in Ronan’s office.
Cormac’s tracks are too clean. If he really was leaking information, there should be something for me to find, a girl he bragged to or a whisper picked up by someone who owed me.
But there isn’t, and that’s what I can’t seem to ignore.
Cormac has never been this careful, so why the hell can’t I pin him down? Why does every trail I chase vanish into smoke the second I get too close?
Unless, of course, someonewantsit that way…
The thought is sharp and persistent enough that I can’t ignore it.
What if someone’s been laying down the evidence, making sure that it all leads to Cormac? What if I have been pushing so hard to pin Cormac down as the mole that I’ve walked straight into their plan?
I rub at the back of my neck, the weight of it all sitting heavy on my shoulders.
The problem is I can’t admit this potential explanation to my brothers. I’ve staked too much on Cormac being the one to betray us, and if I backpedal without any proof, I’ll look weak and indecisive, and I don’t need to give Ronan any more reasons to doubt me.
It seems like my only option is to stay quiet for now, and if it turns out someone is playing me, I’ll make them regret it.
But until then, Cormac stays guilty in my book.
I’m just about to call Jace to ask for an ETA for when he’ll be back with Riley when a new notification appears on the screen.
Brennan addedyou to a group chat: “No Snakes Allowed”.
I huffout a laugh despite myself.
Brennan:Figured it was time to make a new group chat so we can discuss he who shall not be named.
Ronan:Change the name.
Brennan:What, don’t you like my honesty?
