I was terrible at it as a kid, though, probably because I lacked interest in learning anything criminal at the time. Eventually, Dad and Finn gave up on teaching me survival skills.
I think they just gave up on me altogether.
Dad decided to send me away instead. First to boarding school in Long Island—although the commute to the estate in Manhattan was fairly short, I rarely went home—then to college here in California. Supposedly to keep me out of danger, but the little girl in me can’t help but feel abandoned.
And look what happened. They kept me away for so long that I never had a chance to get too close to any of them. Now it’s too late with Dad. Over the last few years, Finn and I had just started rebuilding our sibling bond. He visited me a couple summers ago, and we spent a week taking surfing lessons together, watching classic eighties movies, and catching up on life.
But still…
Even during his visit, he was distant at times. I figured out quickly certain topics were off limits, like his first wife. He married her while I was away at boarding school. Before I even met Brianne, she was brutally murdered. Then, while I relocated to California for college and dove into my studies, he became wrapped up in avenging her. Next time I came up for air, Finn was getting remarried. He’s super in love. And I just?—
The lock on the cuffs clicks as a fresh tear falls from my eye. As I free myself, I realize my problem.
I told Finn not to come to my graduation due to fear.
Not because I didn’t want the mafia baggage but because I’m terrified that my brother won’t like me.
He’s so much older than I am. His mother and younger brother were killed, and his dad remarried my mom, who was younger than him and already had my brother Liam. Finn probably felt like Dad was leaving him behind to start a new family.
I was in elementary school when my mother died of cancer, and after that, my father hired a nanny to care for me.
Dad’s presence forced Finn to tolerate me, but with Dad gone…what’s left to hold us together?
I swipe my eyes and rise. Finn’s the only Gallagher family I have left. Despite our age difference and the distance between us, I love him, have always looked up to him, and desperately want us to fix the rift.
But unless I escape and manage to stay alive, that will never happen.
Finn might not even know I’m missing. I’m a total asshole and rarely call him. He typically calls me first.
Urgency rushes through my limbs. After splashing water on my face and rinsing my mouth, I open the door and slip out into the hallway, my eyes slicing in both directions for any sign of Brody.
This place, this hotel, the Cypress, is my one ray of hope.
I saw the sign as Brody hauled me inside earlier. The Cypress Hotel is part of the nerve center of the Port Kings, and apparently, where one of Finn’s guys—Kellin, Brody said—now stays. I met Kellin at my father’s memorial service, so I’ll recognize him if I see him.
If I can find my brother’s man somewhere in this hotel, he’ll protect me.
I hit the emergency exit stairwell and begin climbing down concrete flights, motion-sensor lights flipping on as I scurry. Every creak causes me to jump.
I expect Brody to come racing after me any second.
All I have to do is find Kellin.
I believe he helps run the place, so he shouldn’t be too difficult to hunt down. I’ll head downstairs, stay out in the open where Brody can’t kidnap me without creating a scene, and ask the people at the front desk if I can speak with Kellin.
While they alert him, I’ll borrow their phone and call Finn myself.
I try to remain focused, but I can’t do anything about the wild hope sprouting in my chest as I near the ground level. At the bottom of the stairwell, I gingerly pull the door open and peek out at the hallway that leads to the lobby.
No sign of Brody.
With my heart thundering beneath my ribs, I slip through the doorway and walk briskly—but calmly—toward the front desk.
A bright-eyed blond wearing chandelier earrings that skim the top of her shoulders beams at me as I approach. “Hi there. Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Kellin Brennan. Is he around?” My god, it’s hard to keep my voice normal when I’m one wrong move from a total catastrophe.
“Let me see if I can find him…” The receptionist picks up the phone but stops mid-dial. “Actually, there he is now.”
