I smiled, biting down on my lip. “I love you, Seven Grey. Always have.”
Call ended.
My ankle bounced over the stained carpet, crossed over my leg while I waited onDon Juanover here to make sure I was good on my end. These pews really aren’t comfortable at all. A hell of a lot more uncomfortable when you’re waiting on somebody to decide not onlyyourfate…but the fate of everybody under this roof. He finally strutted down the aisle.
“We’re good. My men are leaving. Family is safe. Let’s go.”
I swallowed down my nerves and tried to at leastseemlike I was replacing it with my usual sass. He turned to the side, keen on making sure I wouldn’t ram a knife into his back and ushered me in front of him while two men relieved me of all my pointy things. This is it, I guess. No going back now, unless it’s in a body bag. I followed them through the house and Declan stood outside the office by the front door. I didn’t miss the blood spatter on the walls of the hallway, or my brother’s manic expression while he stood with his back against the basement door.
“You’re not takin’ her outta this house,” Dec growled, making to step forward. I threw a hand out, looking first at Malek, and then at the man Ishouldhave married.
“He’s not, Dec. I’m going on my own. I told you to trust me. Sev needs you both.” I turned my attention to my brother, who looked about as ready as Declan to blow a gasket. “I’ll mop this one up by myself, okay?”
“Bridget…” Mal’s eyes went to that dark place we feel the most at home. “I didn’t mean—”
“I know. It doesn’t matter. Take care of them.”
Declan’s gaze locked onto me, his jaw set and his muscles tight. I need to learn that kind of self control. I spoke as best I could with my eyes and nodded once, following the dipshits as they led me out. Three of Mikhail’s men pointed guns at a familiar-looking guy in the front yard, though I can’t place where I know him from. My brows scrunched as I walked past and the man looked at me, his eyes following me the entire way to a black SUV.
He’s wearing Declan’s hoodie…
“Phone,” one of the men demanded, holding his gloved hand out. I glanced at the house as the rest of the grunts made their way out. Declan’s shoulders heaved while he watched from the porch. I gave up my phone and dude immediately dropped it, smashing it with the heel of his boot. My breathing kicked up as a black head cover erased Dec completely, and I got shoved into the car.
…And so it begins…
CHAPTER 14
The Pawn
Irish or not, I’ve never considered myself a lucky bloke.
I must have broken a lot of mirrors in a past life or slipped under one too many ladders. Aside from that, I have to say…I do consider myself a decent person. Okay…so I’ve killed a few people. I had reasons. The man behind the screen is not that guy. I’ve always treated women with respect. They deserve it the most. I’ve held doors, took a back seat, and helped old ladies across the road. I don’t know if the dark shit in my life cancels out all the good I try to do…but I swear to God…I don’t understand how I always draw the short fucking straw.
How did I get lucky enough to get a woman like that to love me…but unlucky enough to watch her walk in and out of my life on her own accord—without a single thing that can be done about it? If I were like any other man…I wouldn’t give her a choice. But…here I fucking sit.
The good guy.
My teeth are sore after watching them blind her and take her away from this house. My fingernails dug into my palms with caked blood of other men dirtying up the space between. Dan stood in the yard, his sniper rifle laying at his feet as we watched all the Russian fucksticks trail off after their boss…andmy future. I want to flick them all off the grid like lint…and Ican’t. Parlay has my fucking hands tied and I don’t even know what she offered them, other thanherself.
“Fuck!”I yelled, slamming my fists on the porch railing.“Píosaí cacamas mallaithe!”Hurried footsteps sounded behindme and Seven appeared on the porch, looking out towards the street, Malek right behind her.
“They took her?!”
“She went on her own, love.” Malek’s jaw feathered, his tell that he’s about to concave. Sev spun on him.
“And youlether?!”
“Sev, you know that if that lass ever makes her mind up about somethin’, then it’s either let her roll with it, or watch her do it behind your back. That’s why we’re in this mess.” I don’t think it gave her any comfort. It sure as hell didn’t for me, even as it came out of my mouth, bleeding absolutetruth. Malek nodded in agreement. She pierced him with a hard look that even hadmeflinching.
“…And you wanna bring a child into this.” I felt the plunge of that knife in my own soul. I’ve never seen Mal look like this. Not even on the morning we found out about Shavonn. Seven glanced at me, leaning in and lowering her voice. “She said to tell you…fifteen grand. I dunno what it means, and I can’t think about it right now. We’ve gotta get Mom to a hospital. That means cops are on their way. Let’s move.”
She left us all standing like vacant assholes while she charged into the house. I flicked my head at Dan, who picked up his rifle and followed us inside. Greg held a little straggler by the hood of his coat.
“This one missed the school truck,” Greg spat, pointing his pistol at the guy’s head. The prick spouted off Russian nonsense and looked between us all. I raked a hand through my disheveled hair.
“Technically, we can’t touch him now that Bridget’s struck a deal with—”
BANG!
