I grip the gun even tighter, using both hands to keep it steady. Holding my breath, I wait to see who’s coming. The moment the door opens and I see the burly man, I spring into action. I pull the trigger, sending a bullet traveling straight into his stomach. He grabs at the wound as his shirt instantly stains red. He moves toward me and I go on autopilot. I pull the trigger until it clicks. The man is dead, lying there, motionless, while I watch the blood drain from him.
I judged Declan when we first met for killing people. He’d said, “You never know what you’re capable of until it’s either you or them.” He was right. I chose to kill this man before he could kill me. I have taken another person’s life and I feel nothing. No regret, no compassion. Absolutely nothing except for the need to get to Declan.
38
DECLAN
James proved to be nothing but a fake lacky. He was Enzo’s whipping boy, forced to be the one stalked by the Reaper. But he eventually paid off. We found him fucking his favorite prostitute and gutted him like a fish. It’s funny how much people are willing to turn on someone when they fear for their lives. It’s why we keep things in our family and crew so close to the chest.
In the end, he told us where to find Enzo and where to find my Aingeal. After we killed him we used his phone to send Enzo a message saying James had killed me, hoping it was enough for Enzo to lower his guard.
Ciaran won’t tell me where Enzo is—probably fearing I’ll take that kill from him. As much as I would love to, I won’t deprive him of getting his vengeance for Teresa. He never told her how he felt, always keeping her at a distance to protect himself, and this is what he needs to get some sort of closure. As long as I can get to Ewen before these men kill him, I’ll leave Enzo to Ciar.
The dock James would go to was a front, but they’re keeping Ewen in a connected warehouse. It seems they have a secret underground route that links the buildings.
Smart, and it pains me to give them that much credit. The Bianchis weren’t smart.
And tonight, every O’Sullivan crew member was a Reaper. So much blood will flow in Boston.
I, along with a few members, lead the charge on the warehouse. Ciaran and some others are going after Enzo. Divide and conquer. After this night there will be no more Bianchi crew.
Sam, a big guy we use for street muscle, is the first one up. He kicks the side door in like it’s nothing. We’re all armed, and heavily so. They’ve been given clear instructions: kill everyone except the priest.
We’re greeted by silence. Guns raised, we make a sweep through the warehouse, but the building is empty. I start to doubt the information we were given until we find a hole smashed into a brick wall in the back corner. It’s massive and jagged. The edges blackened like there was an explosion. I stick my gun through first and slowly turn my head to look. A tunnel leads into darkness. This is the way. I feel it in my bones.
“Sam and Liam, you’re with me. The rest of you stay here and watch this entrance. If anyone but us comes through, you fucking blow their heads off.” They nod their agreement. The men fan out, covering and surrounding the area, leaving no blind spots. These men are well trained and smarter than I’ve given them credit for. I need to tell Ciaran I’m proud of him.
I go through first with the other two on my heels. Liam brings up the rear and steps backwards, covering our asses. The tunnel leads us to another wall that’s destroyed like the one we just came through. I regret not bringing my night vision goggles, but I didn’t expect this. Going slowly, and with nothing but the beam of a small light on top of my gun, we walk keep walking and follow another tunnel. A bit farther down light greets us from a doorway.
Signaling the guys to halt, I creep forward and look in. It’s the open space of another empty warehouse. This one though doesn’t look nearly as forgotten as the one we entered through.We continue past the door. No one is here so it’s easy to clear this level. Sam takes the lead up a set of stairs and in his true fashion, kicks open the door to the next floor.
Bullets start flying and I can hear shouting, but I can’t tell what’s being said. I only have one mission. Find Ewen.
We make quick work of the men shooting at us. Lying in their own blood, I kick and flip them over, trying to figure out who they are. Lower thugs, no one of importance.
Clearing this level, we keep moving. This place is a fucking maze of walls and tunnels. We haven’t encountered anyone else. We find another staircase that leads down. This one is eerie but I continue because I have to find him. Save him. Hold him.
Still no one. What the fuck is this place used for? I haven’t seen anywhere they could have kept—or be keeping—him. The hallway is silent until I hear gunshots. I don’t think, just charge forward. What if someone is shooting him? I’ll fucking destroy them.Please be okay.
When I round the corner I’m greeted by something I never expected to see in my lifetime. Ewen is standing there, bloody and beaten, in nothing but his boxers, holding a gun aimed at a dead man lying on the floor.
“Declan!” he yells and charges me, dropping the gun. I envelop him in my arms, falling to the floor from the momentum. I take the brunt of the fall. I don’t care. He’s alive and back in my arms where he belongs. He’s crying and clinging to me so hard, he’s shaking.
I hold him tight, kissing his head, telling him it’s okay. Slowly, I move his face off my chest. I try to be gentle, the left side of his face is swollen and bruised, as I angle him to look at me. “Hey baby, it’s okay.” I gently kiss his lips. They’re chapped but I couldn’t care less. They’re his lips so they’re perfect. “Let’s go home.”
He nods but places his head back against my chest. Right where he belongs. Slowly I get us both off the floor. Sam and Liam are in the doorway. “One of you, gimme something to cover him up with.” Liam takes off his jacket and hands it over. “You guys go, we’ll follow right behind you.”
They disappear on my orders. Turning to Ewen, I help him into the jacket. “I’m sorry but this is going to have to do for now.”
I help him walk to the area where we took out the goons. “Close your eyes,” I tell him. He’s already been through so much, I don’t want the carnage to add to whatever memories he’ll have of this place.
The men I brought with me are standing at an open rolling bay door. Fresh, crisp evening air greets us. Sam holds out a phone. “Hey,” he says as he passes it to me. I tuck Ewen into my side and take the phone. Ciaran’s name is on the screen.
“Did you find Enzo?” I question.
“Yes. He’s alive, for now. I will be the one to end him but wanted to see if you wanted in first.”
I look at Ewen snuggled against me, shaking. I want nothing more than to torment that man for taking him from me, putting him through whatever he did. But I refuse to leave his side. “Nah, you got this. Be creative.”
