The McCarthy clan is a bit of a legend in Ballyhock. We take care of the citizens, and in turn, they’re loyal and protective.
Seamus cracks his neck. “Gives me a reason to fucking put him six feet under.”
Relief floods through me, so intense it's almost painful.
“But if you think about it…” Seamus strokes his chin. “We destroy Crowning. We take what he's been hoarding for years, aye. This could work in our favor quite well, couldn't it, lads?” He pauses. “There's at least one, two, three families that haven't taken sides. Us versus Crowning.”
“And it's not just that.”
Seamus gives me another look. “What?”
“How I met Bianca. I found her. Some eejits in an alley were trying to take her for god knows what reason…”
“Jesus Christ.” Seamus shakes his head. “We’re not in the habit of saving people, Ash. Youknowthis.”
“Aye, but we keep the streets of Ballyhock safe, don’t we? Could’ve been Kyla or Bronwyn, Seamus.”
“Fucking hell,” Lorcan says, shaking his head.
“But you need to tell her everything.” Seamus's voicehardens. “Who we are. What we do. That her father died serving us.”
“She knows.”
“Good.” Seamus nods. “Now go get your girl before Kyla interrogates her to death.” Lorcan shoots him a look. “You know she will. They all will. Right? You check on her. Make sure she's alright. Then we make our plan. We fortify this house, then strike against Crowning. If we strike first, he won't see it coming. Then we bring everything he's been doing to the news.”
“Aye.” I nod. “Mam still has contacts.”
Back in the day, when my parents were getting married, my mother was an investigative reporter. She's still best friends with people who still work for them. It's been useful having her on our side.
Seamus leans across the table, holding my gaze. “Your entire fucking life, you've been loyal to this family. Every decision you've made has been for the betterment of our family.” His hands clench into fists. “There's no one more loyal than you, Ashland.”
I nod.
“I've watched what you've sacrificed for us. For our family.”
I nod again, a lump rising in my throat when the face of my brother flashes into my memory.
“Aye,” I say, myvoice hoarse.
“We'll do everything we can. We will fight to the death. Do you hear me, Ashland? To the death.” He smiles suddenly and winks at me. “Don't fuck it up with the girl.”
I turn and head toward the kitchen.
Seamus is on my side. All my brothers are on my side. If we make the move… if we do this right.
For fuck's sake. We walk a knife's edge. One brisk blow of wind, and we'll teeter off to our deaths. I could bring destruction down on the whole family.
Or.
Or… we’ll go down with them.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bianca
My mind is absolutely reeling.Ashland is a McCarthy. The McCarthys who I have been conditioned to hate.
The McCarthys knew my father died working for them, and Ashland has verifiable proof that the McCarthys have been taking care of my family financially for years.
