"You can't be here because you miss your dear brother, especially since you brought an Italian with you," Liam says coolly. He sits on a stool across from us, posture relaxed, but his eyes are anything but. They're sharp, calculating, and dangerous.
"Why are you here, Finn?"
I look at Gianna briefly. She gives a slight nod, encouraging me to go on. I turn back to Liam. "I need your help."
Liam scoffs, shaking his head. "I wondered when you'd come to see me... Wondered how you were going to solve the mess with Declan. I just didn't expect you'd come to me... at least not this soon."
My brows knit. "What are you talking about?"
He leans forward, eyes narrowing. "You know what the best thing about playing dead is, Finn? You get to see everything. Hear everything. You become invisible." I freeze, my mouth going dry in shock. Gianna's expression mirrors mine, tight-lipped and stunned.
"You've been watching?" I ask, my voice barely audible.
He nods. "Every move, every betrayal, and every conversation." His gaze flickers to Gianna. "Let me take a quick guess. The girl sold us out to the Italians, and you're here because you don't want Declan to harm her?"
"What Declan wants is war," I say. "If war breaks out between our families, it's going to be brutal on both sides."
"I know," Liam says casually, sipping his coffee like we're discussing the weather. I raise my brows. "Declan's always been so bloodthirsty."
I slam my hand lightly against the counter. "That's it? Is that all you have to say? You know what hell is about to break loose, and you're just going to sit there drinking coffee?" I raise my voice.
Liam's hand comes down harder, slamming the mug onto the counter. The sharp sound echoes through the room. "Watch your tone, boy," he warns, his voice low and deadly calm. "I'm not Declan. Don't come into my house barking like a dog when you come asking for help."
He stands slowly, his presence suddenly ten times heavier. "I didn't disappear from the bloody world only to show up and play knight in shining armor for your girlfriend."
My jaw clenches, every instinct in me screaming to push back, but I'm in no position to argue. We came here for help. Gianna's voice slices through the tension. "Declan will have not just my head but Finn's," she says, her eyes locked on Liam. "Please... we need your help."
Liam exhales softly, dragging his hand through his hair. "I'll help," he says at last, "but only if you do exactly as I say."
I turn to Gianna, our eyes locking in silent agreement before she speaks. "What do we have to do?"
Liam's lips curl into a smug smirk. "I want you both to return to Declan." I stare at him, disbelief crashing over me like a wave. "What?" The word comes out harsher than intended. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"I'll make my move when it matters the most," Liam continues calmly, like he didn't just suggest we walk into the lion's den. "But for now, you're going to have to trust me. Go back and act like nothing happened."
"That doesn't make any sense, Liam!" I snap. "Declan isn't stupid. He..."
"What do we have to do?" Gianna asks, cutting me off.
Liam smirks. "Now that's a smart girl."
CHAPTER 26
Gianna
From the momentI saw Liam, I knew he was the calculating kind. I mean, he faked his death, hid from his own family, all while planning to take over all these years in silence, watching everything unfold. Every word he said was laced with strategy, measured and deliberate.
"Gianna," Finn calls my name like a warning. His voice is low and tense. "I don't think this is a good idea." I glance at him as he drives. His hands grip the steering wheel a little too tightly, knuckles pale. He's skeptical about Liam's plan, but who wouldn't be, because his plan isn't really a plan.
"We have no other choice," I say, keeping my voice calm. "If Liam knew we were going to find him, then I'm sure he's had things planned for this for a long time." I try to reassure Finn. The truth is, I'm not so sure myself what exactly we're walking into, and that uncertainty gnaws at my gut. Still, I don't want to keep hiding and living in fear of these men.
"I don't trust Liam," Finn says, his eyes flicking to me before they return to the road.
"I don't trust him either," I admit, watching the road blur past us. "But he's the only one that can help us," I answer, hoping I'm not wrong about him.
We finished our coffee at Liam's, and before we left, he pulled Finn aside and they had a chat. I wondered what they spoke about. I know that seeing Liam, someone who Finn thought was dead, may have messed him up. I could see it in his body language when we were there, and I worry about him.
Now, we're driving to his other brother, who might kill us.
