“How long’ve you two worked together?”Brantley asked.
“Six months,” Kieran said, seeming to find the toe of his boot fascinating.
“Doing what?”
His gaze lifted, coming to rest on Brantley’s face.“An undercover assignment.”
Jesus, it was like pulling teeth.“Focused on?”
Kieran swallowed again, his Adam’s apple bobbing.“Censorious.”
Brantley’s shoulders tensed.“Meaning what?That you’ve infiltrated the group?’
He nodded.“Allison was already workin’ with them.I was handpicked to go in, pretend to be interested in their work.”
Brantley did not like the direction this was going.“You do know Allison’s in Calloway’s pocket, right?”
Kieran grimaced.“Not by choice, I assure you.”
Putting his hands on his hips, he squared off with Kieran.“And your role?”
“Ultimately, I’m responsible for gettin’ her out, but…”
“But what?”
When Kieran didn’t respond, Brantley’s frustration level reached its tipping point.He took a step closer.“What aren’t you tellin’ us, Kieran?”
Kieran’s brown eyes widened, and there was something in them … something that looked a lot like … fear.
If it weren’t for the fact that Brantley was desperate for answers, he would’ve felt sorry for Kieran.Whatever it was that the man was holding back was clearly difficult for him.
Unfortunately, Brantley had surpassed his capacity for empathy.
Travis stood there, waiting for his cousinto share whatever was bothering him.It was urgent based on the man’s expression.And likely personal if Kieran’s avoidance of eye contact was anything to go by.Not that they were close or anything, but Kieran was family, so he thought that meant something.
Taking a step forward, he decided to get this show on the road.“Look.I’m sure Brantley’ll help you look for your partner, but right now—”
“I know where Kylie is,” Kieran blurted.
A roaring sound erupted between his ears as he stared at the man, wondering if he’d heard him correctly.
“Where?”Reese insisted, stepping forward, inserting himself between Travis and Kieran.
“I can’t tell you.Not until you agree to help me.”
The roaring intensified, as did the fury that propelled him forward.Before he knew he was doing it, Travis had shoved Reese out of the way and had Kieran by the shirt, jerking him forward.
“Tell me,” he seethed.“Where the fuck is she?”
Kieran’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t back down.He shook his head.“Not until—”
Travis released his grip on Kieran’s shirt, causing him to stumble back.He lunged, then threw a punch that glanced off the man’s jaw.He threw another and another, and he would’ve continued if it weren’t for Brantley and Gage pulling him off of him.
“Let me go,” Travis insisted, lurching forward, not finished beating on the man.
“Travis, stop,” Gage said firmly, speaking right in his ear.“This isn’t helping.”
Maybe not, but it made him feel better.
