Page 197 of Deceived Wrath

Footsteps sound behind me, and for a split second, I think it’s my son.

I whirl around but curse when I see it’s only Riley in the doorway, half asleep and carrying Aubrey in her arms.

“What’s going on?” she asks, looking panicked.

“Is Scout with you?”

“No…”

Understanding suddenly dawns on Riley’s face as she comes stumbling out of the house onto the front steps.

“Get back inside!” I order. “Now.”

Her eyes are flying all over the place as her arms tighten around her baby. “Cormac, where’s Scout?”

“Riley, please, get back in the house. I don’t know what’s out here?—”

“Cormac,” Fiona chokes.

“What?”

“It’s…Brennan.”

I turn around and scan the drive, and that’s when I see him.

“No…”

He’s sprawled awkwardly on the ground near the edge of the drive, a dark patch blooming on the gravel beneath his head.

For half a second, my brain refuses to process what I’m seeing until Riley’s cry of panic slices through the air.

I’m at his side in seconds, dropping to my knees and pressing two fingers to his neck, praying I can find a pulse.

A nasty gash pouring blood runs from his temple to his ear, matting his dark hair to his head, and under the floodlights, his complexion looks almost gray.

I grit my teeth. “Come on, come on. Don’t you dare fucking die on me, Brennan.”

“Oh, god.” Fiona sobs from behind me.

I move my fingers slightly, desperately trying to feel for a sign of a heartbeat. When I finally feel a faint pulse, I hang my head and exhale. “He’s alive. But barely.”

“What can I do?” Fiona asks.

I pull my gun out of my pocket and tuck it into the waistband of my pants before shrugging out of my jacket and holding it to the wound on Brennan’s head.

“I need you to put pressure on this while I call my brothers.”

“I’ll call them,” Riley offers.

I hadn’t noticed her approaching, and the sight of her holding Aubrey and looking so vulnerable makes my blood turn to ice.

“Get inside the house.”

Thankfully, she doesn’t argue with me.

I watch her disappear inside just to make sure she’s safe before turning back to Brennan.

Fiona’s eyes turn to me. “Cormac… What about Scout?”