Page 51 of Dirty Legacy

“She’s pregnant.” I slip the book back onto the shelf. “It wasn’t an easy decision, what I did with Sinead. But⁠—“

“Shit,” Rowan says quietly. “But Angelina’s pregnant and you had to do the right thing.”

“I’m sorry.” I can’t look at my little sister. My shoulders slump and my fingers dig into the wood of the bookshelf. There isn’t a single person in this world I care about more than Rowan, and she’s the only one I could ever talk to like this.

Outside, I’m the boss. There’s only strength, blood, money, and power. If I show even a hint of weakness, I’m dead.

But with my little sister, I can be a person, and right now, this person is aching over all the ways I’ve fucked this up.

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“I started a war, Rowan. People are going to die. They’re going to bleed. I put you and Dad and Danielle in danger, all for some girl you’ve never met. I left Sinead Gallagher at the fucking altar, and now even Declan Whelan won’t support me. All because I’m a selfish piece of shit.”

The weight of it hits me. Since I took Angie at gunpoint, I haven’t let the situation settle. But now it’s on my shoulders like a mountain, and I’m struggling to hold it all up.

“You’re not selfish.” Rowan sits up, crossing her legs under her. “Honestly, Con? I’m proud of you.”

I let out a short laugh. “Bullshit.”

“I mean it. You didn’t have to marry Angelina, but you did it anyway. You did the right thing even though it’s causing you hella problems. I respect that.”

“Danielle doesn’t. She’s pissed.”

“Since when did you care what she thought?”

“I don’t.” I turn to face my little sister. “Thank you for saying that.”

“I mean it too. I don’t know all the details about these Gallagher people. You and Dad try to keep me in the dark, but I’m not an idiot. I hear stuff. And I’m telling you, I don’t think you could have lived with yourself if you had gone through with that wedding with Sinead. They’ll get over it eventually.”

“They really won’t.”

“Then you’ll make them.” Her smile is all confidence. “And Danielle will learn to love this place.”

“She definitely won’t.” I move to the door and pause to hold my fist out for a bump. “I’ll check on you again later.”

“Idiot,” she says, hopping up and hugging me.

I pat her back. She hasn’t been very affectionate for a while, not since she started getting older. I remember when she was little, she’d hug and kiss and snuggle me all the time. I adored Rowan back then, and I think I’ve only grown to love her even more as she’s gotten older and come into her own.

But she’s wrong.

I didn’t do the right thing.

Sending Angelina to a clinic then marrying Sinead would’ve been right. That would’ve saved lives, blood, and treasure.

No, I married Angie because I wanted to.

I’m two steps from Rowan’s room when Deck comes hurrying toward me. Dad’s ushering Danielle away and she’s grumbling the whole time.

“Boss, got a situation.” Deck throws a look over my shoulder. “Looks like you’re in the middle of one too.”

“Ignore her. What’s happening?”

“Some guys were caught lurking around the west salvage yard. You want me to handle it?”

“We’ll go together. Grab some good soldiers.”

“You think it’s the Gallaghers?”