It didn’t mean I had to actually give a damn about her.
Even as Dad accused me of harboring feelings for her, I was in denial. I insisted it was just me getting to know the woman or learning how to find common ground since we were stuck with each other.
The lie became increasingly difficult to keep up as time went by. But what I didn’t expect was to be confronted with the possibility she and her family had been playing me all along.
I damn sure didn’t anticipate how betrayed it would make me feel—or how I’d feel in the face ofSimone being in danger.
In light of my suspicions beingwrong. If Dren’s got her, then she didn’t betray the family at all. The suspicion was misguided when Eddie was the lowlife backstabbing his own flesh and blood.
Simone’s innocent. Her life is in peril becauseIdidn’t protect her like I said I would, and now our mistrust in each other has been used against me.
We’ve left Manhattan behind. Killian slows down as we come within a few blocks of the warehouse address.
“Jesus Christ,” he says, braking. “You really are a lovesick fool, Ronan. Doing this.”
I cut him a sidelong glance, unfazed by the ribbing. “Maybe someday you’ll understand. ’Til then, shut the fuck up and do what I tell you. Pull over and drop me off. Then get out of here. Don’t interfere, no matter what happens.”
The boneman doesn’t like it. His features sharpen, though he does as he’s told and brakes a block away from the warehouse.
“I don’t like this,” he grits out. “I don’t fucking like it at all.”
“You don’t have to like it. But this is what it’s come down to.”
“If you die tonight, I’m gonna be really fucking pissed at you.”
“Then let’s hope I survive the night.”
They’re my parting words as I get out of the SUV and start down the street. The January night provides an immediate chill, the temperatures so low the air freezes into frost. Cold weather’s not enough to distract me from what I’ve got to do.
My long black coat billows as I stride down the street, and the high beams from the SUV fade. Killian’s driven off, and I’m officially alone.
I’ve got nobody but me, myself, and I against Dren and his men.
But I’m not about to cower in fear. I’ve never been one to shy away from a fight, and I ain’t about to start now.
If anything, I’m cockier. More fucking hardheaded and determined than ever to find a way out of this situation.
My thoughts narrow to defeating Dren, saving Simone, and throttling my nephew ’til his eyes pop out of their sockets. I won’t go down ’til I’ve accomplished all three. Once I do, death can take me if it’s necessary.
I’m just not about to go out without taking these bastards with me.
The warehouse appears on the next block. I stride toward it as if this is some civilized business meeting I’m showing up for and not some potential death sentence where my nemesis has stacked the chips against me.
Two of Dren’s men await my arrival. As I head toward the front entrance, they’re ready with weapons visibly resting on their hips. They study me on approach with eyes full of loathing.
They hate my fucking guts. The feeling’s more than mutual.
“Am I late for the party?” I ask loudly. “I came as fast as I could once I heard my buddy Dren was throwing one.”
The men merely glare as I pass them up and stroll into the warehouse like it’s my territory and not theirs. But as I make it inside, more men step up to pat me down. They quickly and efficiently check that I’ve come unarmed as requested then steal my phone.
“Ronan Callahan,” the fucker with a unibrow says. “The boss is expecting you.”
“He better make this quick.”
I start forward without waiting for their instruction, heading for the main floor where the entryway leads to.
Sure enough, the large room opens up to reveal crates and machines and Dren standing with his men.