“We brought you Rafael Chiaroscuro,” Ryan says coolly. “Just like you asked. Now, where’s Riley?”
Tatsuo’s mad gaze rakes over me, lingering on my face with unmistakable satisfaction. “You failed to follow my orders. I asked for hisheadas a sign of your renewed loyalty to me.”
Ryan snorts. “If you want it, you can take it yourself. I’m not interested in doing other people’s dirty work.”
A flicker of amusement crosses Tatsuo’s face. “Bold. Or foolish.”
“That depends on how this ends. We’re willing to work with you. But you’ve proven how flimsy your word is, and you’re currently still holding onto something that doesn’t belong to you.”
The statement has more layers than one, reminding Tatsuo that he didn’t just kidnap Riley—he failed to give the Murrays the territory they were promised.
And cold animosity flickers beneath the surface of the old man’s scrutiny, making my pulse race.
“Rusty on your negotiation techniques, Tatsuo?” I goad.
It’s risky, speaking up right now, but if I don’t, I’m worried the half-madoyabunmight do something drastic before Aisling can get her hands on Riley. I can feel my wife quivering beside me, brimming with fear and fury, and keep my eyes locked ahead of me. Because I know that if I look at her, I’ll lose my head.
“Maybe if you incentivized the Murrays, they’d be more willing to get the job done. You know, show them the girl is still alive? Or are you telling me that an unpracticed, untried Don like me knows more about negotiations than you?”
I can hear the old man’s teeth grinding all the way from here, and his men’s hands twitch toward their blades. Maybe I took it a step too far.
Then Aisling’s hand comes out of nowhere, sharp and vengeful as she slaps me hard enough to make my ears ring. “You’re done speaking about my family like we’re trained dogs who can be won over with a treat. Let the grown-ups talk,” she commands like the queen she is.
God, but as I lift my eyes to hers, I’ve never been more in love with her than I am right now.
She’s fierce and defiant and so damn strong, I’m certain the whole world could collapse around her and she’d still be standing if that’s what it took to protect our daughter.
And still, I can catch the glimmer of apology in her azure eyes. I give her the smallest nod of encouragement—then suck my split lip into my mouth and spit blood at her feet.
Tatsuo claps his hands once, making Aisling start, and she whirls to face him as Cillian and Patrick pull their sister back to safety.
“I like you,” the oldoyabunsays, his dark eyes sparkling as he smiles at Aisling. “For you, dear, I’ll compromise.” Then he casts a sharp gaze toward two of his men. “Bring the girl.”
I catch the sound of a sliding door opening down the hall, then a small, frightened gasp.
My breath punches out of me as Riley is brought forward between the two guards, her tiny hand clenched around a stuffed rabbit that looks like it’s been dragged through hell. Her hair is mussed, her cheeks tear-streaked.My daughter.
Aisling makes a broken sound, straining forward, only stopped by one of her brothers’ hands on her arms.
“Riley,” she breathes, dropping to her knees and opening her arms.
The guards release her, and Riley stumbles forward.
“Sissy!” She runs.
Aisling catches her as Riley launches herself into her mother’s arms, and they cling to each other, Aisling burying her face in Riley’s hair, sobbing openly now, her whole body shaking.
Relief detonates inside my chest so violently, it hurts.
She’s alive. She’s safe. For one impossible, breathless moment, nothing else matters.
Tatsuo watches the reunion with detached interest.
“Thank you,” Aisling murmurs, finding Tatsuo over Riley’s dark curls, then she turns toward the door, Cillian and Patrick flanking her.
Tatsuo raises a hand, and the guards move, barricading her exit with partially drawn swords.
Aisling turns, Riley still clutched tightly against her, confusion flickering across her face. “What’s going on?”