A sharp knock on the passenger window jolts me. A uniformed police officer stands beside my car. I roll the window down, keeping my expression neutral even as my pulse hammers in my throat.
"Ma'am, your meter expired fifteen minutes ago," he says, gesturing toward the post. "You need to pay up or move along."
"Sorry, officer," I say. "I was just leaving."
He nods and steps away.
I start the engine, but I look one last time through the window.
She's laughing again. Hair catching the light. And it makes me the happiest I've been in a long time.
As I pull away from the curb, I tell myself this has to be it.
No more visits.
It's too dangerous.
But part of me already knows I'll be back.
6
DECLAN
Callum is pacing in front of the long dining room table like he owns the air in the room. Maybe he does. Being the firstborn Killaney comes with a crown none of us asked for.
"We lost another shipment," he says, taking a sip from his glass. "Third in two months. That's not a coincidence."
The family conference room feels too stuffy, even without the old man.
"Then what is it? Because I'm handling my end. East Coast distribution is cleaner than it's ever been."
"I'm not saying it's your fault," Callum says. "I'm saying we've got a problem."
"Do we?" I ask, leaning forward. "I mean, shit happens."
Callum slams his palm on the table. "Yes, we do, Declan. And who the fuck is ballsy enough to come after us, huh? This family hasn't suffered shipment losses like this since 2017."
I consider what he said. A stat I maybe should have known, but didn't. "Okay, so we've got a rat," I say, finishing my drink. "Find it. Kill it. Problem solved."
"It's not that simple," Keira says, chiming in. "The shipments were hit on three different routes, so that's three different crews. Nobody knew all those details except us."
Callum rubs his face, frustrated. "I've got men doing recon at the docks, more eyes on the warehouse. Nothing. No footprints. No trace. Whoever's hitting us knows how to disappear."
"What's Dad think?" I ask.
The room goes silent for a moment.
"He's not himself," Callum finally offers.
"What does that mean?" Keira asks.
"Last week he completely forgot who we were meeting with, and yesterday, I saw him cough blood into his napkin at dinner. He tried to hide it, but I saw. He said it was nothing. Then left."
I stand abruptly. "I'm sorry, so what are you saying?"
"Yeah, Callum, did you call Dr. Mills?"
He shakes his head. "Mom did. He's having testing done now," he says and takes a drink. "That's why he's not here."
