“A fucking Molotov cocktail,” Sean says.
“Then came another. And another. They tossed enough to light up the whole back wall of the building. It went up before my eyes like kindling.”
“Did they come at you?”
“They didn’t need to. The fire was spreading. So I ran back inside. Figured I could save the cash in the safe.”
At the disapproving shake of Killian’s head, Tom coughs and then slurps down some of the water he’s been offered.
“There was more than fifteen grand in there. I’m not made of money, even covered by insurance like I am. Foolish to try. I have the evidence to show that now, don’t I?” he asks, holding up his bandaged arms. He adds a self-depreciating laugh. “Stupid old fart. Should’ve just ran.”
My stomach roils at the sight of his injuries.
It takes some effort just to swallow, even more to keep my gaze on Tom and not feel sorry for him.
He gave me a job when he didn’t need to. Now his pub’s gone up in smoke and he’s in the hospital with second-degree burns.
This is my fault.
“You’re not stupid,” I murmur. “You were just trying to protect your livelihood.”
“She’s right, Tom. The Banshee’s your prized possession,” Sean says. “You shouldn’t’ve had to run from what’s yours.”
Killian’s heard enough. He turns to Sean and Cian and asks them to head outside. He needs a word. As the three menturn for the door, I waffle between interfering and remaining silent.
I’m lucky enough Killian brought me along. Maybe I shouldn’t push my luck.
I do anyway, taking half a step after him.
“Killian,” I say. “Don’t you think you should hold off? Think things through. We still don’t know exactly what happened and?—”
“Stay in your place,” he snaps, his dark blue eyes blazing. He’s rounded on me so fast I take an involuntary step back. “This is beyond you now. They attacked our territory. They burned down our fucking bar and nearly killed one of our own. This isn’t something we think through or wait on. This iswar.”
The blood drains from my face, and my next heartbeat stutters inside my chest.
I fall mute again, unable to do much else except stare up at him.
He turns away again and then strides out of the hospital room, the door swinging shut behind him.
He’s right that it’s technically not my place.
I’m not part of this family. I’m the stray. The server girl he felt sorry for and took under his wing. The liability he’s been protecting, to his own detriment.
But he’s wrong that it’s beyond me now—it’sbecauseof me.
I’ve brought these problems to their doorstep, and now things are only escalating. If they were smart, they would turn me away. They’d realize Fedorov has no plans on ever stopping until he gets his way.
I have to remind myself this is about Eva.
Everything I do is for her. I can’t control the war brewing between the Callahans and the Raguzins, but Icanfight to get my baby sisterback.
I’ll make it happen at any cost.
With Killian and the others gone, I pad over to Tom’s bedside. “Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?”
“Don’t worry about me, kid,” he wheezes with a wave of his bandaged hand. “I’ve survived worse than a couple burns. Old farts like me are bound to kick the bucket sooner or later.”
“That’s not funny.”
