Page 166 of Deceived Wrath

“You would do well to remember that you brought your niece into this little deal, so I suggest you figure out where the laptop is and delete the file.”

The line goes dead, and I have to clamp a hand over my mouth to muffle the sob that escapes it.

If Lorcan even suspects that my alliance is wavering, he won’t hesitate to use Amber to keep me in line, which means I’m going to have to find that laptop. Even if it destroys me in the process.

Cormac’s footsteps sound on the stairs, so I quickly shove the phone into my pocket and take a deep breath.

My hands are shaking again, but at least it won’t seem odd given the circumstances.

Cormac appears, carrying a sleeping Scout over his shoulder. The way his eyes scan the living room as if he’s expecting an ambush makes my heart race.

“Ready?” he mouths, and I nod.

“Daddy, are we going for a sleepover?” Scout mumbles.

“We sure are. But it’s a surprise, so you have to go back to sleep.”

“Okay…”

I can’t hold back the tears any longer as I watch Scout cling to Cormac.

They’ve barely had a chance to be a proper family. I just have to hope that whatever Lorcan wants me to erase, I can use it to help Cormac end him for good.

“Stay close,” Cormac warns as we take the elevator down to the garage.

I bite back the questions burning at my throat as I help carry the bags.

Every instinct screams at me to find answers because I need to know what happened tonight and why he looks like he’s been through hell, but I stay silent.

I help Cormac maneuver Scout into his booster seat, and while I buckle him in, Cormac throws our bags into the trunk of the car. Neither one of us says a word.

Inside, my mind is a storm of panic, and from the look on Cormac’s face, his is the same.

I climb into the passenger seat, but I can’t buckle my seatbelt due to my shaking hands.

“Comeon,” I mutter.

My eyes are so full of tears that I can barely see straight.

But then my door opens, and Cormac is there, placing his hands over mine to steady them.

“Breathe,” he whispers.

I choke on a sob, and he squeezes my hands.

“Breathe, Fi.”

I screw my eyes shut, hating the tears that stream down my cheeks.

“Just…breathe.”

I do as Cormac says, taking a long inhale and exhale, while he quickly buckles me in.

He takes my face in his hands and gently wipes away my tears. “I’ve got you. I need you to trust me.”

“I trust you.”

I don’t open my eyes again until Cormac is behind the wheel and the engine starts rumbling.