Page 146 of The Hunter's Empire

I watch another wave crash against the rocks below. "The Keegans won't surrender easily."

"I know." His confidence doesn't surprise me.

Stefano has always been five moves ahead of everyone else. Unfortunately, that includes me. There's one part of this operation I still haven't forgiven him for.

"You should have told me." The words leave my mouth softer than I intend, carried away by the ocean breeze between us.

Stefano doesn't ask what I mean. He already knows.

"You were planning to work with the 'Ndrangheta." I let the name linger for a moment before meeting the horizon again. "You know I have a history with them."

Silence hums through the line. When he finally speaks, there's a quiet resignation in his voice.

"It wasn't part of the original plan. It only became necessary at the last minute."

I lean against the balcony railing, my grip tightening around the receiver. "You still should've told me."

"I couldn't."

A humorless laugh escapes me. "You found a way to move weapons onto the island and coordinate with one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Europe, but you couldn't find a way to warn me?"

"It wasn't about finding a way." His voice remains calm. "By the time they accepted the contract, you were already inside Fergus's estate. Every communication channel connected to you was compromised. One intercepted message would've exposed your cover, alerted the Keegans, and undone months of planning."

I close my eyes. I hate that part of me understands.

"No one else was willing to challenge the Keegan family." He continues. "The 'Ndrangheta was."

"They're unpredictable."

"So are you."

A quiet sigh leaves me as I rub my temple. "I've spent enough time around them to know exactly how dangerous they are."

"I know." He says. "I also knew you'd adapt."

His confidence doesn't reassure me nearly as much as he seems to think it should.

"Next time," I say after a long pause, "don't put me in that position again."

"I'll do everything I can to make sure you aren't." It's not quite a promise but it's the closest I'm going to get.

The tension between us gradually fades, allowing the conversation to drift toward quieter matters.

"And you?" He asks.

I glance over the gardens below, untouched by the morning rush. "I don't sleep much."

After a brief pause, I ask the question that's been lingering in the back of my mind. "How's Roisin?"

A short silence follows on the other end of the line.

"Interesting." Stefano says eventually. "I don't remember mentioning that she was with us."

"You didn't. I assumed you wouldn't leave her there."

"She's safe." He says finally. "That's all I can tell you."

Relief settles quietly in my chest before I can stop it. It's enough. More than enough.