Page 127 of Godless Saints

I met his eyes.

“You’ve spent years building House of Moon. The Carricks see a weakness they can exploit. I see an opportunity to make you untouchable. The difference is I know exactly how they think. And I know how to make them stop.”

“And what do you expect in return?”

“Your son.”

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. “Please. You’re the mafia. What could you possibly want with Hyun-seo?”

“Marry him.”

Nathaniel stared at me without blinking.

“You have known my son for a matter of months.”

“Long enough to know there isn’t a future I want that doesn’t include him.”

I kept my hands loose on the arm of the chair. No need to dress it up. He already knew what I was.

Nathaniel leaned back, studying me with cool assessment. “Hyun told me over the phone the Writ is in Declan’s hands now. Get rid of Declan, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Get rid of Declan?”

Nathaniel leaned forward, eyes cold. “That’s what you mafia guys do, isn’t it? Remove Declan. Remove the Blood Writ on my son. Do that, and protect House of Moon from Carrick Maritime, then you’ve proved you’re useful. Whether you’ll ever measure up to my son is another question. He and I are already on strained terms. I do not intend to lose him over you.”

He paused, studying me like I was a disappointing investment. “But to be frank, all I see is a thug in an expensive suit.”

He stood. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting.”

I rose with him.

He moved toward the elevator, then paused with his finger over the button. He turned. “And Mr. Ashbourne… if you fail, don’t come back.”

I stood there long after the elevator had already dropped several floors below. Fuck. I had just asked Lorcan to handle Seamus Carrick, and now I needed to get rid of Declan.

No way I could involve my family in this. They’d never sign off on killing one of the Carricks. Several wars would start between the clans.

This was something I had to take care of myself.

***

“Hello, my Irish friend.”

I fisted his shirt and dragged him after me. I didn’t stop until we’d cleared Briar House, left Thorn Court behind, and were heading toward the glass house.

“Hey, Cil? What the fuck are we doing here?”

I let go of Misha’s sweater and scanned the area. We were alone.

“I need you to help me kill Declan.” I stared at him dead on.

Misha started chuckling, shoulders shaking, until his eyes went wild. “Kill Declan? Declan fucking Carrick? I thought you’d never ask.”

“Moon’s father wants the Writ gone. Declan has it now. He has to go. I found out he’s invited to the hunt. We sneak in during initiation, masks on, and take him out. The only problem is I don’t know what mask he’ll be wearing, but judging by his size, we should be able to spot the big bastard.”

“Guess? Cil, give me some credit. I already know Kaelan’s invited. He and Sawyer tied Declan up in the Vesper basement during the ball. He can help us.”

“Kaelan and Sawyer tied up Declan? Fuck, I wish I’d seen that.”