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“And you’re of the world that believes prisons and the justice system are all it takes to make things right,” my husband argued. “I’m fromthisworld, but even I was shocked when I saw him.”
“You’ve seen him?”
“I have.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Is that something you’re keeping from me?”
“No. You can see the livestream Conor sent. He probably has recordings of it.” Finn shrugged. “But I have to tell you, sweetheart, that I’ve worked long and hard to keep you out of the business. With every step you take down this path, you’re driving yourself deeper into a conspiracy charge.”
Conor nodded, and his tone was easy as he reasoned, “He’s right, Aoife. Conspiracy to commit murder comes with the same penalties as murder one.”
A part of me wanted to scream at them, wanted to question if they thought I was dumb as shit if they didn’t think I knew that already. But I saw that both of them were just trying to protect me.
That was what the O’Donnellys did, after all. They protected their women.
Just like they’d protected Lena.
But what about my mom?
My mom deserved protection too.
She deserved justice, dammit.
Jaw clenched, I shoved Conor aside, preferring to stop talking about this and to just get on with it. Only trouble was, my gag reflex began being triggered with every step I damn well took.
By the time I was at the foot of whatever torture device Conor had conjured up, my eyes watered with the need to puke.
Beholding the monstrosity of what was once a normal man who’d worn expensive suits like the rest of the Five Points, and who drove Lena around like she was Queen Bee, I wasn’t going to lie—Finn was right.
I shouldn’t be here.
Every instinct I possessed demanded I get the hell away from his hideous place, that I go and scrub off the atrocious scent that stained the air I breathed, that I erase every part of today and go down the selective amnesia route.
But I couldn’t.
Because what I’d said earlier was right—this man was the reason my mother was dead. And I’d been next on his list of targets.
Only Finn shoving his way into my life had saved me. Only his extortion had spared me from the worst fate of all.
Though, as I looked at Michael, I had to reason that being mowed down wasn’t so bad as this.
The man’s blackened eyelids fluttered at the sound of our footsteps and the pain and despair hidden within those depths had my heart pounding double time.
A million questions surged into being, each one landing on my tongue before flittering away.
Eventually, I settled on: “Am I still in danger from your people?”
My voice sounded strange to my ears, but I knew I didn’t sound that funny that he couldn’t understand me. He turned his head to the side, and I knew he was ignoring me. Conor did too.
When I saw the flash of light snapping at his wrists and ankles, I almost heaved, especially as that scent hit me like a slap to the face.
Finn was there, holding me up, and it was so bad that I let him. His arms moved around my waist, and he propped me up, being my strength while I dealt with this horror show.
“YES!” Michael screamed before Conor stopped the electrical charge, allowing him to slur, “But only… if the… secret of who… your father really… is comes out.”
He panted so hard it reminded me of an overheated dog locked in a car. I stared at him in horror, realizing that I’d never imagined this…
It needed to stop.
