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Cian and Rory are parked a few streets away. They insisted they come because this started with us three, and it’ll end the same way.
Hannah and Babydoll’s sister, Eva, are on Ethan watch. It’s been four days since he’s gone cold turkey, and he’s withdrawing badly. I didn’t want to leave him, but Hannah assured me she’d be okay. I’ve left her handcuffs and a Taser in case she needs them.
I would prefer to be there, but I don’t know when another opportunity like tonight will present itself again.
Hannah is armed to the teeth, and she knows how to shoot and not miss—she is a Kelly, after all. But I’m not taking any chances, which is why Ronan and his men are guarding the property. If anything happens to them, they’ll pay with their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
Relying on others is still a hard pill to swallow, but I’ve learned that I can’t do this on my own. Every person in my life has helped me in some way, and I need to accept that, for some reason, these people love and respect me.
Squashing down the questions I’ll never find answers to, I walk down the alleyway where the food deliveries are brought and transported down the hallway and into the kitchen of the cathedral-turned-venue for hire.
The fundraiser is in the crypt—seems very appropriate for what’s about to go down.
I see the delivery truck is right on time, just how Babydoll said it would be. I watch and wait as the deliverymen carry in crates of food and wine. When there is no one guarding the truck, I quickly make a beeline for it and reach for a wooden crate of wine bottles out of the back.
I’m in white overalls, the same uniform as the deliverymen, so no one questions me as I walk through the back door and into the venue, which will serve as my killing field.
The place is a flurry of people; everyone’s in a hurry to get things organized for tonight’s grand affair. I take in my surroundings, looking for exits in case I need to make a hasty departure. I walk past the kitchen, crate in hand, as it’s my excuse in case I get caught.
Babydoll said to meet her in the staff bathroom, which is the third door on the left. I continue walking like I belong here, and when I see the bathroom, I push open the door, sighing in relief when I see Babydoll standing in the middle of the room.
“Oh, thank God,” she says, rushing over to me.
I place the crate by the door so I can hug her.
She holds me tightly, her nerves clear as she trembles in my arms. “It’s goin’ to be okay, Baby.”
“I know. I’m just worried something will go wrong.”
“Don’t be thinkin’ that. Nothin’ will go wrong,” I assure her because I will not fail.
Tonight, Iwillkill the man who murdered my ma, and by doing so, I’ll challenge my dad to come out of hiding. Once I commit this sin, everyone who associates themselves with me will be in danger. Those I love will be used as pawns.
I wish it were different, but it’s not. They all know the risks, yet, here they are, sticking their neck out for me.
Holding Babydoll out at arm’s length, I level her with a soft gaze. “It’ll be all right.”
She sighs, not appearing convinced.
“Ya look lovely,” I say, wanting to compliment her because she looks beautiful.
She’s wearing a jeweled white ball gown. It dips low, but it’s tasteful with a mesh collar. Her hair is twisted into an elegant bun, and her face has a light coat of makeup. Her lips are a succulent pink, and it takes all my willpower not to press my mouth to hers and mess up her masterpiece.
“Thank you,” she says with a small smile. “I have your tux.”
She retrieves a suit bag hanging from a toilet door and hands it to me.
I slip out of my overalls and change into the suit, feeling empowered, knowing this outfit will end the life of the man who’s haunted my dreams since I was five years old.
Babydoll steps forward and extends her hand, gesturing for the bow tie. “Here, let me help you.”
With expertise, she begins knotting my tie, but it seems she needs to keep busy in fear her mind will wander otherwise. I understand this is a lot for her, but I know asking her to sit this one out isn’t an option. So all I can do is assure her that things will be all right.
She has tears in her eyes once she finishes. I grip her trembling fingers in mine. “I was thinkin’, once this is over with, maybe we could go on a…date?”
My question catches her off guard, and I suddenly feel stupid for asking.
“A date?” she says, her lips twitching. “I think we’re past dating.”
