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I do find it strange Bragan was so easy to capture. He didn’t put up a fight, and he didn’t even try to get away. Perhaps he was blindsided that we’d arrived at the bar, or maybe he didn’t want McCallum findin’ him first. Either way, I’m goin’ta get ta the bottom of this.
“What the feck are ye doin’ here?” I demand by way of greeting.
McCallum doesn’t respond fer a while, then he smiles. “I overheard ye’ve got the wee American girl,” he tells me. “And I’ve also found out the Bastards have got Bragan in their warehouse.”
“Aye, there isn’t any way ye’re goin’ta get ta him now,” I tell him.
I’m sure McCallum wants him dead, and he can be certain that Patrick Bragan isn’t goin’ta be alive for much longer.
“Oh, I don’t want him. I just need ta know he’s goin’ta pay fer his sins. And when he does, I’ll step up into his shoes.” Everything clicks into place as he speaks. The fecker wanted this all along. But there’s more ta the story than meets the eye. The glint of satisfaction that’s shinin’ in his stare sets me on edge.
“What is it ye’re not tellin’ me?” I don’t want to start an altercation in the hospital, even though they’ve probably seen worse. But if it comes down ta it, I’ll feckin’ do it.
“There’s one tiny problem with my plan,” Ronan says. “Yer wee girlfriend needs to go. I can’t take over the organisation if she’s in the country.”
“She’s not leavin’ fer ye,” I tell him as anger takes ahold of me. I’m not lettin’ Clover go because of this piece of shite.
“If ye think ye’re standin’ in my way, Sully, then ye have another thing comin’,” he warns, and I can tell he’s not givin’ this up anytime soon.
“So, ye’re plannin’ on gettin’ rid of all Bragan’s family?”
McCallum thinks Clover is a problem, but I don’t know if he realises there are two other obstacles in his way—Bragan’s daughters—Miren and Callia.
“Aye, if I have ta.” He nods. “Tell that wee thing ye’ve been shaggin’ I’m goin’ta make her life a nightmare if she doesn’t leave Belfast. I don’t need the organisation learnin’ who she is.”
“Ye said there’s an agent in Belfast.” When I saw him last, he mentioned an American agent in the country. He must have thought it was Clover. But she’s not an agent.
“Aye, there is one,” he tells me. “I know it ain’t yer girl, though, but she’s got somethin’ ta do with it, and I will find out what it is.” He leans in close, his face in mine. “Get rid of her. She needs to leave soon, or I’ll get my boyos ta do the job ye can’t.”
He doesn’t wait for a response. I watch him walk away, while my hands fist at my sides. I’m not sure what the feck is goin’ on, but it’s time Clover tells me everythin’.
When I finally find coffee, I head back to the waitin’ room. This is the worst part about these places. There’s nothin’ ta do but spend time with yer thoughts. And mine are a feckin’ mess right now. I don’t know what Clover’s been hidin’ from me. Her story checked out—her comin’ here because she knew her da lived in Ireland when he was a child, and her reachin’ out to her uncle because he could help her escape. But if she’s workin’ with an agent, why didn’t they help her?
Nothin’ makes sense. I don’t understand it, and I need answers. The more I pace back and forth, the more anxious I get. My stomach’s in knots by the time the door opens and the doctor walks in.
“She’s going to be fine,” he tells me. “She’s been asking fer ye. We rarely allow non-family members into the rooms, but she says you’re the only person she knows here.”
“Aye, thanks, Doc,” I tell him as he leads me down the long, brightly lit hospital corridor.
I feckin’ hate these places. Nothin’ good ever comes from bein’ in them. I’ve heard all the heartbreakin’ stories about family members havin’ta say goodbye. I never want to experience that kinda grief. It’s why I spent most of my younger years on my own, and it’s why I choose not to stay at the clubhouse. As much as I love the brothers, I’ve always distanced myself from emotion, from lovin’ people. I’m loyal ta them, I’ll die fer them, but I don’t know how I’d feel if I were to lose one of them.
And that’s what scares the feck out of me.
When I walk into the room, and I see Clover, my chest tightens, because there are more secrets in her eyes than ever before. And she needs ta come clean.
No more hidin’.
TWELVE
CLOVER
When he walks in, I’m nervous. I can tell from the look on his face, he’s not happy. There are so many things I should have told him, but now there’s no longer a reason to hide the truth. I’ve made a decision that, once I get out of here, I’m going home. I can’t put him in danger, and I can’t hurt him anymore.
