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My head felt so heavy as I looked over at where Dare was crouched beside me, my eyebrows drawing close in confusion and surprise at his revelation. “Then why...I don’t understand.”
“Because he pulled you into this world,” Dare said meaningfully, going back to his earlier words. “Because of him, this wholly different target has been placed on you, and he’s trying to keep you safe by undoing all of it. But panicking the way he is puts my wife and the rest of us in danger.”
A warning chill swept over my body, leaving bumps on my skin at the shift in Dare’s tone and the way he was watching me.
Because I knew from the look he was giving me that he wanted something from me. Expected it. And as I sat there, throat constricting and choking me with the words gathering there, I worried I already knew what it was.
“Diggs knows battles and enemies and their strategies, but he isn’t thinking clearly because he just wants you as far from this as possible.”
“Wha—” I choked over the question, my head listing as I cleared my throat and struggled to take a breath. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“If I send Maverick and Diggs, I get my wife back. No doubt,” Dare said with a subtle dip of his chin. “I send them with you here? With you anywhere? Diggs’ fear over Lachlan Keane getting his hands on you will have him slipping up. Faltering. Getting himself or the rest of us hurt.”
My heart slammed painfully against my ribs as a cold fear settled over me. Because even though his words could easily be taken that way, I had a feeling Dare didn’t plan on killing me. Despite Diggs’ insistence on getting me far away from him, I knew down to my soul he wouldn’t let that happen.
But the other option?
“You said you weren’t trading me,” I said under my breath, the words coming out shaky and uncertain.
“I won’t,” Dare vowed. “But as long as you’re wanted by KSG in any way, Diggs won’t be in the right headspace, and I can’t do this without him.” A darkness passed over his face and slipped into his voice when he added, “And I am getting my fucking wife back. Tonight.”
My tongue darted out to wet my lips as my stare once again drifted to the doorway. My entire being screaming in protest at the heavy, expectant silence bleeding from Dare.
This mafia Boss.
This family of the man I loved.
“And to make it so I’m no longer wanted by KSG...to get Diggs in the headspace you need...” I began, trying to sound understanding when I wasn’t sure I could understand. When a part of me was silently begging Diggs to come through the door and put an end to this insane plan before the idea could be fully breathed into the world. “You want—”
“I’m going to take you,” Dare said firmly.
A shuddering breath ripped from me. Denials and accusations rose and mixed with my confusion. Before I could get any of them out, he continued.
“Diggs is sure they’ll be waiting for when we leave to get Lily—leave you unprotected. Which means some of them are nearby,” he informed me. “If I make the call that the trade’s happening and that I have you? Any KSG hanging around here will get called back to follow us—to make sure I take you where I’m supposed to.”
“And how is that not doing exactly what you’ve been saying you wouldn’t?”
“You really underestimate what you mean to him if you think Diggs wouldn’t raze the world to protect you. When he realizes I’ve taken you? Our small lead will be nothing for the rest of my family to take over.” Dare’s voice lowered to a soft murmur. “The twins will have my wife before we make it to the KSG. The hardest part will be assuring Diggs you’re safe and calling him off.”
“Why not just tell Diggs what you’re doing?”
Dare’s head shifted just enough to let me know that wasn’t an option. “Then his focus will be wherever he knows I have you, not where he thinks you might be. Where I need it to be.”
I nodded on a delay as I absorbed his plan, as convoluted as it all seemed.
But I understood what Dare was leaving out—I would still be in danger. More than before.
Because Dare planned on lying to the Keane Street Gang to get his wife back. Not just with feeble words but with promises of human flesh. I understood, of course, but it took me from being wanted by this Lachlan Keane person to being in danger for deceiving this terrifying gang. Because I had no doubt they would still come for me, just as Dare had warned me about earlier.
Again, I understood because Dare was worried about the now. He was worried about Lily. I also understood a man like Dare was already worried about and preparing for the fallout...
“I can’t even begin to grasp this life of yours, but if I know KSG won’t just let you get away with something like that, then you’re very aware of that too.” At the slight hardening of Dare’s jaw, I added, “I also have a feeling you don’t want to do this plan because Diggs is your family—you just said that. And making him think you’re giving me over would hurt him. It would hurt your relationship. So, I understand what you really want.”
Dare studied me for a while before nodding. “Except, I would never ask that of any of my family, so I won’t ask it of you. And Keane Street will retaliate...someday. But we can prepare for that later.”
“Or I—”
“Willow, if you offer yourself up to Lachlan Keane, we’ll just take you back. Diggs will take you back,” he ground out. “There will be retaliation no matter what we do because I’m not leaving my wife with those fucking assholes, and I assure you, Diggs feels the same about you.”
