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Before I can order Mark to find that prick, my mobile phone rings, jarring me out of my thoughts. Something deep inside urges me to answer, even though this situation needs my immediate attention. Swiping my thumb across the screen, I bring the phone to my ear.
“Ciarán,” Summer’s voice comes through, her words rushed and panicked. “Cathal’s taken me. He said if you don’t talk to him, he’ll hurt me. Please, Ciarán... I don’t know what to do.”
My heart hammers in my chest, rage and fear intertwining as I grip the phone tightly—that bastard. I should’ve known he’d stoop this low to get my attention.
“Summer, listen to me,” I say, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me. “I’m going to find you, and I’ll make sure you’re safe. And then I’m going to make that fucker pay for what he’s done.”
“He says you know the place. Please hurry,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “I don’t know how much time I have.”
“I will not let you down. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The line goes dead, leaving me with nothing but the burning need to save Summer from my brother’s clutches. As I shove my phone back into my pocket, I know that any chance of peace between me and Cathal is now shattered. The time for reconciliation has passed, and now all that’s left is the stark reality of our rivalry.
And I’ll be damned if I let him take away the one person who means more to me than anything in this twisted world we live in.
The weight of my rage bears down on me like a heavy cloak. My mind races with thoughts of what Cathal might do to Summer, and I know there’s not a second to waste. Striding over to the wall safe hidden behind a painting in my office, I punch in the code. The door swings open, revealing an arsenal of weapons.
“Fuck,” I mutter, my hands shaking slightly as I reach for my twin Glock 19s. Shoving both of the illegally obtained weapons in the back of my pants, the familiar weight provides a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos. The last time I had to use them – it wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done.
“What do you want me to do?” Mark asks quietly, knowing not to assume anything when it comes to Thal. The entire underworld knows what a cruel fucker he is, which makes it even scarier that he has Summer in his clutches. I should’ve been more careful. The only way he could’ve known about her is if he followedme. And my head has been swimming in booze, self-pity and obsession that I didn’t even notice.
“Fuck!” Slamming my fist into the wall, I shove the safe door shut and turn to him.
“Get me two men,” I snap, my voice cold and hard as steel. “We’re going after Thal, and he doesn’t fucking come out alive.”
“Understood,” he replies without hesitation.
My preparations continue as I load up a duffel bag with extra ammunition, a couple of knives shoved into the tops of my boots, and a pair of brass knuckles that I’m itching to use on his fucking face, ensuring he never looks like me again. These aren’t just tools; they’re extensions of my wrath, ready to be unleashed upon the man who dared to touch what’s mine.
“Boss, we’re ready to roll out,” Mark informs me, appearing in the doorway several minutes later. I can see the determination in his eyes, mirrored by the two guys waiting behind him, ready to follow me into the jaws of hell if need be. I don’t fully trust them, but they’re here, they have my back, and until I see a reason otherwise, they’re my guys.
“Good. Let’s move.” Hoisting the duffel bag over my shoulder, we march out of the building. Thinking of Summer’s terrified voice, it fans the flames of my fury, and I swear that Thal will pay for this. He may be my brother, but no one – not even blood – comes between me and the only thing I care about.
With every step I take, I know there’s no turning back. This ends tonight, one way or another.
24
SUMMER
My heart pounds in my chest as I try to make sense of what’s happening. The cold floor beneath me offers no comfort, and the darkness around me only amplifies my fear. I’m barefoot and dressed in leggings and an oversized t-shirt that is clinging to me from nervous sweat, reminding me of how vulnerable I am right now. I don’t know where I am, but being forced to speak to Ciarán moments ago has given me hope that he will find me and rescue me.
I just hope he’s sober enough to do it.
“Move it, Tinks,” Thal barks, his voice low and menacing.
His tall frame silhouettes against the dim light filtering through the warehouse windows. His blue eyes are fixed on me with an intensity that sends shudders down my spine. The tattoos on his arms seem to come alive in the dim light, the spider on his neck appearing even more sinister than before.
“What do you want with him?” I stammer, trying to sound braver than I feel.
“Shut up and move,” he snarls, shoving me forward but gentler than his tone suggests. My legs tremble beneath me, but I manage to stay upright. He grabs my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh, and starts leading me through the dark warehouse.
The place is filled with shadows and echoes of long-forgotten machinery. As we pass rows of rusted equipment and stacks of decaying wooden crates, I wonder if this is where I’ll meet my end. Each step feels like an eternity, and my mind races with thoughts of what Thal might have in store for me.
“Please, let me go,” I beg, my voice barely above a whisper. “Ciarán is already on his way.”
“Nice try.” Tightening his grip on my arm, the pain brings tears to my eyes, but I refuse to cry in front of him. It’s not that it hurts that much, but being dragged here against my will for a man I barely know is not how I’d hoped my day would go.
As we continue through the warehouse, I realize that escape is impossible. Thal’s iron grip on my arm and his unwavering determination leaves me with no choice but to follow him deeper into this hellish place. All I can do is hope that, somehow, Ciarán will find me soon and get me out of this nightmare.
