Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
It’s genuinely nice.
I’m not used to this sort of bond, especially not in a crime family.
Usually, everyone’s trying to kill everyone else.
Not struggling to be the first person to open a new bottle of wine.
I try to enjoy it while I can. Even Seamus seems to lighten up and revert back to the wisecracking joker he was when we first got together. But I knew it couldn’t last, and Siobhan’s the one who finally broaches the subject.
“You said over the phone you have to talk to everyone about something,” she prompts Seamus once there’s a brief lull in the conversation. I feel the attention at the table shift to my husband. “I hope you’re not about to break the most important rule of family dinner.”
“No business at the table,” Declan murmurs, shaking his head. “Which is also the one rule we never actually follow.”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but this is too important.” Seamus’s face darkens. He takes a long drink before looking to his father. “I haven’t been completely honest with you all. I need to talk to you about Molchanie.”
His father stares back grimly. “Go on and say it then.”
Seamus talks about his meeting with her, but this time, he gives them the crucial bit of information he’s been holding back. “And if I don’t leave Alina, she’s going to kill someone I care about.” He pauses, letting it sink in. “Someone most likely at this table.”
“Or missing from it,” Finn murmurs, clearly thinking about Cormac and his wife.
Everyone’s silent. The mood sours considerably. Padraig leans forward on his elbows, glaring at his son. “And why didn’t you tell us this sooner?”
“Because I wanted to fix the problem myself first.”
“How did that go?”
“Clearly not well.”
Declan breaks in. “You should’ve spoken up sooner, Seamus. Now we’ve got less time to figure this out.”
“What’s there to figure out?” Padraig bangs a fist on the table. “We should’ve had the whole family’s strength out on the streets hunting down this assassin bitch from the start.”
“Paddy, watch your language,” Siobhan says gently, not looking happy either. “But I agree with his sentiment.”
Padraig pats his wife’s hand. “Sorry, darling. I meant to say she’s a cunt assassin.”
Siobhan sighs. “What are we supposed to do with this now, Seamus? You gave us three days.”
“Two, really,” he corrects and shrugs. “Today’s nearly over.”
“Even fucking better,” Padraig snarls, gripping his wine glass. “I’ve a mind to throw a fucking knife in your eye.”
“Let’s not start blinding our own children, dear.”
“The solution is obvious. You leave the girl.” Padraig waves a hand at me. “No offense to you, Alina. You seem nice enough. But you aren’t worth getting us killed for.”
“Absolutely not,” Seamus says flatly, meeting his father’s gaze. He grabs my hand roughly, gripping it hard. “She’s my wife. And she’ll stay my wife.”
Padraig explodes. He calls Seamus an ungrateful and selfish prick. Seamus calls his father a hot-headed douchebag. Siobhan has to finally cut in to calm them both down.
“As much as I hate to admit it, Seamus has a point. Not about you being a douche, darling, but about Alina.” Her eyes meet mine for the briefest moment. There’s no kindness in her gaze. All the motherly gentleness is totally gone. Instead, she’s a predator.
“Explain.” Padraig’s still seething, but at least he’s not flinging insults.
“If we’re seen giving in to Molchanie’s demands, it’ll reflect poorly on the clan as a whole.”
“That’s exactly what I thought,” Seamus adds.
“Enough from you, stupid boy.” Padraig brandishes a dinner fork. “Or I swear—”
“You’ll do what? Stab me with the silverware? I beg you to try it, old man.”
“Old man?! I can still fucking wrestle you to the ground—”
“Enough,” Siobhan snaps, speaking sharply and loudly. “We’re a family, not a bunch of squabbling idiots. Cut it out, both of you.”
Declan leans in, taking that moment to speak up. “I agree with Mother. We can’t look weak, not right now. I have no interest in dying for my brother’s wife, but I would rather take that risk than seem like anyone can threaten us and push us around.”
“What about you, Finn? Are you as dumb as them too?” Padraig rounds on his youngest son.
Finn holds out his palms. “Appearances are everything, right?”
That starts off another round of bickering. Padraig’s word holds more weight than the three boys, but he’s backed into a corner and outnumbered. As they argue, Siobhan gently pulls me away from the table and takes me into the kitchen. We can still hear them, but we’re far enough away that we’re not part of the conversation anymore.
“I suppose this wasn’t your idea.” Siobhan busies herself opening more wine and refilling glasses. I do my best to help.
“None of this was. I didn’t even really know until recently.”
“Typical Seamus. Keeping everything to himself. I swear, that boy. I’ve always complained that he’s too flighty and bends too easily, but this is almost worse.” She gives me an appraising look. “This stubbornness over you.”