Page 21 of Dublin Beast
I adjust the fit of my gloves, the leather stretching across my scabbed knuckles, then nod toward the fence. “I’m going over.”
Kieran huffs. “Might as well. The sooner we strike out, the sooner we get to eat and call it a night.”
The resignation in his voice grates on my already frayed nerves, but I push past it. If there’s a chance she could be here, I’ll check it out. No stone left unturned.
Planting a hand on the metal rail, I haul myself up and over. The chain-link rattles, protesting under my weight, but I make it over without much fuss. I land in a crouch on the other side.
The house is dark except for a faint glow coming from a back window. I move low, my gun drawn, my boots silent against the frost-covered grass as I cross the yard. My pulse kicks up as I approach the window, keeping my movements tight, controlled.
I reach the frame and glance inside.
The room is empty.
It’s a small kitchen with a cheap wooden table and a few mugs left haphazardly by the sink. No sign of guards, no sign of Siobhan, no sign ofanythinguseful.
I continue along the house, peering in the bathroom, the den, and then the front windows. It’s all the same, empty and abandoned house.
My hands clench into fists as I fight to keep my beastly side from breaking free.
Another dead end.
I push away from the front window, jaw tight as I scan the yard one more time before making my way back to the fence. I vault over it just as smoothly as I came in, landing beside Kieran, who gives me a look.
I shake my head.
Nothing.
Logan’s leaning against the SUV, his arms crossed. He raises a brow as we approach. “So? Will I be blessed with your triumphant exit anytime soon?”
The sarcasm in his tone makes me bristle with an overwhelming urge to punch something—or someone. I shove past him, yanking open the passenger door. “Drive.”
Kieran gets in the back while Logan slides into the driver’s seat with a sigh, turning the key in the ignition. The engine hums to life, and the glow from the streetlights flickers across the windshield as we pull away.
I scrub a hand over my face, the scratch of stubble rough against my palm. Then, I take a steadying breath and pull out my phone.
Time to admit things aren’t going to plan.
Tag picks up on the third ring. “Tell me. Have you made the world a better place?”
I exhale through my nose. “Not yet.”
“Well, it’s only been two days. You’ll get the job done. I have all the faith in you, brother.”
I wish I did.“Can you talk to Drake? Maybe he has an idea about who we can talk to or where we should look.”
“That badis it?”
“Aye, we’ve been chasing shadows for two days. We’re late to the game here, T. That’s why I thought maybe Drake might point us toward some of his old buddies in the local organizations.”
I stare out at the passing streets, fighting the urge to slam my fist into the dashboard. Why should the SUV suffer for our shitty day?
Tag exhales, and I hear movement on the other end. “I’ll ask him first chance I get. Now, what’s this I hear about you throwing elbows with Eddie Mason?”
I drag a hand through my hair, glancing out the window as the city blurs past. “My bad. He and one of his lackeys were scooping a woman off the street in broad daylight. Knowing how he runs his business…well, I couldn’t stomach watching it happen without stepping up. I kept thinking about Nora and her friend in that cage. About how close Brenny came to losing her to assholes like that.”
I know the pain of losing the woman you love. The agony. The emptiness. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. There’s no way I could sit there and watch it happen.
“Aye, I understand the impulse. Bad blood fucks us over pretty bad, but I get it. Stay out of their way from now on though, yeah?”
