The house is quiet now, but his hatred fills every room, seeping through the walls like poison. Not that the house ever felt warm and loving. That had been the Ifrinn home. Phoenix’sparents were kind and sweet, at least to me. I knew the rumors that Mr. Ifrinn could be lethal if warranted, but whenever I saw him, he had a smile on his face and he loved his family. I thought that’s what I’d have with Phoenix.
But perhaps the warmth and love burned away when Ronan set the house on fire. This house my father built has never been warm, has never had love. And it appears it never will, at least not in my time.
I’m going to continue to live in this loveless home married to a man who hates me. Who’ll probably someday kill me. As soon as my parents and I are of no use to him, we’ll disappear. It’s how this world works.
A floorboard creaks outside my door, and I freeze. Heavy footsteps pass by. Probably one of Phoenix's men making their rounds. My heart pounds as I think of Brigit hidden away with Nanny Fiona in the secret room. God, I hope they’re okay. I pray they haven’t been found.
Brigit is my focus now. I know I’m a dead woman walking, but I can use the time I have to protect her. To figure out how to get her out of here and somewhere safe. Sadness fills me at the idea of sending her away. She’s the only bright spot in my life. But for her safety, I’ll do anything, including risking Phoenix’s wrath.
My stomach churns at the thought of playing nice with the man who's taken over my world. But what choice do I have? Every defiant word from my mouth puts Brigit at greater risk. One wrong move and Phoenix could tear this house apart and find her. But if I play my cards right, I can appease him while I make plans for Brigit’s escape. I'll give Phoenix whatever he demands—my submission, my dignity, even the twisted marriage he's forcing upon me. But Brigit stays safe, hidden, protected. She's all that matters. I'll burn the world down before I let anyone hurt her.
Boots stomp up the main staircase. More of Phoenix's men, their voices carrying through the walls. They're methodically searching every room, every closet, every possible hiding place.
"Check for secret doors," someone calls out. "Rumor is the place is filled with secret passages."
I close my eyes, willing them not to find the secret room in the attic. It’s not on any blueprints. But one wrong move, one loose floorboard, and they'll find it. If Phoenix discovers her, nothing will stop him from using her as the ultimate weapon in his revenge. I can’t have that. I’ll kill him before I’ll let him destroy Brigit.
4
PHOENIX
Istalk the halls of the house built on my family’s ashes. Hampton’s desire to replace my father was so complete that the home is nearly identical to what had been there before. It doesn’t escape my notice that Keira’s room is nearly in the same location as mine had been. Did she choose it on purpose to remember me or to mock me?
I’m also keenly aware of how comfortable she is. Like this is her place. Her space. It feels like a slap to the face. I hold on to that feeling to guard against the sweet memories that want to break through. Memories of secret rendezvous. Of sharing dreams. Of making plans.
"You're everything," she'd whispered once, pressed against me in the shadows. "I'd choose you over anyone."
How many of our moments were orchestrated? How many times did she run straight from my arms to report back to her father? I imagine her laughing about it later, the foolish Ifrinn heir, so besotted, he never saw the blade coming.
The worst part? I believed her. Every soft touch, every tender look. I drank it all in like a man dying of thirst. She played me until I was completely under her spell.
I'd given her everything. My trust, my love, my future. And she'd handed it all to her family gift-wrapped with a bow. The perfect inside source, feeding them exactly what they needed to destroy us.
She chose her family's wealth and power over my love. Chose to stay silent while they murdered mine. Chose to inhabit my home, my legacy, as if it were her own.
Our marriage will change that. This place will become her prison. The wedding ring will be the chain that traps her here, like a collar around her neck, marking her as mine in the cruelest way possible.
I give my head a hard shake to rid it of Keira. This isn't about old wounds or broken hearts. It's about justice. About making the Keans pay for what they've done. And Keira is just another weapon in my arsenal to make reclaiming my throne easier. Nothing more.
I search for a room that doesn’t stink of the Keans, which isn’t easy. In fact, my skin crawls at the idea of sleeping under the roof of the man who ruined my life. But I need to stay, need to sleep under this roof that Hampton Kean stole from my dead parents. It's the only way to make the other families see that the Ifrinns have come home to reclaim what's ours. Already, the old guard is falling in line, remembering their allegiances. Power recognizes power, and Boston's underworld has a long memory.
I finally find a guest suite that will do. Inside, I pull out my phone and dial Ash’s number. It’s late… or I guess it’s early, but I don’t imagine he’s sleeping. I know from Flint’s text that Hannah will be fine, but Ash is my second in command. I want him to hear from me how we’ve succeeded. How our parents and Meghan, a woman he once loved, are being vindicated.
“Ash, how is Hannah?” I ask, sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbing the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger.
“She’s going to be fine. She woke up and… we’re all fine.”
All?“Was there a question about that?”
“I’ve been a dick, but she’s forgiven me.”
“Please tell me you finally told her you love her.” I can’t afford to have his attention divided because he and Hannah are at odds.
“I did.” He lets out a breath. “Fuck, Phoenix. I’m going to be a father.”
It takes me a minute to register the words. “She’s pregnant?”
“Yes. That fucker Hampton… the bullet hit her in the side, but she and baby are fine. But I want to kill him. He’s mine. Promise me.”
