I pivot toward the second traitor. His eyes are wide with terror, pleading silently for mercy I have no intention of showing. The message must be absolute. No one betrays the Ifrinn family and lives.
"For your?—"
The ballroom doors burst open with a crash. Heads turn as three of my men drag in a struggling woman and a small girl. My security detail immediately forms a protective circle around me, weapons drawn.
"Boss!" one of my men calls out. "Found these two trying to slip out the service entrance. Had packed bags, passports, the works."
My blood runs cold as I recognize them. Nanny Fiona and Brigit. The little girl's face is streaked with tears, her small body trembling as she clings to her nanny's skirt. Fiona stands tall despite her obvious fear, chin lifted in defiance.
"Let her go!" Keira's voice cuts through the chaos, raw with panic. She moves toward them, but my men stop her. "She's just a child!"
Keira’s façade shatters. The color has drained from her face. Her eyes are wild with a terror I've never seen before, not even when I threatened her parents' lives. This is different. Primal.
"What is the meaning of this?" I motion to block the dead man’s body so Brigit doesn’t see it and holster my weapon.
One of my men holds up a bag. "Found cash, new identities, travel documents. They were running, Boss."
The crowd murmurs, sensing a new drama unfolding before them. Hampton and Lana Kean exchange a look I can't interpret.
Brigit spots Keira and breaks free from my man's grip, running toward her. "Keira!" She throws herself into Keira's arms.
Keira clutches the child to her chest, her eyes meeting mine over Brigit's head. There's no defiance now, only naked fear and a desperate, silent plea.
I don’t know what the fuck is going here, but Keira, once again, has pulled a stunt that puts my strength as a leader into question, and that just won’t do.
23
KEIRA
Iwas a fool. A complete and utter fool.
How could I think they could sneak out in the confusion of the day? If he had me under guard, he probably had Brigit as well. I underestimated him and now, in one moment of desperate miscalculation, I've put everything at risk. Put Brigit at risk.
“Phoenix, please.” I hold my child to me, guilt rising that she has to experience this horror because of my stupidity.
Phoenix's gaze swings toward me, his expression hardening into something unrecognizable. The man I made love to last night is gone. He’s now the cold-eyed killer I’ve come to fear.
I should have known better than to trust the moments of tenderness between us. Should have been more careful with my plans.
Should have, should have, should have.
My mind races through possibilities, excuses, explanations—anything to save my daughter. But what can I possibly say? That I was sending my "god-sister" away for her own protection? That I didn't trust Phoenix not to use her against me?
Maybe I should reveal the truth. Maybe if he knew Brigit was his daughter, he wouldn't hurt her. But what if that knowledge makes things worse? What if he sees her as another Kean to punish?
He turns his gaze back to the man holding Nanny Fiona. “Bring her here.”
My body moves before my mind can catch up. I push Brigit behind me as I turn to Phoenix. The look in his cold, detached eyes sends ice through my veins.
"Phoenix, please. Nanny Fiona has nothing to do with any of this. She's loyal to me, not to my parents."
Phoenix’s men push Nanny Fiona down until her knees hit the floor. Her face is ashen, but her eyes meet mine with the same steadfast devotion she's shown since coming into my and Brigit’s life.
I push Brigit further behind me, my arm stretched back to hold her in place. My fingers grip her small shoulder, feeling her trembling beneath my touch.
"If you want to punish someone, punish me," I plead. I move to the tarp and drop to my knees. "Fiona was just following my orders. She's innocent in all this."
The room falls silent. My parents remain on their knees, and for once, they stay silent. Perhaps they finally understand the consequences of their actions. Perhaps they finally see what their ambition has cost us all.
