Panic explodes in my chest. I rush to him, dropping to my knees. "Please," I beg, looking up at Blaise. "Please don't tell him. I'll do anything—anything you want. Just don't tell Phoenixabout Brigit. She's innocent in all this. She doesn't deserve to be caught in the middle of our families' war."
I look at Jenna’s round belly then to him again. "You're going to be a father. What would you do to protect your child?"
My entire body trembles with fear. “Please.”
Blaise squats down in front of me. “My brother is not a monster, Keira.” He rises, looking at Jenna. “We’re expected downstairs.”
They head down the hall. Jenna looks over her shoulder back at me. Her face is filled with sympathy and sadness, but that won’t save me and Brigit.
For a moment, I wonder if by sheer will I could get Brigit and escape through one of the many hidden passageways. But as my guard repositions himself outside my door, I know that’s impossible.
I have to accept that all is lost.
24
PHOENIX
Iwatch as Keira is escorted from the room with Brigit crying for her. They disappear, and I turn to see everyone's eyes on me, waiting to see what I'll do next.
My chest tightens with an unfamiliar panic. What the hell just happened? Why was Keira trying to smuggle the girl out? The questions swirl in my mind, but I can't afford to show weakness. Not now.
I turn back to the remaining man kneeling before me. As he realizes my attention has turned to him, he knows what's coming.
"This is what happens to traitors," I announce, my voice cold and steady. Without hesitation, I pull the trigger. The gunshot reverberates through the room, and the man who tried to kill me this week crumples to the floor. The message is clear to everyone watching. This is the price of betrayal.
I scan the room, meeting the eyes of each family representative. "Let there be no confusion about who runs Boston now. The Ifrinns have returned and reclaimed what's ours."
Hampton shifts on his knees, opening his mouth to speak. I swing my gun toward him, and he freezes.
"One more word," I warn, "and I'll forget the promise I made to your daughter."
Lana's face contorts with rage. "You can't?—"
I press the barrel of my gun against Hampton’s forehead, cutting her off mid-sentence. "I can do whatever I want. You and Hampton played with fire when you came after my family."
I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper meant only for them. "The only reason you're still breathing is because of Keira. Remember that before you test my patience again."
I holster my gun and turn to address the assembled families. The room reeks of blood and fear, exactly as I intended. This display wasn't just for the men who betrayed us. It was for everyone who might consider crossing the Ifrinns in the future.
"Now that we've dealt with those unfortunate matters, let's proceed with the loyalty pledge."
My men remove the two dead bodies and tarp, and then one by one, the heads of Boston's most powerful families approach. They kneel before me, swearing their allegiance to the Ifrinn name. Each oath feels like another brick in the foundation I'm rebuilding. My father's legacy, restored through fear, retribution, and blood.
I catch Flint's eye across the room. His face is tight with concern, and when I glance at Ash, I see the same expression. They're worried about how I handled the situation with Keira and the girl. Or more likely, how I will handle the situation. To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ll confront Keira for sure. It’s clear, though, that any sort of amicable or tolerable marriage we could have had is impossible. She betrayed me. Again.
Despite the successful proceedings, unease crawls under my skin. The image of Keira's face as she knelt beside those men, offering herself in exchange for the nanny and the girl, won'tleave my mind. There was something in her eyes, a desperate protectiveness I've never seen before. Except maybe with my brothers. In my brothers toward their wives.
I shake the thought away. I need to focus. Every family that pledges allegiance strengthens our position. Every man who kneels before me cements our control over Boston. This is what matters now, securing our birthright, protecting my brothers, honoring our parents' memory.
The ceremony finishes, which is the cue to start the wedding. But I need a drink. And I have to decide whether I should talk to Keira beforehand or drag her down and marry her before confronting her.
I nod to my men and tell them to take the Keans back to the basement. “We'll bring them up again when the wedding starts.” Then I turn to my guests. “Please enjoy refreshments while we prepare for the wedding."
My servants arrive with drinks, and one mans a bar in the corner. There is some unease in the room.
I hold my hands out in a friendly gesture. "Drink. Celebrate. The Ifrinn family has reclaimed what was stolen from us," I continue, forcing a confident smile. "Today marks not just my wedding, but the start of more peace and prosperity for all of us."
That seems to do it. That and booze. My guests drink and chat.
