Jonas smiled wide. “Ah, that’s the question, isn’t it?” He wagged a finger and leaned in closer to the bars, lowering his voice. “Kendall wasn’t traded off like a dairy cow. My hands were tied with Braughton. Your thick-headed brother took out an unmerited hit. His head’s worth a lot, but it won’t hold a candle to what I’ll be gettin’ outta you, Bridget Byrne.”
“You have no idea what you’re up against. Fucking fool.”
I listened to every word in stunned silence. I’ve grown up very different from other kids, but I can’t imagine, for the life of me, what it must have been like to grow up in murder and mob life. They’re talking to each other like this is some run-of-the-mill conversation over a pint. It’s more unnerving than knowing I’ve been fucking kidnapped and held against my will. And she’s handling it like she’s not the least bit worried about her own head.
Bridget is a fucking badass.
“I’ll admit. For a lass as young as you, you’ve got an impressive track record. I could almost say I’m proud of your body count—even if you never actually got your hands dirty. If you weren’t a half-breed whore, I might have kept you for myself.”
“My hands are just as clean as yours, Jonas. And I might be a whore, I’ll own that. It’s somethin’ I’ll take pride in. At least I would have known good dick before getting stuck withyou.”
Ouch.
Jonas grinned, nodding and stepping back, returning his hands to his pockets. “Well. Makes two of us, sweetness. I wouldn’t have touched you with a yard stick. I was gonna feedyou both, but I think I’ve changed my mind. You can have my wedding gift, instead.”
Dammit, Bridget. God, I’d kill for a Big Mac right now.
“Swell. Can’t wait.” She gave him a petty, sarcastic smile and crossed her arms. There’s the bratty bitch I know and love. A second set of footsteps sounded behind Jonas as he pulled out a key and started unlocking the door…that smile left her face faster than I could blink. “You…traitorous son of a bitch.You’rethe rat?!”
“Did he really think Conor was capable of pullin’ off a feat like that? The poor, entitled bastard. I dunno why you’re surprised, Bridge. We’ve done this dance too long, lassie. Be a good girl and come upstairs. Got a wedding to get to.”
I stepped forward and Jonas cocked a gun, tapping the door open with the barrel and pointing it straight at my face. I choked.
“Ah, ah, ah, little dove. One move, and I’ll happily show you both how dirty I can get. Bridget…go with him, or I’ll blow her fucking head off.” Whoever this guy is, didn’t give her much choice. He grabbed her arm, urging her forward and she shot her face towards me, true terror in her eyes now.
“Don’t fucking touch her!” I screamed. The end of Jonas’s gun pressed into my forehead, but I kept my eyes on her.
“Sev,” she whispered. “It’s alright. I’ve got this.”
“Bridget, don’t!”
“Stop. Just stay with my brother. He’s already lost too fucking much for me. I’m not gonna let him lose you.I’ve got this.”
I’m hyperventilating. My throat burns and I taste vomit. The mystery man led her out the door and she jerked her arm free, sneering at him in disgust while she shoved past him and started down the hall. I couldn’t do anything but watch in horror. Jonas smiled, lowering the gun and slamming the doorclosed. The lock screeched and he tapped the gun against the bars.
“That’s a good lass.”
They left me there…alone. Defeated. Ashamed. I backed myself up until my bare feet touched the mattress Bridget had slept on. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I hit my knees and dry-heaved until whatever I had left in me splattered on the floor. My dinner. My hope. My sanity.
We’re all fucked.
CHAPTER 24
The Executioner
Viper is a busy little bee.
Pardon me for being slightly jealous, and maybe way too excited that I’m about to hang out with all but two of the people she’s cleaned for in the past year. It didn’t take much convincing, especially with her ‘repeat clients’ when they found out that their go-to ass saver and loyal secret-keeper was in a pinch. Took even less convincing when we bonded over bloodshed and one particularly talkative Latino gentleman liked my taste in blades. I’ve been hidden away in the cut now for over an hour, with Declan and two other Byrne comrades, waiting on the entourage to show up to the party. I can see a few of the unfriendlies lurking about the property at Nolan’s compound, armed and looking about as on edge as they should be. I imagine Jonas upped the security. He was always the smartest bloke. Not smart enough, mind you, considering he just stamped“come and get me”on his fucking forehead.
What I haven’t seen…is Pop’s Jag. Or the SUV that shuttles him around when he’s feeling fancy and not driving himself.
“You’re sure they’re here?” I asked, watching Declan check all his gadgets.
“Location still puts ‘em in there, yeah. According to this, boss should be in one part of the house, and Finn on the whole other side. Why are they not together? I wouldn’t trust Nolan with hardcandy, let alone—”
“If you’re worried about his sorry ass life, you can leave. Bridget wouldn’t be in that shithole if not for him selling her like a prize pig.” Declan’s jaw feathered and he nodded his head, lowering it.
“You’re right. Just strange. ‘Lotta shady shit goin’ on, mate. None of it’s addin’ up.”
