Page 186 of Bride By Initiation

My pulse rate increases. I ask, "Are you an O'Malley too?"

Byrne's face falls. "No, lad. I'm an O'Leary."

"An..." The blood drains from my face down to my toes. I jump up and clench my fists at my sides.

He nods. "That's right. My blood comes from your aunt Alaina's clan. I was the O'Leary your father entrusted with his Underworld secrets."

I lean closer, scowling at him. "But you didn't take part in his murder?"

He shakes his head. "No, son. Your dad chose me himself. When Shamus and Niall brought in the others, I warned him, but he wouldn't listen."

I pace the tiny room, absorbing everything Byrne has said, then accuse, "You didn't stop his execution!"

Anger flares in his eyes. He barks, "You think I wouldn't have done everything in my power to stop them from murdering him had I known?"

My insides shake harder. I pace faster, trying to breathe.

"Listen to me, lad," Byrne orders.

I spin to face him and pin him with a leer.

He warns, "You have to be careful if you decide to take a seat. You can't trust all of them."

I meet his eye. "I'll kill Salvatore and all the others."

"You can't kill an Omni. The rest will kill you in return," Byrne warns.

"They need to be weeded out," I insist.

Byrne nods. "Aye. They do. But you can't just go on a killing spree. At least not in plain sight."

"They need to pay for their sins," I seethe.

Byrne nods with defeat in his expression.

"Why didn't you take your seat? If you were chosen by my father to represent the O'Leary's, why didn't you do it?"

His face hardens. He insists, "I can do more out here."

"Then why would I take a seat?"

"You can do more from inside."

"That's weak," I argue.

"No, it's the truth, and you will see it someday."

I try to process everything I've learned.

He adds, "You must be careful when you take your seat. And there will be one more ceremony you must complete to solidify your position."

"Doing what?"

He closes his eyes briefly, then meets my gaze, answering, "Something you and Zara aren't going to want to do. But once you're in front of the Omni, you either go forward with it, or they kill both of you. So if you want the seat, you move forward with no qualms about following through, no matter what it entails."

Silence builds around us as we both stare at each other. Then there's another answer I need. I ask, "What about my mother? Why did she really keep us away from the O'Malleys?"

His expression betrays his sadness and discomfort at having to discuss this topic.

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