Page 27 of Redemption

Jay glances at me, and we hold eye contact in silent communication. Whether this fuckup was Evander’s fault or not, it happened. He’s not running the show solo.

“You’re not doing this rescue without us.” Jay slides his phone into his pocket.

“This isn’t a mission for amateurs. The PLA isn’t an organization you want to fool around with.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I steel myself. “We’re coming.”

“I’ll be making decisions quickly and decisively. If you’re tagging along, you’re not to interfere, you’re to observe.” Evander pins us both with his gaze. “I’m the leader. There isn’t room for more than one.”

“Fine,” I grit out. His attitude is nothing new, though I’m not sure Finn will be so keen on obeying anyone once we get him.

“Make your arrangements. I’ll text you as soon as I’ve got a definite lock on his location.”

“Okay.” I follow him to the door, my mind churning with everything I’ll need to arrange. Lucas can’t come because the situation is too dangerous and unpredictable.

Once Evander is gone, Jay says, “You think Lorcan and Kim are undercover?”

“That’s my first thought.” I grab my laptop off the side table and open it.

In the search engine, I type Lorcan Donaghey and then navigate to images. Surely there must be a photo of Lorcan somewhere. As I click through page after page, I have to admit the government did a good job of covering his identity, at least superficially. Did they manage to scrub his image from everything? Otherwise, having him undercover would be a liability. When I examined my pictures from various events after Kim’s betrayal, her absence from photos was obvious. She had a sixth sense where cameras were concerned, and while she climbed the ranks of my business, she was never keen for accolades that might lead to public praise.

“What are you looking for?” Jay peers over my shoulder.

“Lorcan. But other than his name, his image isn’t anywhere. As far as the world is concerned, he is dead.”

“At least if he’s part of this…”

“Yeah, I agree. He and Finn have their problems, but they’re still brothers.” I snap the laptop closed. “I hope, whatever is going on, we aren’t walking into a trap.”

Chapter Thirteen

Finn

Whenweland,Noelis the first one out the door. The sun is peeking out of the horizon, creating a glow across the sky. We’ve landed somewhere resembling a field rather than an airstrip—the advantage of a helicopter.

“Where the hell are we?” I grumble, even though this must be Ireland. Northern Ireland, I’d wager.

“The home country.” Noel smirks.

When Kim and Lorcan climb out of the helicopter, I get a better look at them in the half-light. Other than Lorcan’s hair color being darker and his lack of a goatee, he’s the same. Kim hasn’t changed a thing. Long black hair, eyes like coal, and tall—a smidge taller than me even. Her appearance might not have changed, but she’s a chameleon, able to alter her personality to lure in whomever she needs. Lorcan was always like that too—his accent shifting on a dime from Bostonian to Irish. Eager to please, to fit in, and to do the right thing. He was born into the wrong family. He physically resembles our father, but I’m our father’s son, as much as that realization might sting. The old man was a first-class bastard. I have no regrets over the part I played in his death.

“Can you two handle him? I need a nap and then I’ve got shit to do for PJ,” Noel says.

“Aye.” One of Lorcan’s eyebrows lift. “’Tis nothin’.”

“He needs to be at headquarters by eight tonight. Feed him, or whatever, but keep him holed up in your apartment.”

“Sounds grand.” Kim’s accent takes me by surprise. It shouldn’t. She’d want to blend, but it’s flawless, as though she was raised here.

Noel gets into a waiting car, and the driver zooms off. Lorcan and I face each other. “He’s in charge of things? He sounds American.”

“Aye, he is. He’s a useless scut if ever I seen one. Means to an end.” He gestures to the small compact in the parking lot. “This is the closest we’ve gotten to breakin’ into the inner circle. The PLA attracts all sorts.”

“Why do you need me?” I hitch up my government-issued track pants, and my mind drifts to Carys in Cape Verde, realizing her hard work was for naught. There’s no doubt she’ll come for me, and then I’ll tell her everything.

“How about we grab breakfast,” Kim suggests.

Lorcan runs a hand along her back as though she needs reassurance. Is she still not over me shooting her? I thought we cleared that up in Cape Verde before they helped me make my deal.

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