Page 55 of Redemption

“You murdered her boyfriend about… What’d it be now? Almost twenty years ago?”

I narrow my eyes. He has to be talking about when Carys was stabbed. When I tracked down each of the men from the bar brawl, a few of them claimed Paddy’s girlfriend had been with him at the pub. I found him last. He begged me for his life on his knees in his apartment. After I shot him, there was no trace of a woman. Hunting her hadn’t been worth my time when Carys was in the hospital. Looks like mercy might bite me in the ass.Again.

“Paddy?”

“Aye. She came wailing to me about wantin’ retribution for Paddy’s death. We put a bounty on yer head. But you were gone by then. Back to America. Daddy swept in.” His tone is mocking. Admirable, given that I’m about to shoot him between the eyes and cut off his head. I’m quite fond of men who don’t know when to show their belly.

“You’re lucky he did. You would’ve lost a whole lot more men trying to take me down.” I wave my gun. “Why would this takeover have anything to do with her?”

“She reckoned I didn’t do enough to avenge his death. Said one day she’d have more power than me. This is her flex, ain’t it?”

If her pursuit of the McCaffreys is for revenge, why is she havingmedeliver it? There’s a knock on the door, and Francois calls, “Have you lopped off his head yet?”

Donal pales. “My head?”

“In a box. Suppose it’s a lover’s gift from Pierre-Jacques to his sex toy. I don’t find it sexy, but she must. Fetishes. No accounting for them.” I raise my gun. “Don’t worry, I’m going to kill you first.”

“Wait, wait,” he cries. “Can’t—”

I fire my weapon, and Donal’s chin slumps to his chest, blood trickling out of the bullet wound in his forehead, spatter on the barn wall behind him. My mind drums with this new information. Is Jade after me? She could have tried to kill me a number of times already. They could have executed me on the roof of the prison.

What’s her game?

Is she really the person in charge of the PLA?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Carys

JadeandIareriffling through my closet talking about fashion. Kim is sprawled across my bed, staring at the ceiling. She probably wishes she was dead right about now. Partly, I’m keeping the discussion with Jade so centered on clothing to irritate Kim. Topics she finds amusing do not include makeup, skin care, or fashion. I’ve been spinning the chatter in those directions for the last hour. This is the second day in a row.

Jade sighs as her fingers trail along a gown the PLA bought me.

“You like that?” I drag my attention from Kim’s disinterested position on the bed to Jade’s wistful smile.

“I have it in green.” She flicks to another gown. “Pierre likes me in green.”

“Doyoulike green?” I keep my voice gentle. She’s been funny and sweet the last few days since Finn has been gone. The niggling sensation that I know her has only gotten stronger, but I can’t pinpoint where or how.

“Well enough.” She steps back from the closet. “Shall we go for a walk? It’s a lovely day.”

“Oh, thank God,” Kim breathes from the bed.

“Oh, um, actually. I was asking Carys. Our conversations seem to bore you so much, I didn’t figure you’d want to come along.”

“I’d love a walk. See more of the property.” Kim sits up. Her midnight hair is free from her ponytail today and cascades in a shiny curtain around her shoulders.

“The two of you and Jay walk the fields a lot. I can’t imagine there’s much more to explore.” Jade gives her a sweet smile.

“Exercise, then. I like exercise.” Kim hops off the bed and leads the way to the door. “Shall we?” She raises her eyebrows, and I stifle a laugh. Unless she’s is prepared to give a direct order as her boss, Kim won’t budge. Despite our mundane babble the last few hangouts, she doesn’t trust our host.

“Great.” Jade’s smile is strained.

We head to the back stairs, and Jay appears out of nowhere, offering to join us. Finn has put the fear of God in him about leaving me unattended outside. In the house, Kim is fine as a companion, but outside, Finn expects someone he can trust when Jade or other members of the PLA are involved. Jay guides us, and Kim trails a few steps behind, not even pretending to be interested in our conversation.

“He must worry about you a lot,” Jade says once we’re in the fields.

“Who?”

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