Page 81 of Redemption

Kimlefttomeether handler somewhere secret. She didn’t know when she’d be back. Lorcan and Finn, along with five of Thomas’s men are leaving for Cork in a few minutes.

I pick up a few of the photographs littered around the guest bedroom assigned to us. Idyllic scenes of pastoral life in Ireland. The exact opposite of Thomas’s reality. Almost enough to make me laugh.

“You stay on the Byrne property until I’m back.” Finn shoves guns and ammunition into his pockets and any space to conceal it.

I give him a wry smile. “Where else would I go? Kim is gone. Jay is recovering. All I can do is wait.”

“Yeah, well. Our best guess is an attack on Van de Berg Ammunitions in four days. The grudge she’s got is personal. If we can secure Francois, we might get concrete details. A better way to disrupt her plans.”

I still Finn’s hands, and he meets my gaze. “We’re going to figure it out.”

“You’re calmer than I expected.” He smirks. “You got that much faith in me?”

“Yes.” I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “But if we can’t lock in on their plan, we call in the bomb threats and have the places evacuated.”

“Last resort.” He cups my cheek. “I only get my deal if we disrupt them or prevent their campaigns from succeeding.”

“The people we love are safe, and we have each other to lean on while we put their plan together. We’ll do it. Our team is better.”

He gives me a quick peck and fingers a single bullet left on the dresser. “I don’t worry about shit. No point. But I listen to my gut, and the last couple of days I can’t get that Shakespeare quote out of my head. You know the one I’m talking about?”

“Nothing can be wrong…” The end eludes me, but it’s a favorite from his not-quite English degree.

“If she is well.” He links our fingers together and draws me into his chest. “I’ve been wondering whether I should’ve sent you to Boston too.”

“Finn,” I chastise. “We’ve talked about this.I’msafest with you.”

“Here’s the thing.” He gazes down. “I realize that’s bullshit, but I want it to be true. You’d never send Lucas to Boston if you truly believed having himherewas the best place for him.”

“It’s not the same.” I flounder for a better explanation because Finn isn’t wrong. I wanted every moment I could get with him, especially knowing he’ll be back in jail for another three years after this. Stupid? Maybe. So far, I haven’t regretted my choice.

His lips brush my forehead. “Sure, it’s not.” He chuckles.

There’s a knock on the bedroom door, and Lorcan calls Finn’s name.

After another quick squeeze, he frames my face and kisses me deeply. “I love you.” His voice is gruff, and a thrill dances along my spine at the words. He gives them to me, but not often, and every time I hear them, I marvel that they’re true.

As long as we’ve got each other and Lucas, we can handle anything.

Jay’s sleep is deep and even. He woke up, so I video called Sofia so she could see he is fine-ish with her own two eyes. Tears slid along her cheeks while she talked to him, but there is relief in her voice.

I check the time. They should be nearing Cork. Fingers crossed Francois is there and they can take him without any major problems. Finn said the farm wasn’t well guarded. Hopefully, that hasn’t changed.

My phone buzzes in my hand.Dadis displayed on the caller ID, so I send the call to voicemail. The call has no sooner clicked to voicemail than my phone rings again. I send it to voicemail again. He couldn’t be bothered to take my calls when I needed him.

The third time it rings, I answer with an impatient bark. “What do you want?”

“Carys?” My father’s voice is remote and far away. “I need you. I’m in trouble. I need you.”

“Dad?” Even if he’s been absent and self-absorbed as a father, my spike of panic is real. He’s my dad. When he left us twisting in the wind over a place for Lucas to go, I told Finn I’d never do the same to him. If he’s in trouble, I’ll help him. “Where are you?”

“I’m in Ireland. Kilkenny. I need to see you.”

John and Connor said he’d been in Ireland. He’s still in the country? Why hasn’t he been answering my calls? There’s something weird about his voice too. It’s him—definitely him—but his speech isn’t smooth like normal. “Where are you?”

“The Fox’s Burrow on Thornback Road. Leave now. I’ll be waiting.”

With a click, he’s gone. I drop my phone on the bed and rub my face. Considering everything going on, I believe my father is in trouble. Is he dragging me into more danger with him?

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