Page 61 of Brutal Collateral

“Bad company.” Connor rocks on his heels. “The Greek kind.”

“Hey!Avais Greek,” I snap, snagging her hand. “Have some respect.”

I steer her out of the office, my brothers and Rhys on my six, but I halt, seeing Ares Zervas in my foyer.

Ava gives a heavy audible swallow, and I wait for her to break into a run, to jump into his arms the way both my sisters have with us in the past, the way Shea O’Rourke has with her brothers.

Ava. Doesn’t. Move.

Something is wrong.

“Ava,” Ares says with hands in his pockets. “You look like shit.”

Anger bubbles in my throat. “I found her in a fucking cage,” I bark.

Only Ares looks at me like that’s my fault.

“Ares,” Ava says, her back straightening. Shrugging from my hold, she ambles softly to him.

Ares, who stands as tall as me, but looks lean, bends down to kiss his sister on both cheeks. “I’m glad you’re home.”

My hands curl into fists at some misplaced jealousy.

“I’m not home.” She steps back. “I want...”

The room goes silent waiting to hear what she wants. I know I’m on fucking pins and needles.

Damn, Ava, what DO you want, woman?

Except to kill me.

Although, I think she’s already bored with that. Doesn’t mean I won’t be sleeping with one eye open, or her arms tied down.

“Yes, Ava?” Her brother patronizes her. “Whatdoyou want?”

“I thought I’d be going home.” She crosses her arms, one of her toes tapping on the floor impatiently.

“This will be your home when you’re married.” Ares peers at me. “And that will be when, Quinlan?”

Now I’m like Ava, hoping somewhere deep in my brain this wedding won’t happen. That some miracle will rear up and peace will magically happen without taking this drastic step.

In the past few months, the whispered announcement to all the capos on both sides has eased tensions. The ones who still stir up trouble are Keller loyalists. And they will be dealt with. Those who out and out tell me to go fuck my mother, only some Irish brat would say that, will end up dead.

“Depends on how big of a party you want it to be,” I lob that serve to Ares.

“I would suggest the traditional Orthodox—”

“Ugh,” Ava whines. “No.”

“Those churches are booked for months anyway,” Ares finishes with a lazy tolerance for his sister.

Ask for a miracle...

“Aunt Lena will want to plan it,” Ava says, biting non-existent nails.

I hate this version of her because it’s so different from Hadleigh, who I know is in there somewhere. Fuck, that’s who I want. And I know that’s who she is deep inside.

“With Ava home now, Ares, I’d like to do a family meeting with your brothers about what to do with Brandon’s body.”

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