Page 38 of House of Soot

“I think Lucy’s story hit them harder than the attack. They’re scrambling to save face with this party."

"More than scrambling." Flint's lips curl into a satisfied smirk. "Some partners are getting nervous, including O’Donnell, especially after Lucy’s story. Phoenix is making contact with him.”

“Really?” I arch a brow. “As an Ifrinn?”

“Not yet, but soon.” Phoenix glances at me and then Ash. “We’ll need to offer something to build a partnership with him.”

“Like what?” I don’t like how he’s looking at me. Ash is making a face.

“Let’s focus on the Keans and this party.”

I pull the guard rotation schedules and guest list, setting them on the table by the blueprints. "They're inviting every influential family in Boston. Hampton needs to prove he's still in control. But they're paranoid. Double the normal security detail. We'll need perfect coordination to pull this off."

Ash crosses his arms. "What about the girl? Is she going to be a problem?"

I tense. "Jenna's not a threat. She'll be working the party.”

"That's not what I meant." Ash's eyes narrow. "Your little side quest to make her pay. Is that going to be a problem?”

“Why would it be?” I snarl, annoyed. I’m hoping he thinks I’m irritated that he’s questioning my ability and not see that it is difficult. Some way, somehow, Jenna has gotten under my skin.

"Just remember why we're here," Phoenix cuts in. "We can't afford any complications."

I nod, pushing away memories of Jenna's smile, her gentle touch. "Trust me. When this is over, she'll know exactly who I am. They all will." I focus on her betrayal. She gave away our home’s vulnerability. She fucking stole my mother’s lasagna recipe. She worships the Keans, for fuck’s sake.

"Speaking of Jenna…" Flint's tone carries an edge I don't like. "You sure you’re not getting too close?"

"Please." I force a laugh, keeping my voice steady. "She's desperate for attention, starved for affection. The kind of girl who'd do anything for someone who shows her a scrap of kindness." And she did, for Ronan.

“You’re sure she’s not remembering you? Or her mom?” Ash asks.

I shake my head. “She was thirteen when it happened. She says the Ifrinns have been all but forgotten." My fingers curl into fists. "She worships the Keans. Thinks they're some kind of saviors who nobly took over after our parents' 'tragic accident'."

Ash and Phoenix nod, seemingly accepting my response.

Flint, on the other hand, isn’t sold. "That doesn't answer the question.”

"Neither of them recognizes me. There’s no way she’d be able to hide if she did. She’s one of those people who wears their emotions on their sleeve. I've got her wrapped around my finger. She won't know what hit her when she realizes who I really am and I make her pay."

"She's not our priority," Phoenix says.

"She's the key that let Ronan in," Flint says.

"But like you said, Blaise, she was thirteen with a schoolgirl crush. I'm not saying we don't use any information we get from her. I'm just saying she isn't our priority. Ronan set that fire. Hampton is the one who wanted us all dead."

“So who is on our list? They wanted to kill us all, but Phoenix, you’ve been adamant about no women and kids. What about Mrs. Kean? Ronan’s sister, Keira? They’ve got some godchild living there too.” Keira and the child, Brigit, are rarely seen publicly or even in the house. It’s almost like they live separate lives in a different wing of the house. The few times I’ve seen Keira, I think she likes to stay out of her parents' way as much as possible.

Phoenix’s jaw tightens when I mention Ronan’s sister. It makes me wonder if he ever got over that little fling he had with her during better times.

“What, now they’re taking in orphans?” Flint says.

“I don’t know. To be honest, the only person who shows an interest in the kid is Keira. And Keira… there’s something going on there. She might beat us to the punch and kill her parents in their sleep. She keeps to herself, but you can see there’s no love lost there,” I report.

“Our targets are Ronan and Hampton.” Phoenix’s response is firm, decisive. Almost like he doesn’t want to discuss the others, or perhaps Keira.

“And Jenna,” Flint adds. “Woman or not, she was instrumental in the Keans’ carrying out our family’s destruction.”

I should be glad that he sees her as complicit and needing to pay, but hearing it from him doesn’t sit right. It’s proof that I’m fucked up inside.

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