Page 56 of Sins of the Father

"She's my blood. My problem." Orla meets my eyes. "And I can handle myself."

True, though I hate admitting it. She moves with her gun like she was born holding one.

"Fine. But I call the shots inside."

"Deal."

We load up with vests and guns. Eamon checks his piece with steady hands.

"Remember," I tell everyone, "we get the girl and get out. No heroes."

As we prepare to move, my phone buzzes with a video message. I play it on speaker.

A young woman sits bound to a metal chair. Auburn hair, green eyes, same stubborn chin as Orla. Blood runs from her nose. Her lip is split.

"Two hours," Donovan's voice says from behind the camera. "Shipping routes for your south harbor facility, or she dies. Slowly."

The video ends.

Orla stares at the phone. "They're hurting her."

"Not for much longer," I promise.

We reach the storm drain entrance. Dark water flows beneath the street, carrying the smell of rust and garbage. The tunnel runs straight toward the warehouse.

"Everyone ready?" I ask.

"Jackson here. Boys are in position."

"We're set," comes another voice.

"Place looks quiet. You're good to move."

I look at Orla and Eamon. Strange partners for this job. A woman hunting justice, a killer wanting forgiveness, and me trying to protect what's mine.

"Let's get her back," I say.

We enter the tunnel, moving toward whatever waits ahead.

Behind us, the city goes about its business, not knowing that Sarah Kelly's life depends on what happens in the next hour—and that saving her might be the first step toward healing seven years of pain.

CHAPTER 23

CILLIAN

The storm drain stinks like hell. Water soaks through my shoes as we wade toward the warehouse. Orla stays close behind me. Eamon follows, gun out.

My phone buzzes. Jackson

Ready when you are.

We reach the grate under the building. I give it a shove. Rusty metal squeaks but opens.

"Two minutes," I tell Jackson. "Then make noise at the front."

Orla grabs my arm, points up. Someone walks around above us. Back and forth, back and forth.

I wait for his footsteps to move away, then climb through.

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