Page 3 of The Chief
My stomach soured further as bile bubbled up. On his phone screen was a picture of my sister. I hadn’t seen her in years, but there was no doubting it was Orla. The photo had been takenfrom behind as she walked to school. If there was any doubt in my mind about whether it was really her, the patch sewed onto her rucksack eliminated it.
My whole body shook.
“You see, Molly, I think you should reconsider your answer. I know everything there is to know about you, including the location of your sister and mother in Dublin. You were your mother’s only support and with you gone, she fell back to her old tricks.”
I shook my head; I couldn’t believe that. I’d cut all ties to my family after I killed Brian, and my mam didn’t know where I was or what I was doing. All she knew was money was sent in the mail, meant for Orla.
“She wouldn’t.”
Grady shrugged. “Mamma’s got to pay the bills somehow, I guess.” He turned his attention back to his phone, sliding his finger across the screen a few more times before turning it back for me to see.
This time, an audible gasp left me. It was a photo of my mother, standing on a street corner, soliciting for sex. She looked thinner, more worn out. Her skirt was short and torn a little at the back. Her top was skimpy, showing off the bones of her ribs as she stuck out her chest and worked for a euro.
He held my gaze. “It’s a pity the money isn’t getting to her.”
“You’re—you’re—” I couldn’t finish my thought as anger burned through me. “You’re stealing the money I’ve been sending them?”
He had the audacity to shrug, his eyes growing colder. “Life’s tough sometimes, babe.”
“You’re an arsehole,” I hissed. “That money was for my sister. What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“Making sure you cooperate,” he replied. “So before you tell me to go fuck myself again, you should know I have men alwaysfollowing them both. They’re watching your sister brush her hair in the morning. As she picks out her clothes.Andas she sleeps peacefully in her bed.”
My blood turned molten. “If you so much as touch a hair on her head,” I growled in warning. “What I did to Brian will look like a fucking picnic.”
A satisfied smirk graced his lips. “There’s my killer,” he cooed. “I’m glad to see you’re taking me seriously now. You want me to call them off? All you have to do is what I’ve asked.”
I weighed up my options, but the truth of the matter was I didn’t have any. I was stuck between helping Grady or being exposed for my crimes and jeopardizing the safety of my sister and mother.
“If I agree, the surveillance stops?”
“You have my word.”
“No offense, Grady, but your word doesn’t mean shit.”
He laughed in dark mockery. “Oh, I know, Molly. And before you think you can simply tell them about their shadows, think again. If I so much as get a hint that they’re aware of their new friends, I’ll give the kill order.”
I wasn’t willing to risk it. They were the only family I had left. As much as I hated it, I was stuck. “If I do this, do you promise to remove the men and leave them and me alone?”
“Of course.”
I knew when there was no choice—no other option. With a resigned sigh, I asked, “What do I have to do?”
He smiled, smug at knowing he had me where he wanted. Reaching into his pocket, he dug out something small, then handed it to me.
Uncurling my fingers, I saw it was a bullet with a name etched in the side. Holy shit, I couldn’t get tangled up in this.
I knew exactly what it meant. What it implied. Worse, I knew what would happen to me if I was caught. Twisting the metal cylinder in my fingers, I read the name.
“I want you to deliver it.”
“To Finnan?”
Grady nodded. “Finnan Quinn.”
My eyes darted to his face. “The boss of the Mac Tíre Clan? Why?”
“We have our reasons.”
