Page 140 of Forged in Rain

Jagger nods and glances my way with a glittering stare before he’s through the door, and one less threat is gone. For now.

“Now . . .” McCafferty says.

“Yes?”

“I have a problem.”

Sweat drips down my spine and I shift to ease the pinch in my toes, praying that whatever his problem is, I have the means to solve it.

McCafferty raises his bushy brows and says, “If John is to be believed, it was you, working with him,” he nods at Cyn, “who stole my money.”

My mouth drops open. John? What the fuck?

“Mhm. You see my dilemma?”

Staggering back, I grab my chest, fighting for air. What’s happening? Oh, right. My worst fucking nightmare. All the lies and games are about to end me.

“They’re-they’re lying.”

“Are they? Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”

I sway in my seat and Cyn squeezes my waist—a silent message. I just hope he’s right because I have Joey to consider, who although it stuck in my craw to do this, is back at the compound with Prophet Jim. At least I know he’s safe, and that’s enough for now.

“Callahan,” Paddy says, studying Cyn with a stern frown.

“Yes sir,” Cyn says, his tone solemn.

I tilt my head to stare at his face, surprised at the respectful demeanor. He’s never bothered with anyone else, but I guess if you’re gonna do it, it would be with the head dick.

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I told you what happened,” Cyn says stiffly.

“Perhaps, but there are too many stories and not enough truth,” McCafferty says, leaning against his desk.

Movement catches my eye, and I watch, dumbfounded, as Pam steps into the room. She glances between us, licking her lips, and I look away from her treacherous face.

“Where’s John?” McCafferty barks, and Pam flinches.

“He couldn’t come,” she says quietly.

“Is that right? Well, now I have another problem. I don’t like having problems,” McCafferty rasps.

“Look, um, my niece attacked him. He’s not safe with these two,” she waves between Jig and Cyn, “so he sent me instead.”

Cyn shifts, growling under his breath but remains silent.

“You?” McCafferty says, looking at Pam.

Her sleek black dress hugs her curves, and with her dark hair pulled back and red lipstick, she almost looks the part of a Mafia queen, except the ugly snarl on her lips as she glares at me is more that of a petulant child.

“I brought her into my home, and she set out to ruin us all for her obsession with him,” she says, waving at Cyn.

“Why?” McCafferty asks.

“Why?” she falters, staring at him with wide eyes.

“Yes, why? Why would these young’uns steal from John?” he asks, his gravelly tone snippy with impatience.

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