Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
I run my hands through my hair. “How the fuck do I tell him this? How do I walk up those stairs and tell him his father had his mom killed and likely tried to do the same with him?” And how many other bodies has Governor Abbott left behind?
I feel all their eyes on me, but none as intensely as Cillian’s.
He walks over, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You tell him the truth…that his father is a piece of shit who doesn’t deserve him. That you love him, and that you’re going to avenge him…and that the people who love you, the ones you love, will be right there with you, making him pay for hurting someone in our family.”
Our family. Cillian is calling Abbott our family, because I love him, and there is nothing in the world like that feeling.
“I hope to one day be as good a man as you,” I tell him. I wish I could take more credit for the man he is, but I can’t. He did that all on his own.
“You are,” Cillian says. “You already are.”
It’s not true, but I thank him all the same before pulling him into a hug. When I catch Ollie’s eye over him, he’s wiping tears away.
Cillian pulls away and joins his boyfriend, Ollie taking his hand, and I hope that Moira is looking down on this and that I’ve finally made her proud.
I clear my throat. “Thank all of you for coming here…and Dean for figuring all of this out for me. Your father would have been proud.”
The room goes silent, Dean’s eyes wide, but it’s Tiernan who says, “Rian…” But I hold up a hand to stop him.
“I’ve known who Dean is since not long after Sloan’s death.” His father was a member of our family. He wanted out to protect his wife and son, and my brother killed him for it. I don’t know why he came and found Tiernan, what the history is there, but I know he loves my nephew and my nephew loves him. That’s all that matters to me.
I know that Sloan found out though, and he planned to kill Dean, but Fia killed him, and then Conan helped them conduct a plan to hide it from me.
They didn’t know if they could trust me.
“How?” Tiernan asks.
“You’re not the only one who can find things out. I understand why you kept it from me.” By our rules, Liam betrayed us, but the thing is, I would have let Cillian out if he wanted. I still will. How can I blame Liam for doing what was best for his family? He had the balls to do it when I didn’t. I give my attention to Dean. “I loved Liam…and I loved you too, kid. Even at four years old, you were enamored with Tiernan. But I promise you, I didn’t know, and if I had, I would have stepped in to help.”
Dean nods…then unexpectedly asks, “He would have been proud? Even though I’m exactly where he didn’t want me to be?”
“Things are different now, and Liam was just like you—a bit of a hothead.” I smile. “Liked to fight…but loved fiercely and did everything with honor.”
Dean nods and looks away as though he’s trying to compose himself, but when I make eye contact with Tiernan, I see the appreciation in how he’s looking at me.
Thank you.
“It would be great if you guys all stayed here tonight. I’m going to go upstairs and talk to Abbott. I don’t know if he’ll be ready to come down tonight, but we’ll need to make a plan—the rest of us. This won’t go unpunished.”
“Fuck no, it won’t,” Rory says.
“We’re here for whatever you need, Rian,” Conan says.
“I know, brother.” Without another word, I go upstairs. The second I open the door to our room, I know something is off…that something isn’t right. I can feel how empty it is, feel that Abbott isn’t here.
Still, I call out, “Abbott,” with my heart in my throat.
He doesn’t reply, and when I walk over, I see a note on the made bed.
Rian,
My father needs to talk to me. Nothing will happen to me there. I’ll be safe.
Love you and see you soon.
Abbott
PS…Don’t be mad at Conan. I left while he was busy with work.
I crumple the note against my chest, seeing nothing but red.
Abbott is with the man who had his mother killed, who tried to have him killed too.
I can’t fucking lose him. I won’t survive losing someone I love again.
I won’t allow it. It’s not even a fucking option. I don’t care what I have to do.
I pat myself down, looking for my phone, but it’s not on me, so I rush downstairs. I’d felt guilty about having the tracking device put into the watch before I gave it to Abbott. It was a breach of trust, something I know he wouldn’t have been happy about, but all I can do is thank God I did it.