Page 24 of False Heir

And the content was…pointless. It just said that he hoped they were okay. And someone named John had signed it.

“This is so fucking pointless,” I said after I read my third letter.

“We should keep working anyway, we don’t know what–”

The ringing of my phone cut her off. I reached into my pocket and saw Kieran’s name flashing on the screen. I pressed it to my ear.

“Kieran, what’s up?”

“Tristan, just got word. Rossi made his move last night, hit one of the outposts. It’s a message.”

“Thought they died,” I said between gritted teeth.

“No, looks like they were just well enough to order another hit. What do you want to do?” Kieran asked.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “Are you okay?”

Kieran took a deep breath. “Yes,” he said. “Shaken, but okay. Orsini left here with Killian and the Rossis and he seemed pretty mad, but he could’ve killed any of us and didn’t.”

“What about Carmen?” I asked him.

Adriana looked at me, her eyes narrowing.

“She was here and then I drove her home,” he said. “She’s not as bad as she seems, you know. Little rough around the edges but…I like a mouthy woman.”

I held back the urge to laugh. Adriana heard him and made a face.

“What about Liam?” I asked.

“He’s fine, he’s with me. I haven’t let him out of my sight since your father-in-law was here.”

I let out a deep breath. “Okay. Keep it that way. I don’t want the kid to get involved in things like this.”

“Think that ship has sailed there, lad,” Kieran said, a little too jovially.

“Yeah, well, nevertheless,” I replied. I had been pacing around the kitchen for too long, and Adriana still watched me, her arms crossed over her chest. “You know what this feels like?”

“What?”

“An old school turf war,” I said. “Which is so stupid, because…”

Adriana cocked her head, interrupting me. “I mean, is it? Because you’re in this transitional moment and–”

“Put me on speakerphone,” Kieran said.

I rolled my eyes, walking back to where Adriana was and putting the phone on the kitchen counter as I put him on speakerphone.

“Okay, you’re on speaker,” I said, meeting Adriana’s gaze.

“Good. So, let’s put this in perspective,” Kieran said, his voice filling the small kitchen. “The Rossis think we’re weak because of the transition, right?”

“You could say that,” Adriana agreed, leaning against the counter.

“And they’re trying to take advantage of it,” Kieran continued.

I took a deep breath, raking a hand through my hair again while trying to keep my focus. The fatigue was hidden well beneath my facade, but Adriana knew better. She did not miss the way I held myself, the slight tension in my shoulders that gave away my worry.

“Exactly,” Adriana finished for him, her copper-toned eyes keenly focused on the phone.

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