Page 51 of Exile and Embrace

“Still.” I move into the living room, going for my glass of wine and draining what’s left.

“Still, nothing. I agreed to let you come out here with me, and I’m going to protect you while you’re with me. From everyone. Including my brother.”

I set the empty glass down on the table. “If that’s true, then why are you coming home with blood on your shirt again?”

He glances down at his shirt, searching for a moment before he looks at the hem. “I didn’t know I got blood on me. Sorry. Cillian took care of some business. I was there, but I wasn’t really involved with it.”

“And is that supposed to make me feel better?”

I drop down into the armchair and tilt my head back, sighing. “I’m sorry. I’m lashing out at you even though it’s your brother that’s upset me.”

“Lash out at me all you need to.” Finn perches himself on the arm of the chair. “I know that dealing with Declan is a lot. He’s never been an easy person to be around.”

“I couldn’t imagine growing up with him.”

Finn shrugs. “It wasn’t so bad when Cormac was around. He used to take the brunt of Declan’s pissy attitude and turn it right back around on him.”

“Cormac was your older brother, right?”

He nods and gets up from the couch. “He is. I’m going to go get cleaned up. Want to watch a movie before bed?”

I nod. “I could use something to get my mind off that call.”

He heads for the bedroom as I prop my feet on the edge of the chair and hold my knees to my chest.

Before Finn disappears into the bedroom, he turns around to look at me.

“Aves, I’m serious. I hope you know that. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

As his eyes pierce mine, I start to believe him.

13

FINN

I’m still pissed. It’s been days, and I still haven’t gotten over the call Ava had with Declan.

I might not know everything that happened during their relationship, but it was clear that she didn’t want to talk to him.

Hell, she looked terrified.

Cillian clears his throat, pulling me from thoughts of how I’m going to throttle my brother. Cillian nods to the man tied to the chair.

The man thrashes, trying to free his wrists and spit the gag out.

With a sigh, I stalk toward the man, cracking my knuckles. Even though brute work isn’t something that I do much of anymore, I’m willing to do what it takes to get closer to Cillian.

Thing is, the closer I get, the more I struggle with the decision to kill him and allow my father to take his territory.

Cillian is a good leader. His people look up to him. They follow him without question, and I’ve yet to see anyone step out of line.

I stop nearly a foot in front of the man and tuck my hands in my pockets. “We’re all friends here, Murphy. I would hate to see something happen to you because you didn’t want to give Mr. O’Reilly the information he needs.”

Murphy mumbles something that sounds a lot like fuck you against his gag.

Cillian sighs and shakes his head. “Murphy, Finn doesn’t want to hurt you, but he’s going to if you won’t cooperate. What I want to know is simple. I know that you have the answer. So, are you going to do this the easy way or the hard way?”

Murphy thrashes in his seat again, glaring daggers at Cillian.

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