Page 21 of Desecrated Reign

ROHAN

It’s neither the time nor the place to be sporting a raging hard-on, but watching Saoirse put on her little show has my cock at full attention. There’s no denying she’s hot as fuck right now, commanding a roomful of grown men so effortlessly—just like she was born to do.

My gaze travels over the four men, stopping briefly on Finn Connelly. To the naked eye, he looks composed, relaxed even, but when you look harder, you can see the slight clench of his jaw and the stiffness of his shoulders. Little does Finn know, the night of Saoirse’s initiation party, I overheard the conversation between him, Oliver, and my father. He was just as involved as they were. It’s no secret certain syndicate members have extensive knowledge of the bomb-making process. And it certainly wouldn’t take a genius to point fingers in Finn’s direction, but we have zero proof of his involvement. Right now, it would be his word against mine, and bringing it up would only tip the vote in Gabriel’s favour.

Don’t get me wrong, his comeuppance will come sooner rather than later, but we need him to think he’s getting away scot-free; because in order to keep focus from himself, I’m betting he will push daddy dearest under the next bus.

Shifting in my seat, I take my feet off the table and sit forward, asserting my dominance as I answer Saoirse’s previous question. “Hmm… only way to guarantee silence is to ensure the person can’t speak. So, if I were to wager a guess, I’d say the old bastards meant death. Would you agree, love?”

Seemingly pleased with my answer, Saoirse trails her fingers along my jawline before she drops her hand and intertwines her fingers in mine, projecting a united front. “Yes, I would, baby.”

“You have to be kidding me!” Gabriel roars. “What would either of you know? Neither of you completed your trials, yet here you are, making demands in my kingdom.”

“They are well within their rights, Gabriel.” Seamus stands, towering over my father with his broad Viking frame. “They have provided substantial evidence to support their claim, which is why you’ll be removed as the head of the Leinster Syndicate, effective immediately.”

Panic works across my father’s tight jaw, and his brow hitch-hikes towards his hairline. “No! Absolutely not. We came here today to discuss Lorcan’s disregard, not some silly fucking accusation from a pair of disgruntled teenagers.”

“I’d hardly call blowing up a car full of teenagers ‘silly.’” Finn flips faster than a boiled kettle switch, just like I knew the rotten cunt would. “Even if you weren’t successful.”

Fuming, Gabriel shoots daggers at Finn, realising that his backup has done a full fucking one-eighty, leaving him to take the fall. “That’s rich coming from you.”

“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, King. But if I were you, I’d quit while I was ahead.” Finn places two guns on the tabletop, ready and within his reach. “Just like the little one stated earlier, all the hard proof points to you and Oliver.” There’s a smugness on his face that I’d love to wipe off, but sometimes you have to play the long game in order to defeat the opponent.

My gaze darts back and forth between the two, and I wish I had a bowl of popcorn in my lap, but as thrilling as this showdown is, it’s also fucking comical to watch Gabriel try to dig his way out of a Grand-Canyon-sized hole.

Pulling his stare away from my father, Finn’s beady brown eyes flash towards Lorcan, searching for an ally. Little does he know he’s playing right into our hands. “I’d say it’s time for a vote, boys.”

Lorcan nods at him in agreement, keeping his friends close but his enemies closer. Always the perfect picture of cool, calm, and collected. “All in favour of removing Gabriel from his position as Leinster King?”

Like mine, Saoirse’s, and Keelan’s, all three of the remaining king’s hands rise unanimously while Oliver remains silent in the corner like a good little sheep.

“This is ridiculous.” Gabriel rounds the table, edging himself closer to the door and nearer to his escape. “Lorcan’s vote doesn’t count. He’s on trial here as much as I am.”

Lorcan steps forward, both hands in his pockets, as he blocks Gabriel’s only exit. “Aye. You’re right, which is why I’ve already stepped down as the Ulster king. As of May 5, the day my baby girl turned eighteen, Keelan Reilly became the new King of Ulster.”

“How?” Gabriel stutters, confusion creasing his features. “That’s not possible. Only an heir can take over, and Keelan isn’t your son. He’s Daniel’s.”

“Aye. All true, but he is a Reilly by name and by blood. And although Saoirse is my only heir, Keelan is the next in line. With Saoirse taking the Ryan syndicate seat, we decided to give her Ulster title to Keelan. It’s a little unconventional, but we’re showing the syndicate that we are prepared to keep the syndicate rules, removing Saoirse and any of her future children as an option as the next Ulster heir. And instead, allowing Keelan and his future heirs to continue the family line.”

“Very admirable, Lorcan.” Seamus turns his gaze towards Keelan, and my eyes ping-pong between the two, awaiting his thoughts on Lorcan’s choice of heir. So far, our plan has unfolded perfectly, and we just need these final pieces to slot into place. “Are you prepared to take on all that comes with being the head of Ulster, lad?”

“Aye. Belfast is a community, and the people of Ulster would prefer one of their own in power. Over the years, with the help of Lorcan, I have built strong relations with both the Catholic and Protestant communes. Keeping a Reilly as king is the only way forward, especially if we want to keep some harmony between both sides of the peace walls.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Gabriel roars. “Please explain to me why I am removed from my title while Lorcan gets a pat on the fucking back. It’s outrageous.”

“Contrary to your beliefs, Gabriel, you are, and never will be, an original family. The King name holds no merit here, but the Reilly name does.” Lorcan raises a brow, daring Gabriel to continue his tantrum. “When you got voted in nineteen years ago, it was under the condition that you were a placeholder until the next Ryan heir came of age, which she has.”

“She has not completed her trials. This is fucking ludicrous.”

“What the syndicate decides regarding Saoirse and her trials is none of your concern, King. We will deal with that in due time. As for now”—Seamus turns towards Lorcan—“I trust you will guide Saoirse and help maintain the Leinster quarter until she is fully initiated into her role.”

“Aye.”

“Okay, as of now, Lorcan Reilly is acting as Leinster king, any objections?”

Before my father can muster up a response, Finn interjects. “Not from you, King.”

Next to me, Saoirse straightens her spine as she gestures for Lorcan with the tip of her chin to bring Gabriel away from the door before uttering the words that will signal our entourage. “Well, Gabriel. I think we’re done here.”

---