Page 111 of Mob Saint

I freeze with a clear view into the building. The O’Rourkes look like something in an action movie. They move with synchronicity that comes from hours of practice. They look like they’re in the military as they work their way through the massive open factory.

I practically jump out of my skin when another hand covers my mouth. I try to scream.

“It’s me. Cormac. Don’t move, Tiernan. He’ll see the motion and get distracted.”

I sink against Cormac in relief. At least until I hear his grunt of pain. I try to pull away, worried I’m hurting him. But he pins me against him. His body feels the same as Seamus’s, yet it feels nothing like his brother. They’re built the same, but just like none of the handsome Colombians do anything for me, neither does Cormac. I just want to get to Seamus.

I can’t tell who’s Finn, Shane, Sean, Dillan, or the other three men since they all wear beanies to cover their red hair. From a distance, they look like the same man but seven of him. I think one is Kieran, so my guess is the other two are his brothers.

“My dad and uncles are in there. Don’t distract them either. I want my entire family to come home tonight.”

Cormac confirms my suspicions. I turn my head at movement to my right. Alejandro and two other men sprint toward us. I look to my left and see Pablo and Javier approaching slowly. When Alejandro and the other two are near the open door through which I’m watching Seamus and his family, they creep closer. No one wants to distract the men inside.

It feels like it takes forever, but it must have only been a few minutes before O’Rourkes and O’Briens—I suppose men loyal to Darren—stop shooting each other. Seamus pulls his beanie off and walks toward Darren, who’s kneeling in front of one of Seamus’s cousins. I’m unprepared for Seamus to pull a knife and stab Darren through the eye. I cringe, but don’t turn away. Seamus pulls it out as the men outside with me try to shield my view.

“Let me see.” Cormac’s hand muffles my demand. It tightens over my mouth, so that I can’t open wide enough to bite him. He’s prepared.

I go still, hoping they believe I’ve finally given up. They don’t. None of them move out of my way.

“Don’t look, Tiernan. He wouldn’t want you to see this. Please. He won’t forgive himself if he finds out you saw that. This isn’t the man he wants you to see when you look at him.”

I shake my head, trying to get my mouth free. I headbutt Cormac, throwing my head back into his nose. It loosens his hold on my mouth.

“You don’t decide that for me. I want to see him kill Darren. I want to know the bastard is finally dead. I want to know Seamus finished what he started. I want to watch Keith suffer for everything he did to me. I’m certain he’s the one who fucked with my husband’s car and killed him and our baby. I have a right to see.”

I try harder than ever to get free. That rage I tamped down earlier to let Darren spew his truth consumes me now. I fight harder than I thought I could. It does me no good because Cormac doesn’t let go, and now Pablo stands directly in front of me.

“Move the fuck out of my way. I have a right to watch the men who destroyed my life have theirs taken from them. It’s my right.”

I keep repeating the last sentence.

To subdue me without hurting me, Pablo shifts, and I can see past him. I can see Seamus again. I watch as his knife slices off the little that’s left of Darren’s left ear. He says something, but I can’t hear. Darren remains quiet. It’s the wrong response because Seamus puts a gun to Darren’s ribs. Blood explodes from the wound. Darren lurches sideways as he screams.

He hits the floor still screaming. Seamus kicks him in the belly. When Darren doubles over, Seamus’s boot lands in his chest, pushing Darren onto his back. Seamus pounces, one knee pressing into Darren’s chest as his fist rains down on Darren’s face until there’s surely nothing left of it. I watch, mesmerized, as Seamus lifts Darren’s head and slams it into the floor over and over and over. Blood spreads out beneath Darren’s body, coating Seamus’s knee that’s on the ground. He takes his knife to Darren’s throat before putting a bullet straight between his eyes. Seamus stands and puts one through Darren’s heart for good measure.

“Tiernan, don’t watch any more. Seamus is going to be beside himself to know you saw that. Please. This isn’t about you. It’s about my brother. Please.”

I hear Cormac’s beseeching tone. I want to watch what happens to Keith, but I know he’s right. I know this is going to upset Seamus to the point he might walk away rather than let me be near the man he is right now. That’s the last thing I want. I nod and turn on my own.

I glance up and see the damage I did to Cormac’s nose. I wince since it’s clearly broken. My hands cover my mouth and nose as my eyes widen when I take in the blood on his face and collar, then the sling his arm should be in. He looks like he’s going to pass out.

“Fuck. I’m going to kill his brother.” I mutter more than anything else as I reach behind Cormac and try to open the SUV door.

“I’m not going to die yet. It would take attention away from Seamus’s reunion with you, and he’ll kill me for that.”

Cormac offers me a lopsided smile. What the fuck? He’s cracking jokes.

I turn my head when one of the Colombians I haven’t met speaks up. His accent is as thick as Javier’s.

“We laugh, or we cry. It’s not very macho to cry in front of our men. We save the tears for when we’re alone.”

I twist to see who spoke. It’s about the most profound thing I’ve ever heard. My gaze darts back to where Seamus is now working Keith over. I whip my head back around and reach for the car door again. I get it open a crack.

“Cormac, sit down. Seamus won’t forgive me if I kill you. I’m so sorry. I didn’t notice how wounded you are. How were you able to hold on to me?”

“Because no one means more to my brother than you. I’ll do anything to protect you just like I would him. I used to ask my parents if we could trade Seamus for a sister. I get to keep a pretty cool brother and get an even better sister.”

I stare up at him, and I must look like a beached fish. I’m in an alternative universe. I have to be. I’m fucking Dorothy in the Land of Oz. It’s all a dream. The Colombians helping the Irish. Mobster and Cartel members cracking jokes while my boyfriend goes Vlad the Impaler on my stalkers. I seriously doubt this is how any O’Brien mission goes. I might be the one who needs to sit down.

---