Page 50 of Romancing the Reaper

Do I really have a choice? I know that I would easily trade my life for her, and so I do. I rush toward her, her eyes widening in fear and relief when she sees me coming for her , but apparently, I was only a few steps ahead of her brother.

Cristiano and Alberto come from the far side, guns ready and Cristiano’s men quickly spread out over the space and I’m frozen.

We’re both caught in the same trap when Patrick’s voice comes over the loudspeaker.

“Cristiano, Welcome. I see you got my invitation.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ADA

Cristiano and his men have always moved like a perfect unit. In the background of my vision, they do the same now, swinging the target of their guns in unison toward the body moving into the space from the left of my body.

Patrick’s a much older man than I would have presumed and on the two floors above us I can hear the thunder of footsteps as countless of his men all take their places. The lighting is too bad to know just how many weapons are pointed at Kieran, my brother, and his men.

All of the movement is background to the body standing in front of me, knuckles ruined and fists swollen. Clothed in all black and yet still so impossibly handsome that he takes my breath away.My heart flutters in my chest as tears well in my eyes at the sight of him.

He’s alive.

He came for me.

Kieran doesn’t take his eyes off mine for a single second as the older man moves into our space. Even from the corner of my eye I can see the overly self-satisfied grin that he’s wearing as he moves with arrogant steps into the room. He lingers in the corners of my spotlight, a place that I’m sure he’s been his whole life in one capacity or another.

Subtly, Kieran starts to put his body between mine and the man’s. He’s blocking me from view as if he’s not in just as much danger as I am. I can’t seem to find the words to tell them all to run. I could lose every man that’s important to me tonight. In one fell swoop I could lose all of them.

There’s so much that I still need to tell Kieran…

Things that I need to tell all of them.

“I wondered which of you was going to get here first. Personally, I had rather hoped that you might meet outside and kill each other before I even had to bother with you.” Patrick laughs softly, amused with himself. “I would have put bets on it. But now my men will have the pleasure of ending you themselves. Ican tell you, they are very excited to get rid of you, Kieran. They don’t appreciate you turning on them.”

Kieran’s eye twitches. Clearly there’s more story to this. I wish I was untied so that I could take his hand. I’m useless in a fight but at least I could do that. My chest aches with how much I missed him.

“You’re mistaken, Patrick. Someone will die today, but it won’t be us.” Cristiano taunts.

I bet he’s also got far more men here than I can even properly fathom. It never frightened me to see the rage on Cristiano’s face. No matter what, he’s always going to be my brother. I know the job he does. Same as father always did. This world is mine too. But Kieran? I’m happy I’m not on the other end of his icy fury. His hands tremble at his sides and I know that it’s got nothing to do with fear. It’s bloodlust.

“What a perfect chance to end some old feuds, isn’t that right?” Patrick sneers, his voice mirthful.

“What the fuck do you want, Patrick.” Kieran spits, his voice unlike anything I’ve ever heard.

Hard to imagine that the same tongue that brings me such pleasure, can sound like that when he’s speaking.

“Well, you’re both here to avenge your fathers, are you not? Cristiano, you’re out for blood given Kieran’s father’s, mybrother’s, involvement in the death of your father. And Kieran, you want to kill Cristiano because he killed your father. Is that not correct?”

“There’s more to it.” Kieran grits through his teeth.

Did he truly have something to do with my father’s death? Why did I not know that? What else is being hidden from me?

“Oh, right, of course. Do forgive me, nephew. He also wanted you dead for stealing his fiancé, isn’t that right? I believe you married her… So, he was going to ruin your sister to get back at you.” Patrick laughed, full of condescension.

Maeve and Kieran?

The mere thought of it makes me sick. Is that true?

Before I can speak, or ask a single question, Alberto lunges. He’s the first one to move.

“Stand down!” Cristiano bellows, his voice echoing through the otherwise empty warehouse walls. Alberto moves straight for Kieran. Kieran could have shot him, but he drops his gun intentionally and allows himself to be tackled. Why did he do that? What’s happening? Alberto’s fist collides with Kieran’s face and I snap. The tears and confusion well inside me too strongly. I pull at my bonds, my heart breaking seeing my best friend, a man like a brother to me, hurting the man that I love.

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