Page 85 of Dublin Devil

I want it all.

I understand why Tag brought Laine here instead of to his loft in the city. He wants those things, too.

Piper is beside me, her body tense, her eyes haunted by too many ghosts. I want to say something to ease her, but words fail me. What do you say to a girl who’s been thrown away by her family?

Even if I knew what to say, with Brendan and Bryan in the front seat, now is not the time.

Tag and Laine are waiting for us on the driveway. The relief on Laine’s face when she sees us unload is palpable. It eases a tightness in my chest. She always seems genuine with me and my brothers, but there’s no mistaking her concern.

I’m grateful she cares as much as she does.

Tag deserves a good woman.

“Everyone intact?” Tag asks.

“Drake has a broken hand and Frenchie caught shrapnel in his leg, but that’s about it. Kelvin was waiting at the clubhouse to take care of any injuries.”

Tag studies us one by one and then nods. “All right. We’ll recap the night in the war room and then you boys can get cleaned up.”

“I need to see to Piper first.” My tone is harsher than I intend, but it’s been one hell of a night. “She’s been through hell. The debriefing can wait.”

Tag frowns. “Not your call.”

Laine steps forward, her expression softening. “I’ll take Piper up to your room and run her a bath. I swear I won’t leave her side. And if she needs you for any reason, I’ll call you right away.”

Everything in me is screaming not to let her out of my sight. It’s crazy, but after the past week, I’ve learned to expect the worst when it comes to her.

Piper touches my arm lightly, her gaze meeting mine. “Go with Tag and your brothers, Sean. It’s important. He needs all the details to prepare for retaliation.”

Her voice is steady, stronger than I expect from someone who’s just been pulled from the brink. When I study her gaze, it’s there too. Undeniable strength.

Tag’s expression tightens. “How bad is it going to be?”

I take a deep breath, the weight of my next words settling like lead in my stomach. “Mattie McGuire is dead. Things went sideways, and I caught up to them while he was beating Piper. Gravely was there to put her down. I opened fire on both of them.”

Tag’s gaze widens. “Mattie’s dead?”

“Definitely,” Brendan says.

“What about Gravely?”

I sigh. “I winged him for sure and Piper unloaded his Beretta at him as he ran away, so if we’re lucky, he’s following Mattie straight down to hell.”

“When have we ever been lucky?” Tag absorbs the news and then turns to Piper. “It wasn’t our plan to kill your father, and I’m sorry you lost him, but please know we will do anything to protect our family. Sean tells us you’re his family now, so that makes you ours as well. I’m sorry if that puts you in a tight spot.”

She shakes her head, a bitter smile touching her lips. “It doesn’t. After the past week, I’m severing all ties with the McGuires. I will miss Brody and Rory, though. Rory isn’t deep in the business, and I’m hoping after seeing what happened, he’ll walk away, too.”

Tag nods, understanding and respect mingling in his gaze. “If any of your brothers walk away, I’ll hold no grudges. They’ll be safe from us. I give you my word.”

“I appreciate that, Tag. Thank you.”

I appreciate that too. “Thanks, brother.”

Tag’s word is good, and it eases a sliver of the worry gnawing at me about my family and Pipers being in a bitter war until the end.

If she thinks we can save Rory, we will certainly try.

With that settled, the six of us move into the house. I walk with my arm around Piper’s hips and when we arrive at the bottom of the stairs, I kiss her temple. “I’m downstairs if you need me.”

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