Page 54 of Mob Bride

“Misha—”

“I have Carrie here.”

“What? What do you mean you have Carrie? Where are you?” I look around at my relatives as my heart rate spikes.

“I’m at my house. She came running through the neighborhood, looking for someone to take her in. Bartlomiej’s men were after her. She’s here, and she’s safe. Kitty’s sitting with her in the living room, and they’re having tea together. She asked me to call you. She said you would know who she is and why it’s important you get to her.

“She’s my girlfriend. I’m coming right now.”

“That makes no sense because she denied being your girlfriend.”

“I highly doubt that, Misha. Even if she weren’t, she wouldn’t ask you to call me if we aren’t involved in a relationship.”

“Oh, she said you’re involved. She just won’t explain how. She said she won’t until you get here.”

“You’re damn right. Just keep her safe. We’re on our way.”

“We’re? Oh, the hell you are. Just you. You are not bringing your rabble-rousing family into my home.”

“If you didn’t have my girlfriend, and she wasn’t at your mercy, I’d tell you to fuck all the way off.”

“At my mercy? You insult me. You know I’m not the one who targets women and children.”

There’s a not-so-subtle dig at my family and our past over the last few years. Thanks to Uncle Donovan and Declan, our reputation for keeping women and children out of syndicate business is ruined. Thank God the other families at least recognize the sanctuary rule that’s become an unwritten law among us.

“I’m at Dillan’s house, so I’m just around the corner. Give me five minutes, not even. I’ll be there. Tell me right now, Misha, what condition is she in?”

“What do you mean? She’s fine. Why wouldn’t she be?”

I don’t answer that question. I just repeat myself.

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

I glance over at Sean and Finn. Both nod.

“I’m coming with my brothers. The others will stay here at Dillan’s house.”

“All right. We’ll be expecting you.”

I’ve never bolted out of a door so fast as I do when I run out of Dillan’s house. I’m unlocking and starting my car as I cross the driveway. Sean and Finn are on my heels. We jump in my car.The guard at the gate barely gets it open in time for me not to ram through it.

I take the three turns until I get to the street Misha’s on. I honk, and the guy at their gate recognizes me. I’m forced to wait until Misha sticks his head out the door and gives his guard a signal. I pull into the driveway and park behind his car. I am already out of the car before the engine’s quiet. I dash to where Misha stands with the front door open.

I blow past him without a word until I see Carrie. She hears me come in and turns toward the noise. She’s out of her seat just as fast as I was out of Dillan’s front door. Then we’re rushing to each other. When she’s finally in my arms, I know I can breathe again. She wraps them around my neck, and I squeeze her against my body.

I keep my voice low as I talk. “Cailín, tell me what happened. Did he hurt you?”

“No, Daddy. He didn’t have a chance to touch me. I haven’t seen him yet. It was Tymoteusz who came to my place and said Bartlomiej wanted to see me. I was supposed to be going there anyway for the trip. I knew what was coming when Tymoteusz walked into my room.”

“He did what?”

“He walked into my room.”

“He came into your apartment uninvited and then went into your bedroom?”

“Yes, but?—”

“No buts,cailín. I’m going to kill that fecker.” Even in high stress moments, my parents’ lessons are too deeply ingrained to forget not to swear in front of women and children.

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