Page 51 of Illicit Temptation

“She’ll be in the luxury compartment. We’ll sit in the front.”

It’s for the best, that he’s here. I’m not sure what I’d do if I was alone with her right now. She has every right to dress how she wants,pretendshe’s available. Even if it makes me want to kill someone.

Griffin coming to personally meet us means he has news on the Greek mafia king’s missing sister. I might be pulled from this gig with Shea sooner than I thought.

I’m a man going to war and if I’m going to die, I want the last woman I fuck to be Shea-Lynne O’Rourke.

ON THE BIRD, WITH SHEAout of earshot, Griffin brings me up to date on the Irish and Greek war he’s diving into soon. We all are. In Lower Manhattan, the two factions have been at odds for a decade. The crown prince Devlin Keller and the Greek king, Alexander Zervas died within a week of each other in a car bomb/revenge ambush debacle. Ares Zervas, the new head of the Greek mafia, offered a truce to Devlin’s father, Troi, in the form of a marriage alliance with his sister, Ava, and Troi’s new eligible heir, who, through his wife happens to be Griffin Quinlan. Only, Devlin’s half-brother and illegitimate bastard, Brandon Keller thinksheis the rightful heir and abducted Ava on Christmas Eve.

No one’s seen her since.

Griffin takes out his phone and shows me a photo of a dilapidated building with a man standing out front smoking a joint. “It’s confirmed. That’s one of Brandon Keller’s bodyguards and according to Shane, they’ve not left that spot in a week. Kellerhasto be in there.”

“And Ava?”

“That’s the one issue with our intelligence.” Stress paints his face for the first time. “Ava Zervas is still nowhere to be found.”

“Where’s this?” I tap his screen.

“Upper West Side.”

“It makes sense Keller didn’t take her out of the country.” I go through the aerial surveillance photos.

“Brandon’s resources are limited outside the US.”

“Pretty dumb, hiding in a building.” I point to the roof. “There’s plenty of access points to get in there.”

“Clearly, the guy is out of his mind.” Griffin tucks the phone back into his overcoat. “He’s been moving around a lot. This is the only place he’s stayed for more than a couple of nights. But he’s got six guys with him. Herotates them down to four to give them breaks.”

I look up. “You taking out Brandon?”

“You’retaking him out, Enforcer.” Griffin sits back, looking quite regal for an accidental king.

A swell of pride and excitement rushes through me. “When?”

“Not sure. We’re going in when I’m comfortable he’s let his guard down.

All I can do is abduct him. Torture him until he tells us what happened to Ava. We can’t kill him if he’s the only fucker on the planet who knows where she is.”

Griffin is in an impossible situation. Zervas recognized Griffin as the new head of the Keller family. But also made him pseudo-responsible for all their sins. The main one: Kidnapping the Greek mafia princess.

If Brandon Keller killed Ava Zervas, Griffin would inherit World War III.

I’m the top war general, while Connor takes his place as underboss, and Shane heads the security arm of Quinlan Empire. Rhys will be my number-one assassin.

“I told you the stakes earlier this year.” Griffin drills me with a pensive stare. “It’s my mother’s bloodline that runs to Keller. You’re of my father’s blood. I will still respect you if this isn’t a fight you want your dogs in.”

“You’remy blood, Griff. This responsibility, this obligation to take over the strongest Irish family in Lower Manhattan got put on your shoulders.” Shoulders I squeeze. “Rhys and I are honored to stand with you.”

“You know we’re all putting our lives on the line?” He sits back.

I laugh. “You’ve been working for the O’Rourkes for most of your adult life. You’ve always been in danger.”

“That’s me.”

Visions of what Malone did to me, shudder down my spine. There’s danger and then there’s torture. “I knowthe risks. I trust you, Connor, and Shane. I hope you trust me.”

“Aye, but if Brandon killed Ava, her brother will take his revenge on us. All of us.” Griff’s jaw twitches. “Even if it’s just to save face. Meanwhile, noteveryonein Keller World wanted Brandon passed over. Some were stupid enough to remain loyal and lick his arse.”

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