Page 130 of Vengeful Princess

Declan sent some men into the club before making a phone call, presumably to call in backup. Then picked up Eden like she weighed nothing and carried her to a waiting car.

“Get in,” he snapped at me. I bristled with anger at his tone, but decided this was not the time to assert my feminine displeasure at being ordered around. I’d rather he dropped me off at the hotel so I could get cleaned up.

Some of Ryan’s blood had splattered over me and my pretty dress was now pink and silver. The boots were going in the trash pronto. There was no way on earth I could wear them again.

Eden murmured incoherently as Declan climbed into the passenger seat a few moments later. When I looked out of the window, two vans had turned up and several guys dressed in black were moving the bodies.

Then we were away, gliding through the city like vampires in the night. I held Eden’s hand, thankful she was safe. I’d half-expected Declan to take her to a hospital to get checked out, but he’d mentioned a doctor was waiting for us back at his apartment.

By the time we walked into a large penthouse at the top of an upmarket glass and chrome complex, I was tired and ready for bed. With no more adrenaline in my system, I could barely keep my eyes open.

Once Eden had been placed in a bedroom with a doctor and nurse, Declan led me into a side room and pointed at a chair.

“Tell me exactly what happened,” he instructed as he poured a drink from a glass decanter, not bothering to offer me one. Rude.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I briefly outlined the events of our evening, from when I spotted the two men in suits watching us, to what happened in the alleyway.

“Any idea who they were?” he asked me. My eyebrows shot up. How would I know who the goons were?

My face must have registered surprise. He half-smiled. “I know who you are, Thea. So let me ask again, did you recognize any of the men?”

“Who am I?” I asked, ignoring his question.

“Francesco di Luca’s daughter. The ghost.”

My blood ran cold as my body tensed up. If he knew who I was, he knew damn well I was a valuable asset. While Seamus Kelly and my father had never been sworn enemies, there also wasn’t much love between them.

If Seamus, and by extension, Declan, wanted a bargaining chip, holding me captive would prove very effective.

Not because my dear father loved me so much that he’d do anything to get me back. It was more that I was useful to him. And, more importantly, I knew where he’d buried his skeletons.

Literally.

“In answer to your question, no, I have no idea who the men were. Lachlan and Ryan claimed to be lawyers, but that could have been a cover. The two men gave nothing away that might identify them, but Ryan had an Irish accent.”

Declan sipped his drink and watched me. I let my eyes wander around the room, pretending to take in the decor, effecting nonchalance. But I was more than ready to fight back if this asshole tried anything.

He might think he was the big cheese, but I was no pushover.

“I’ll get confirmation soon, but I think they worked for the O’Rourkes, our rivals. I doubt it was a targeted hit. Most likely an opportunistic attack when one of them saw Eden and recognized her.” He tapped his finger on the arm of his chair and looked thoughtful. “I thought she’d be safe here, but apparently not.”

“She’s safe on campus.” I was there, and security was tight. It was unlikely anyone would attempt to kidnap her from the college.

“Yes. It’s when she goes gallivanting away from college I’m concerned about.” He grimaced and some of the tension in my shoulders eased. “I know my cousin. She has a tendency to be reckless, particularly when she feels constrained.”

A small snort escaped before I schooled my face. No wonder she was tearing her hair out with Michael. A needy, overly attentive man was the last thing she wanted if she’d grown tired of being coddled by an over-protective family.

“But that’s my problem,” Declan continued. “Once Eden’s feeling better, I’ll discuss it with her. But in the meantime, I owe you a thank you. If you hadn’t been there, I’d have been dealing with a very different outcome this evening.”

“She’s my friend,” I bit back in annoyance.My only friend. “I wasn’t about to let anything happen to her.”

Declan nodded. “I’m sure Eden will want to thank you herself when the drug in her system wears off, but the Kelly family owes you a debt. If you ever need us, call me.” He leaned forward. “It’s a one-time pass that only extends to you. Not your father or that sadistic fucker who works for him.”

“Ah, you’ve met Torrance.” A shadow crossed Declan’s eyes and I guessed that yes, they’d met, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

“Indeed. Are we clear?”

I nodded.

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