Page 12 of Vengeful Union

I want to make it clear that I certainly didn’t come here forhim. Niall Murphy is not the kind of man I want to be around at all. And he is definitely not who I want to become.

“Come inside.”

He turns, and I follow him up to his office at the top of the stairs. He sits down behind the desk.

I close the door and remain standing. I don’t plan on being here long.

“What happened?”

My father looks up at me, sighing. “Your sister was kidnapped by the Burkes.”

“The Burkes?”

“And now, we’re retaliating.”

“Of course, we are.” My tone is sarcastic, but I don’t exactly want to argue. Arguing with Niall is like arguing with a brick wall.

He narrows his eyes at me. “Have you forgotten how we do things here?”

“I haven’t forgotten. I guess I was just hoping you’d straightened up some.”

“I don’t know how you’re my son. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.”

I shrug. “I’m the same as I ever was, Father.”

He takes a deep breath. “In any case, they took what belongs to me, so I took something from them. An eye for an eye.”

“Wait a minute.” I put my hand to my forehead. “You kidnapped someone because Bree was supposedly taken?”

“Not supposedly. The whole town knows she was taken. I couldn’t let them get away with that and not retaliate.”

“So, your solution is to kidnap someone else?” I can’t wrap my head around this. I know my father is crazy, but kidnapping?

“I took one of the Burke bitches. I have Patrick half in the grave. It’s not like he’s going to retaliate.”

“Of course, he will! What are you talking about?”

My father stands up, slamming his hands down on his desk. “I won’t be talked down to like I’m a child, and especially not by the likes of you. Where were you when your sister was taken? Have you even talked to her?”

I know I haven’t talked to Bree for a while now, but I thought she would be safe. Protected.

God. It’s easy to drift apart when we’re not seeing each other every day, but she is my sister.

“I’m here now.” Unfortunately. And only to help my sister. God knows what she is going through in the enemy’s hands.

“Well, while you were away, all kinds of shit has gone down, and you’re responsible for helping me fix it.”

“I’m not responsible for your reckless actions,” I growl.

“Like hell you aren’t! She’s yoursister,Rory. When did you lose all your loyalty?”

“I haven't been loyal to you since I was a kid.”

My words hang in the air, making the situation even more tense.

“So, what? You’re going to go back to your nine to five? Wear your cheap suits as your sister suffers God knows what in those filthy Burkes’ hands?”

“I didn’t say that.” I speak through gritted teeth, my hands turning to fists at my side. “I’ll help. But it’s not because of you.”

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