Page 13 of Vengeful Union

It’s important to me that he knows that.

I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to be part of his stupid plan. He’s all-but starting a war, taking Patrick Burke’s daughter.

“Then you’ll help.”

“Help with what?”

“Lara Burke. She needs to be handled, but kept alive, so you need to get all the information you can out of her.”

I snort. “Why me? You have more than enough manpower that you don’t need me to do anything.”

“Because my men are loyal, but they are a little too violence-happy, and I need her breathing and able to talk.”

I rub a hand across my face. “I guess I have no choice, then.”

“Don’t try me, boyo.” My father scowls, but I ignore him.

I hate being put in this position, but if my cousins or my father do it, Lara Burke will suffer more than she needs to.

I don’t want blood on my hands. Or the guilt that would come from knowing I walked away and left her to fend for herself.

“Tell me where she is.”

“Upstairs. In the right wing.”

I storm the hall to go upstairs, and the first person I see at the bottom of the stairs is my idiot cousin, Oscar.

Why did my father have to choose him to kidnap this poor girl?

It’s not like I think Lara Burke is innocent. I’d never think a Burke is innocent, butshedidn’t kidnap Bree.

Oscar’s eyes widen when he sees me. “Rory. It’s been a dog’s ear since I’ve seen you last. You’re all grown up now.”

“Yeah.” I step closer to him. “And I hear my father’s gotten me into a mess.”

He shrugs. “It’s just a little retaliation.”

“There are better ways.”

“How would you know? It’s not like you’ve been around.”

“Yeah, well, I’m taking point on this.” My voice is hard and firm, and for a moment, I think Oscar is going to protest.

I don’t care. I just want to get this done as soon as possible, so we can all move on with our lives.

Whatever Lara Burke knows about my sister, I’ll find out.

Chapter Five

5

LARA

My stomach rumblesas I lie on the floor, facing the doorway. At least I was able to go to the bathroom earlier, but now I’m starving.

I’ve been here for hours. Maybe a day? I can’t really tell the time because the window is covered by a black-out curtain. My muscles ache from being practically hog-tied.

“Hey! Are you going to let me starve in here?”

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