Page 23 of Mafia Wars

Instead, I stare at the blur of trees and street lights whipping past, their shapes stretching like ghosts. A pit settles in my stomach, the kind that tells me something is coming—something I won't like.

We pull up to the house, and the tension only gets worse. There's another car already here, parked at an odd angle like someone couldn't be bothered to straighten it out. Cian swears under his breath and kills the engine.

"Stay close to me," he says, his voice low and edged with something dark.

I nod, though my heart hammers as I step out into the night. The rain is heavier now, dampening my hair and soaking into my shoes, but I barely notice. The front door swings open before we even get there, and Jack—Cian's cousin—fills the doorway.

"What the fuck took you so long?" Jack growls, his sharp eyes narrowing on us. He's tall and broad, but his presence feels larger than life like he could crush someone with his stare alone. His clothes are rumpled, his face set in a scowl that makes my stomach twist. Something’s wrong.

"What happened?" Cian bites out, as Jack backs into the house letting us get out of the rain. Cian’s shoulders are squared, his whole body coiled like he's ready for a fight.

Jack runs a hand through his hair, frustration rolling off him in waves. "Richard tried to clip Niall."

The words slam into me like a physical blow. Cian stiffens. I canfeelthe anger radiating off him, sharp and dangerous.

"Is he—?"

"He's fine," Jack says quickly, holding up a hand. "It was close, but he's fine. For now."

Cian exhales, a sound that's part relief, part rage. I take an instinctive step closer to him, the warmth of his arm a small comfort in this sudden, chaotic storm.

Jack doesn’t miss it. He shifts his attention to me, and the look he gives me makes my throat tighten. Like I’m the root of the problem, and he knows it. His eyes are the most unusual blue that seems to sear right through my flesh.

"We don’t need this shit right now," Jack continues, his tone sharp. "The shipments are coming in, and we’re up to our necks already. A turf war? That’s the last fucking thing we need."

"Then I’ll handle it," Cian growls, the muscles in his jaw flexing.

Jack scoffs, the sound full of disbelief. "Handle it? You think this isjustyour fight? You know better than that, Cian. We’re all in this together. You don’t get to play hero."

He looks at me again, and this time there’s no mistaking the accusation in his eyes. "Richard wants her. Youknowthat, don’t you? And this ends if—"

"That’s not happening." Cian cuts him off, stepping in front of me like a shield. His voice is low and lethal, a tone I’ve never heard before.

I glance at the back of his head, then at Jack, whose mouth presses into a thin line.

"You’re thinking with your heart instead of your head," Jack mutters, his frustration simmering just below the surface. He turns slightly, speaking to both of us now. "We can’t keep sitting around waiting to be picked off. We need a plan. A meeting. Tonight."

Cian doesn’t argue. "Fine. Call it."

Jack doesn’t wait for more. He storms outside, muttering under his breath. The front door slams behind him, leaving me and Cian alone in the hallway. I shiver, but not from the cold.

Cian turns to me, his expression softer now, though his eyes are still dark. Haunted.

"Are you okay?" he asks quietly.

I want to say yes, but the words stick in my throat. How could I be okay?Niall could’ve died.Richard wantsme. This is my fault. The reality of it crashes over me, and I stagger back a step, sucking in a shaky breath.

Cian reaches for me, his hands firm on my arms. "Hey. Look at me."

I do, though it’s hard. His gaze pierces straight through me, searching for something I’m not sure I can give. Reassurance? Hope?

"You’re safe here," he says. "I’m not letting him touch you."

I believe him—and that terrifies me more than anything. Because I know what it will cost him to keep that promise. Cian will fight for me. He will bleed for me. He coulddiefor me.

And I can’t let that happen.

I love the man standing in front of me, with his stormy eyes, scarred knuckles and the unwavering way he protects me like I’m worth something. But love isn’t enough to save him.

---