Page 85 of Yours

“No,” I admitted, my voice low. “But he’s the mostlikelysuspect. And until I know for sure, I’m preparing for the worst.”

Seamus nodded, clapping a hand on my shoulder before heading out too.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself and think clearly. The Benedettis might have been a force to reckon with, but they weren’t the only ones who pulled strings in this city.

I had my allies too.

I reached for my phone and dialed the number of someone I didn’t call often. Someone I avoided calling unless absolutely necessary.

The mayor.

Victor Castellano.

It rang twice before he picked up.

“Ronan,” he said smoothly, his voice calm, almost amused. “I don’t usually take calls this late. What’s the occasion?”

“I’m not in the mood for small talk,” I said, my annoyance clear. “I’ve got a problem, and you’re going to help me fix it.”

“Am I?” he replied, his tone still infuriatingly light. “And here I thought we’d agreed to keep our dealings… infrequent.”

“This isn’t about us,” I snapped. “This is about my sister.”

That got his attention. There was a pause, just long enough to feel heavy.

“Go on,” he said finally, his voice losing some of its amusement.

“She’s been kidnapped,” I said, my words clipped and deliberate. “By someone who thinks they’re untouchable. Someone who doesn’t understand the consequences of messing with an O’Malley.”

“And you think I can help with this?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

“You can,” I said bluntly. “You know everything that happens in this city. You know who pulls the strings and who holds the knives. If you don’t know who took her, you know someone who does.”

Victor let out a soft sigh, the sound edged with exasperation.

“Ronan, I sympathize, truly. But this is a delicate time for me. The press is already circling like vultures over the Benedetti situation. If I so much as sneeze in the wrong direction, they’ll pounce.”

“Spare me the excuses,” I growled. “You got elected because of me. Because my family and our allies made sure you had the support you needed to take that office. Don’t pretend you don’t owe me.”

“Is that a threat?” he asked, his voice dropping, the calm veneer cracking just slightly.

“It’s a promise,” I said coldly. “If my sister isn’t returned immediately, there won’t just be a war between the O’Malleys and the Benedettis. I’ll tear this city apart. I’ll burn everything down—including your precious office—if that’s what it takes to get her back.”

The mayor was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his tone was sharper. “You’d burn me down too, would you? After all we’ve done for each other?”

“I don’t want to,” I admitted, my voice steady. “But don’t think for a second that I won’t. My sister is everything to me, and if you’re not with me on this, then you’re against me.”

He let out a low, humorless chuckle. “You’ve got a hell of a way with words, O’Malley. But you forget—I’m not just some politician you can push around. You might own the streets, but I own the spotlight. I can make you public enemy number one with a single press conference.”

“And I can make you disappear,” I shot back, my voice calm, but deadly.

The silence on the other end of the line dragged for a beat, tension building like a brewing storm between us. I waited, my grip tight on the phone, knowing the mayor was weighing his options.

“Alright, Ronan,” he said finally. “You’ve got my attention.”

“I didn’t kill Lorenzo,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering. “If I had, I wouldn’t be calling you and trying to convince you otherwise. I don’t play games like that, Victor.”

“Let’s assume for a moment I believe you didn’t kill Lorenzo. If it’s not you, who the hell do you think it is?” he replied.

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