Page 28 of Reign of Psychos

“Sure.”

I left the elevator and walked downstairs to where Declan had an office. A fire blazed in the hearth as he pointed at a chair and indicated I should sit.

“I won’t offer you a drink,” he said while pouring himself one.

So he knew too.

Did everyone know??

“Only the important people,” he said in answer to my unspoken question. “And in case you’re wondering, no, I wasn’t planning on letting Vasily Orliov know, even though I bet he’ll be thrilled to learn he’s going to be a granddaddy.”

“I very much doubt that,” I muttered.

Declan waved his hand dismissively. “Anyway, that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”

I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

“Sky News says your father’s been arrested by the DIA.”

“Yes.”

“My contact told me a ton of evidence arrived on the desk of the DIA’s director, Matteo Carabone. I believe it came from Francesco’s former accountant, who sadly died in a car bomb attack a few days ago, yes?”

“You’re very knowledgeable,” I commented.

“Knowledge is power, Thea, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

He made a good point. Torrance had always hoarded knowledge like a dragon collected gold. He then used it to blackmail and coerce my father’s enemies.

“Any idea where Torrance is?” I asked.

“That’s why I wanted to talk to you.” He frowned. “None of my contacts can pin him down, which is a concern.” I nodded in agreement. Torrance was a loose end none of us needed. Least of all me. The sooner the DIA arrested him, the better.

“Until he’s located and eliminated, you and Verity are in danger, and while you are friends with my cousin, it puts her at risk as well.”

I understood what he was saying. Torrance wouldn’t think twice about using the people I cared for to draw me out. He probably thought I’d played a part in my father’s arrest and wanted to exact revenge. Plus, he knew that handing me over to Marku would earn him a hefty reward.

“We can leave this evening. I’ll talk to the guys when I go back upstairs.” I went to stand, eager to get the fuck out of here before he decided the best way to resolve his security issue was to kill me. Or at least try.

“That’s not what I meant, Thea,” he said dryly. “Sit down.”

Now I was confused.

“My sisters go back to school in four days. They’re enrolled at an exclusive boarding school in the south. Security there is impeccable, which means they are safe. If you are agreeable, I will arrange for Verity to attend the same school.”

“You’d do that for me? For us?”

The milk of human kindness did not flow through Declan’s veins. He ran the Irish mafia, for fuck’s sake. Yes, notionally speaking, Seamus was in charge, but everyone knew Declan sat in the hot seat these days. Seamus seemed to spend most of his time on the golf course or relaxing with his wife.

Not that I blamed him. The life of a mafia don was a hard one. Many dons ended up dying prematurely, so the fact he’d lasted this long suggested he was smart as well as ruthless. Traits Declan had clearly inherited.

“Yes.” He half-smiled. “I like you, Thea. You have a good heart.”

I almost blushed at the unexpected compliment but managed to maintain my usual blank expression.

“Thanks.”

He chuckled. “You’re not at all like my cousin, but she seems to adore you, so I’d prefer it if you stayed alive. So, are you happy for me to enrol Verity at Castlemaine Academy?”

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