Page 70 of Wild Card

I don’t know what to do with his confession, especially given my part in holding her against her will, so I just let him talk. A lot of men have failed my beautiful Catriona, including me.

“If she doesn’t make it, I’m going back tonight to kill every single man left in that house. Wipe out anyone who enabled that rapist piece of shit who had her and Bridget. Even if he didn’t…” he drops his voice and looks at Bridget as if to make sure she’s still there, and still asleep. “Even though we were able to interrupt his assault on Bridget, and you kept Catriona from him for the most part, you know he’s done that to other women.”

Bile rises in my throat and I choke it down.

“I’m going to look into his network. See what I can find out.”

I’m going to put out feelers to make sure no one wants to avenge Freddie, and see if he had any allies in trafficking, or if he was running most of that himself. I’ll have to be careful, but I don’t want any more women getting hurt if I can stop it.

Patrick settles back in his chair. “Let me know if you need help disposing of any of these shitbags. Glad at least one less rapist is drawing breath tonight.”

“I will. Thank you.”

It’s a strange truce we’ve made.

Carney’s children are nothing like I thought they’d be. Nothing like their disgusting father.

We wait the rest of our time together in silence. Minutes drag painfully on until a doctor comes out over an hour later. Callan and I jump up to greet him. It’s the most emotion I’ve seen from him. I don’t doubt that he cares about his sister, but the face he presents to the world is very different from what’s going on inside if his text messages are any indication.

“How is she?” I stammer.

“Her appendix burst,” the doctor says. “And because of the additional trauma from her other injuries, we nearly lost her. But we were able to clear out the infected tissue, and she’s on strong antibiotics. We’ll monitor her carefully through the night, but if you want to see her?”

I look at Callan. I’ll beg him if I have to, but I need to see her.

He presses his lips together, but nods.

Patrick gives Bridget a little shake, and she startles awake, grabbing his arm. Patrick grimaces, and then whispers something to her and she’s on her feet in seconds. Patrick and I exchange a glance.

“He’s lucky he’s dead,” he repeats, his hand on his sister’s shoulder as she trembles next to him.

So is Lorenzo.

I hate what happened to these women.

We walk to the ICU. Normally only one person can go in at a time, but Callan is able to get us all in easily.

Catriona’s pale and gaunt. Bridget rushes up to her and kisses her forehead, pleading with her to get better. Patrick moves beside Bridget, holding her like some kind of security blanket, not that he’d ever admit it. Callan looks at his twin, a fine line creasing between his eyes. He whispers something to her, and then brushes her hair off of her face. I wait for them to move even though I want to shove past her brothers to feel her heartbeat and make sure she’s still alive. When it’s my turn, I pick up her soft, delicate hand.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to you sooner,” I whisper. I desperately want to see her vibrant and healthy, but she’s got a long road ahead of her. “You are an incredible woman, Catriona. I’ve never met anyone as strong, as brave, and as clever.” I want to add beautiful, but then her brothers might rightfully pummel me. “And you deserve the world, piccolina. Don’t let anyone tell you to settle for less.” I kiss her knuckles, thank her brothers and offer a wan smile to Bridget. It’s agony to leave Catriona, but her siblings will watch over her.

It’s terrible luck to let a primrose die, I hear, and I’m hopeful that doesn’t happen any time soon.

And now I have to check in on Nonna, tell her about her son, and help her face this new pain. There’s sadly enough pain to go around.

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