Page 47 of His Temptation

Daragh leaned against the edge of the table, arms crossed over his chest, listening as Finn finished relaying the latest intel.

"MI5’s officially moved beyond observation," Finn said, his fingers tapping on the file in front of him. "They’re coordinating with Interpol now, tracking every financial move tied to Sebastian. He’s bleeding money trying to cover his tracks, but it won’t last forever. He’s getting desperate."

Con had joined them, leaving an angry Katie back at their island fortress. He stood across from Daragh, his expression unreadable, though his gaze flicked toward the screen with a contemplative gleam. "Desperate men make mistakes," he murmured, then met Daragh’s eyes. "And MI5 being in thisdeep? That complicates things. We need to assume they’re watching us just as closely as they’re watching Wolfe."

Daragh grunted. "They’ve been watching us since the day we were born. This is just another excuse to sink their teeth in."

Finn sighed, dragging a hand through his dark hair. "Aye, but they’re not usually this aggressive. The bounty on your head was one thing, but now that Siobhan’s got a price on hers, we can assume MI5 sees an opportunity. They wouldn’t risk direct action against us, but if they can control who takes her, they can make a deal with whatever bastard drags her back to London in chains."

Daragh’s hands clenched into fists. The thought of Siobhan being used as some pawn for MI5’s leverage made his blood run hot, his panther stirring beneath the surface, wanting blood.

"That won’t happen," he growled.

Con nodded, as if Daragh’s fury was a given. "Agreed. But we have to be smart about this." He motioned toward the screen, where a dossier of Sebastian Wolfe was displayed, his cold blue eyes staring out of the digital profile like a challenge. "Wolfe’s been careful, but he’s running out of safe houses, out of allies. We use that against him. Make him think he’s still the one in control."

Daragh arched an eyebrow. "And how do you propose we do that?"

"Callum has some interesting insights into Wolfe’s movements," Con said, flipping open another file. "Callum’s been tracking financial transactions in Dublin, and Rory has been keeping his ear to the ground from Galway about the European syndicates. Sebastian’s been reaching out to certain factions for help—Russian Bratva, a few rogue MI5 handlers, even some disgraced mercenaries who’d love a payday."

Daragh’s eyes narrowed. "If he’s asking for outside help, that means he’s lost confidence in his own resources."

Finn nodded. "After the spectacular failure we handed that first group, others are backing away. No doubt waiting to see what happens…”

“Hoping we’ll weaken each other enough so someone new can take over,” said Daragh. He looked to Con to say something more.

Con waved him off. “Don’t. I’d have done the same if it had been Katy. I will never tell one of my people that he doesn’t start a war over a fated mate.” Con tapped the file again. "Callum’s people intercepted communication between one of Wolfe’s remaining lieutenants and an arms dealer in Belfast. He’s stockpiling weapons, possibly preparing for an all-out assault. If we let him think we don’t know, we can use that to our advantage."

Daragh rolled his shoulders, considering the possibilities. They needed to hit Sebastian on multiple fronts—financially, physically, and strategically. He needed to feel cornered, to think he was making the ultimate move, only to realize too late that the trap had already been sprung.

"And what about MI5?" Daragh asked. "They won’t just stand by and let us take him out. They want him alive."

Con’s lips curled slightly. "They do. But they want Siobhan more. If we feed them enough misinformation, they’ll focus their resources on her instead of interfering with us. Wolfe’s already on borrowed time. We just have to make sure he never gets the chance to collect on his bounty before we end him."

Daragh’s gut twisted at the thought of MI5 getting their hands on Siobhan. She had run to them once, thinking they would protect her, but she had learned the truth the hard way. They weren’t her saviors. They were just another form of prison.

He wouldn’t let them take her. He wouldn’t let anyone take her.

Finn cleared his throat. "We have two choices: fool Wolfe into making a move first, or take the fight straight to him."

Daragh’s fingers drummed against the table as he considered their next step. If they went after Sebastian directly, it would be a war zone. Civilians could get caught in the crossfire, and MI5 would be all over them. But if they made Wolfe desperate enough, he’d walk straight into their hands.

"He still thinks he’s calling the shots," Daragh said slowly. "We let him believe that. We let him think we’re scrambling, on the defensive. Meanwhile, we cut off his options, one by one, until he has no choice but to come for her himself."

Finn’s grin was sharp. "And when he does?"

Daragh’s own smile was lethal. "We finish this."

Con nodded. "Then we start setting the stage now. Callum will continue feeding false intel to Wolfe’s people, keeping him paranoid. Finn, I want you coordinating with our allies in Belfast—if we can intercept those arms deals even better. Daragh, you focus on securing Siobhan."

Daragh’s jaw tightened. "She doesn’t like being told what to do."

Con’s gaze was knowing as he laughed. "Been there. Done that. The trick is, you don’t tell her. Just make sure she never has a reason to run."

Daragh clenched his fists. Siobhan could fight him on this all she wanted, but she wasn’t going anywhere.

Con flipped the folder shut. "We move fast, we move quiet, and when the time comes, we strike hard."

Daragh pushed off the table, already thinking ahead. "I’ll handle Siobhan. Make sure she understands this isn’t a negotiation."

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