Page 562 of Lodestar

“So, I got the ECD to target wherever he wanted to wreak havoc. On the border with Northern Ireland, ships brought in cargo from the UK to the Republic. I had them screw with trucking logistics, fuck with that embassy’s security so he could listen in?—”

“You didn’t tell me about that, Conor,” Star growled.

My nose crinkled. “Aidan asked. What was I supposed to do? Say no?”

“Erm, no, you were supposed to share. Isn’t that the crux of this whole teamwork crap you keep spouting?”

“I only knew about the embassy security. Not the rest of?—”

“Before this triggers a full-on domestic squabble,” Brennan sniped, “let’s deal with what matters here?”

“Get on with it then,” she spat.

“I think he’s trying to overthrow the fucking Irish government,” Aidan stated, agitatedly stroking a hand through his hair.

“You can’tthinkthat. Where’s your evidence?”

“How about that he told me to station the bulk of the ECD’s numbers outside the Stormont Estate?”

My brow furrowed. “He wants to lay siege to Northern Ireland’s parliamentary buildings?”

Tensely, Aidan admitted, “I’m thinking so. I mean, his influence will be pivotal in getting Shay where we need him to be, but I’m not about to go to jail for conspiracy to bring down a fucking government! That price is too high, even for goddamn me.”

Star was silent for a moment, then she croaked, “What the hell is his endgame?”

I pinned my brother with a stare. “Do you know?”

With a shrug, he said, “I just figured he was building up Russia’s power in Europe.”

“And you were okay with that?” Star snarled.

Flicking a look at Brennan, his expression didn’t give anything away as Aidan replied, “Not entirely, but you’re the ones who put me on his fucking radar! Everything comes at a cost. I figured this was the price you were willing to pay.”

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I muttered, “You should have discussed this with us.”

“I’m the head of the ECD. Not you. Not Brennan, Declan, Finn, or Eoghan.” He pursed his lips. “Anyway, Ihavecome to you to discuss this. This is a crisis point.

“What he’s asked of me before have been petty political disruptions. This is the first time he’s requested something with such monumental repercussions.”

“He was probably building up in increments, trying to see how far you’d go,” Star mumbled wearily.

“Unluckily for him,” Aidan clipped, “I’m not Da.”

“Who, ironically, he didn’t like.” I blew out a breath as I slumped down in my chair. “We can’t allow him to?—”

“When’s the planned attack?” Star interrupted.

“In two weeks’ time.”

“He won’t be a problem by that point. Democracy might not be perfect, but it’s better than a fucking autocracy,” she grated.

Aidan, Brennan, and I shared a look between us, but I was the one who asked, “Star?”

“You know what I have to do, Conor.”

“We’ll do it together, Star,” I assured her, wanting her to know that I had her back.

“He once told me that he and his father tried to assassinate Stalin.” She barked out a bitter laugh. “Seems like I’ll be following in his footsteps of taking down megalomaniacs.”

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