Page 90 of Crown of Smoke

“Oh, come on, Mr. Kean. The well-known secret about your family is partially how you’re able to maintain your iron fist on the city, isn’t it? You like people knowing you took out the Ifrinns. It makes you more fierce.”

“You don’t seem so afraid. I could make you disappear.” He studies my reaction.

“I’m resolved that this isn’t going to go well for me.”

“You got that right.”

The door bangs open, making me jump. One of Ronan's men bursts in, his face flushed with urgency.

"Boss, we got trouble.”

“I’m busy?—”

“It’s outside the house, sir.” Ronan’s jaw tightens. He clearly doesn’t like to be interrupted.

“Deal with it?—”

“You should come, Mr. Kean. For your safety.”

“Fuck!” He stands. "Put someone on this door. I'll deal with her later."

They stride out, the heavy door slamming behind them. I let out a breath, relieved to have a reprieve. This is my chance to think, to plan. If I could get loose, get out of here, maybe I could find one of those tunnels. Do they still exist? Did they burn in the fire? Did the Keans keep them when they rebuilt?

I tug at my wrists, trying to figure out how to free my hands. I’m determined to survive for my baby and for Flint. And maybe, just maybe, to help bring the Keans down once and for all.

32

FLINT

Ipress against the wall near the hidden entrance, a little surprised yet very relieved to discover it still exists. They’d been built during prohibition but were long out of use by the time my family bought it. I think most had forgotten them, but my brothers and I had discovered them as kids and used them when we wanted to sneak out. We’d used one at the back of the house the night we escaped. This one was located at the side of the house and led through the basement.

Through the trees,I catch glimpses of my brothers creating chaos at the front gates. Phoenix's tactical genius shows as they draw attention without revealing themselves. The guards rush toward the commotion, leaving this side of the property exposed.

I do my best to be patient as I wait for Ronan to take the bait. After ten years of planning, he's finally within reach. I could end this tonight.

But Lucy's safety has to come first. Lucy is brave, but I can’t imagine she’s not terrified, assuming she’s still alive.

The front door is thrown open and Ronan strides out. “What the fuck is going on?”

For a minute, I hesitate. He’s right there. I could take him out here and now.

"Sir, there's multiple intruders at the gate. They’ve taken down four men?—”

“You’re a bunch of incompetent fools,” Ronan snarls.

It’s working. My brothers will keep him busy while I get to Lucy. I slip through the secret door and make my way to the basement. As I sneak through the house, I wonder if this is how Ronan’s men breached our security. Had this same passage let killers into my childhood home?

A muffled sound comes from a room at the other end of the basement. I want to call out, but I can’t be sure that Ronan hasn’t left someone behind to watch her.

I move as quickly as I can without making a sound. A shadow moves ahead. I press against the wall, pulling out my knife, as a gun would warn others of my presence.

I wait a moment and then move. He sees me, but before he can shout, I'm on him, one hand clamped over his mouth while I bury my knife into his gut with an upward motion. He thrashes, but I hold tight until he goes limp.

I hurry into the room. Lucy’s head snaps up at my entrance. "Flint?" Her voice cracks. She wasn’t expecting me. Doesn’t she know I’ll move heaven and earth to protect her?

I rush to her, knife already working at the ropes. "I've got you. You're safe now."

The bindings fall away. Her blue eyes lock with mine, brimming with tears. Before I can stop myself, I cup her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks. "Are you hurt?"

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