Page 85 of Bound By Darkness

Guilt knots in my chest.“I’m so sorry.”

“No.This is not on you.”His voice is firm.“This is on him, and I’m going to make sure he fucking pays.”

I shift my weight, unsure of my next move.Eamon watches me, his deep blue eyes missing nothing as I press my lips together, debating whether or not to say anything.

“Spit it out, Aoife,” he snaps, his voice rough with exhaustion and frustration.“Whatever it is, just say it.”

I exhale quietly.“When I got home earlier, I was planning to tell you something,” I say, my voice tight.“Before everything happened.”

His focus sharpens instantly.“What is it?”

“The meeting was about a weapons shipment Ruairi’s expecting.”I pull my phone out of my pocket.Unlocking it, I scroll for a second before holding it out to him.“I was able to get some pictures.”

Eamon takes the phone from me.He’s quiet as he scrolls through the images.The men at the table.The paperwork.A few blurry shots of what looks like manifests.“The pictures aren’t perfect, but it’s something.”

A slow satisfaction curls in his expression.“This is good,mo chroí,” he says, meeting my eyes.“Really fucking good.”

Relief floods through me, but I push it down before it can show.After everything that happened tonight, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t this.

He hands the phone back, his fingers brushing against mine.“Thank you.”

I nod and look away.I don’t know if he realizes it, but those two words mean so much.

Before I can process it, he grips my shoulders and turns me back toward the elevator.“And now you’re going back upstairs.”

My blood boils.“You can’t just send me away like a child.”

“Watch me.”His voice drops lower.“And if you come back down again, I’ll make sure you can’t sit for a week.”

“Really?That’s your big threat?”

His eyes glint with something dark.“Would you like a demonstration?”

My pulse flutters, but I narrow my eyes.“I hate you.”

He smirks.“No, you don’t.”

Then he grabs my chin, kisses me hard, and steps back.“I’ll be up as soon as possible,” he says, stepping back, allowing the doors to slide shut between us.

As soon as I’m alone, I lean back against the wall and take a deep breath.It feels like the walls are closing in on me.I should be trying to stop this war.I should call Ruairi and beg him to back down.

But I won’t.

Because this isn’t just about Eamon.This is about me.

This is about proving that I’m more than just Ruairi’s twin sister—more than someone he thinks needs protecting.My brother needs to accept me.Needs to understand that I’m not going anywhere.

If he pushes, I’ll push back.

If he sets fire to my world, I’ll walk through the flames.

Eamon

The night airis thick with the acrid stench of smoke, the remnants of the fire still clinging to the wind.The building smolders, embers glowing in the blackened ruin of my club.

I stand in the wreckage, watching as the last of the firefighters pack up their gear.Their work is done.

“I appreciate your help,” I tell them, my voice steady despite the rage curling beneath my skin.

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