Page 31 of Sins and Salvation

"You're the wild card. The brother who rejected the family, who walked away clean. She needs to prove you're no threat—either by turning you against me or eliminating you."

"And Maeve? Conor?"

"Leverage. Pressure points." Cormac takes a drink. "Siobhan never forgave me for sending you away instead of her. She wanted out too, but I wouldn't allow it."

"Jesus." I rub my face. "So, all this time... God, she really is mad in the head, we didn't just imagine her craziness."

"She's been planning her move. Dad’s death gave her a perfect shot. I don't think she expected you to come home, I believe her plan was to eventually use Conor to force you to come back." That is sick, but it makes sense.

I down the whiskey in one gulp, welcoming the burn. "I need to stop this, Cormac."

"We will."

"No. I mean right now. This is my family in danger."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm going to draw her out. Make her come to me."

"That's suicide."

"She's insane, it's not suicide if I know who I am dealing with. Our sister has always been easy to manipulate. She needs her ego stroked."

"You should not provoke her, she's had seven years to stew, and she is bitter as hell. If you push her buttons she’ll flip to full on mental mode."

“I can handle my little sister.”

"You're willing to risk Maeve and Conor in the process?"

I shake my head. "Not a fucking chance. I want them out of Dublin. Tonight. Your house in Kerry."

"That's smart." He signals for another round. "But Siobhan won't show unless she thinks she can get what she wants."

"Then I'll make her believe she can."

We spend the next hour talking. By the time I leave Quinn's, I know what I need to do—and what it might cost me.

The townhouse is quiet when I get home. Maeve is in the living room, a book open on her lap but she’s not reading it.

"Where's Conor?" I ask.

"Upstairs with Finn. They're playing Nintendo. Your brother plays Mario, I find that rather ridiculous." She closes the book. "Did you sort out your violence for the day?"

I ignore the jab and sit across from her. "We're leaving, tonight."

She straightens. "Leaving? To go where?"

"You and Conor are going to Kerry. Cormac's house on the coast."

"Without you?"

"I need to stay and deal with a family problem."

Her eyes narrow. "What aren't you telling me?"

"It's not the Russians behind this. It's my sister, Siobhan."

Maeve's hand flies to her mouth. "Your own sister? She always was a bit loopy, but death threats?"

---