Page 69 of Sins and Salvation

"The woman who succeeded in kidnapping my son," I interrupt. "I need to see her."

"She's not well, Maeve."

"I don't care."

Cormac nods. "I'll have a car brought around."

"I want to drive," Declan says.

Another sigh. "Fine. The hunting lodge is an hour away. My men are outside."

He writes directions on a slip of paper and hands it to Declan. Their fingers brush, a silent communication passing between brothers. For all their differences, their bond runs deep.

"Be careful," Cormac tells us. "She might look contained, but her fucked up mind is dangerous."

I suppress a shiver.

The drive north is quiet. I watch the Dublin suburbs give way to rolling countryside, green after recent rain.

"What do you want to ask her?" I say, breaking the silence.

Declan keeps his eyes on the road. "Why she targeted us specifically. What she knows about Cormac that I don't."

"You think he's hiding something?"

"He's always hiding something. The question is whether it matters to us."

I turn to look at him. "And then what? After we talk to her?"

"Then we decide our future."

"Just like that?"

He takes my hand across the center console. "Just like that."

The hunting lodge is nestled among tall pines. It's smaller than I expected, more cabin than lodge. Two men stand guard outside, nodding to Declan as we approach.

"Mr. Donovan," one of them says. "She's inside."

"Is she restrained?" Declan asks.

The guard shakes his head. "Mr. Cormac's orders. She's not dangerous physically."

I'm not so sure about that, but I follow Declan inside without comment.

The interior of the lodge is rustic but comfortable. A fire burns in the stone hearth, casting long shadows across the wooden floors. And there, in an armchair by the window, is Siobhan Donovan.

"My little brother returns," she says, her voice stronger than her appearance suggests. "And you brought the nurse. How cute."

Declan steps forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me. "Siobhan."

"Come to gloat? To see the mighty Siobhan fallen?" She gestures around the lodge. "My prison is comfortable, at least. Cormac always did have style."

"We came for answers," I say, stepping out from behind Declan.

Siobhan's gaze shifts to me, a cold smile playing on her lips. "The mother lion. I heard you shot one of Petrov's men to save your cub. Impressive."

"You targeted my son."

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