Page 15 of Killian

“I will take it into consideration.”

“No deal then. Tell Matteo I’m very sorry, but you weren’t willing to compromise.”

He shakes his head, his body taut with anger. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Greer. You really want me to allow you to go out on your own without protection? Make you an even bigger target with my enemies, along with the enemies you’re making? That’s asking too much.”

“It shows how much you know me. I can protect myself, Bash. You might not think so, but I can. I didn’t sit and pick flowers in Italy. I learned from the family. I already agreed to give you final approval on any future husband, but other than that and the limited part you will have with any children I have, I want you to stay out of it.”

He grits his teeth. “You take Enzo with you. I will let you go, but you take Enzo and you check in occasionally at an agreed upon time.”

I bite my lip. This is pretty freaking close to freedom. I already know Enzo will allow me to go where I want. He won’t report the dirty details back to Bash. I think he knows that too.

“All right. I will agree to that. So what do the Westies need from me, anyway?”

“I don’t know, but you find out tomorrow.”

“I hopeyou know what you’re doing. Involving the Italians is risky.”

Cashel’s right, of course. To an outsider looking in, this is a perilous move. One most wouldn’t make. However, he doesn’t know what I know.

We have an ace in the hole.

He might not trust the Italians and neither do I. I trust Greer though.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“I hope so,” he murmurs.

“Heard you loud and clear. Now let me handle this. Is everything okay back home?”

He chuckles. “Of course it is. I got a handle on my shit.”

I don’t miss the obvious dig, but I ignore it.

“Good. I’ll call soon.”

“See that you do.”

Setting the phone down, I let out the breath I was holding. Cashel is twenty years my senior. He has been running the Westies in Ireland for the last fifteen years after removing his predecessor by force. That’s the way it is in this world. You won’t die peacefully in your bed. Someone will eventually take you out.

His friendship and advice means more to me than he knows.

A knock on the door breaks me out of my thoughts.

“Come in,” I call out.

Conor pops his head in. “You almost ready to go?”

“Yeah. Did you deliver the message?”

“Yes. Everything is set.”

“Good.” Standing from the desk, I make my way to the door, grabbing my suit jacket hanging next to it. I tap my pants to ensure I have my wallet, then each side to feel both guns.

I can feel the weight of the guns there, but it’s a habit to always check, anyway.

“Conor, you drive today. It’ll be us two only.”

He nods in understanding.

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