Page 78 of Beautiful Vengeance
“You betrayed the family.”
Teague rocked onto the balls of his feet.“I did what it took to protect our sister.”He was sporting a black eye that she suspected was courtesy of Jude, and it made him look like a completely different person.Or maybe it was the wildness in his dark eyes.“Somethingyouhaven’t even tried.Not with Carrigan, not with Keira, and sure as fuck not with Sloan.”
Aiden took a slow step to the side like he was sizing Teague up for weakness.“And how’s that protection working out?She’s here, looking like shit, and it wasCarriganwho brought her back.You had your chance.You fucked it up.She’s leaving.”
“The fuck she is.”Teague’s fists clenched and unclenched.“She’s staying right here.You have no idea what’s going on.”
“Wrong.I know a whole hell of a lot more than you bargained on.”Aiden crossed his arms over his chest.“Or were you just going to slink away and hope no one noticed you were informing to the fucking feds?”
“Stop it!” Sloan screamed, her hands going to the sides of her head as if she could contain the massive headache sprouting there.“I am not staying in Boston.I came back of my own free will.I wasnotretrieved like some naughty child.Stop acting like I’m not standingright here.”She wasn’t even going to touch Aiden’s comment about Teague informing on the family.That wasn’t why she was here, and it wasn’t her problem.She didn’t want it tobeher problem.
Though that explains why Aiden is here so quickly—he’s been watching Teague.
They looked at her like she’d grown a second head.Teague took a cautious step toward her.“You don’t know what you’re saying.I know you think—”
“Don’t you dare.”She backed up, wanting to scream again in frustration.“I am an adult, though I’ve allowed you to treat me like an invalid up until this point.That ends now.When I leave Boston this time, I’m leaving for good.You will stop looking for me.Just…let me go.”
Aiden narrowed his eyes.“You choose this?”
“That’s what I’ve been saying all along.”
Teague spoke over her.“She was targeted by Jude motherfucking MacNamara.He preyed on her and now she thinks she’s in a relationship with him.”
Aiden shook his head, looking disgusted.“When you fuck something up, youreallyfuck it up, don’t you, Teague?You’re so damn sure you know better than everyone else that you stomp all over whattheywant.”
Sloan was losing them.“Will you justlistento me?”
“It’s okay.We aren’t judging you for any of this.”Teague took another step closer, approaching like she was a wild animal.“You couldn’t have known.”
“You are not listening to me.You don’t know him.”She realized her mistake as soon as Teague looked at her like he wanted to sedate her and lock her up until she came into her right mind—like she was certifiable.Oh God, I was so wrong to come back here.“I am turning around and walking out of this house.You are going to let me.”
Teague shook his head.“We can’t do that, Sloan.”
“The fuck we can’t.You’re not listening to her.Again.”Aiden’s fists were clenched, and he looked half a second from punching Teague in the face.
“The fuck Ican.I don’t answer to you anymore, and you’re standing on Sheridan territory.If you aren’t willing to do what’s right for our sister, then I am.”
Her throat tried to close, but she forced the words out despite that.“You can’t be serious.You’re threateningAiden.What is wrong with you?”Jude had been right, and she’d been a fool for thinking the best of her brother—for thinking she could reason with Teague.He’d always see her as the sweet little sister who needed to be protected, who couldn’t think for herself.
If Cillian were here…
But it wouldn’t matter.Teague was half of the head of the Sheridan family, and though Aiden now appeared to run the O’Malleys, they weren’t on O’Malley territory.Teague outranked Aiden.He outrankedher.
She lifted her chin.“This is your last chance.I’m leaving.”She turned for the door, but Teague stepped in front of her.
“Don’t make me call my men.This doesn’t have to come to violence.”
Behind her, a phone rang.She turned as Aiden took it out of his pocket and answered, his gaze never leaving her.“I’m with her right now.We’re having a…difference of opinion with my brother.”
“Is that fucking MacNamara?”Teague raised his voice.“Tell him to run.If he sets foot on my territory, I’m going to hunt him down like the mad dog he is.”
No.
Sloan marched across the room and shoved Teague.“Teague Patrick O’Malley, I swear to God, if you don’t stop acting like a Neanderthal, I’m going to call your wife.Shewill listen to me.”
He took a step back and glared at her.“Callie and I are of the same mind when it comes to this.”
“Liar.”She knew Callie, and so she knew better.The woman could be fierce, but she didn’t let Teague steamroll her—and Sloan doubted she’d take too kindly to him doing the same to his sister.
