Page 60 of Cowboy
We drive to Grá and Bozo's place in silence, the weight of what lies ahead hanging heavy between us. Saoirse clutches her favorite stuffed animal, a worn teddy bear I bought her shortly after they came to stay with me.
Grá meets us at the door, her warm smile a stark contrast to the tension we're all feeling. "Hey there, sweetheart," she says, kneeling down to Saoirse's level. "Are you ready for our sleepover?"
Saoirse nods hesitantly then turns to Caoimhe, her lower lip trembling. "You'll come back, right? You promise?"
Caoimhe kneels down, pulling Saoirse into a tight hug. "I promise, my love. We'll be back before you know it."
As they say their goodbyes, I pull Bozo aside. "Keep her safe," I murmur, my voice low and serious.
He nods, understanding the weight of what I'm asking. "With my life, brother. Nothing will touch her while you're gone."
Finally, it's time to leave. As we drive away, I catch sight of Saoirse in the rearview mirror, her small face pressed against the window. Caoimhe stares straight ahead, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
"She'll be okay," I say softly, reaching over to take her hand. "Grá and Bozo will take good care of her."
Caoimhe nods but doesn't speak. I can see the conflict in her eyes, the need to confront her past warring with the desire to protect Saoirse.
At the airport, we meet up with Travis, Pyro, and Tank. The tension is palpable as we board the private jet Jer has arranged for us. As we take off, I can't help but wonder what awaits us in Vienna. Will we find Dylan? And if we do, what then?
Caoimhe sits beside me, her gaze fixed on the clouds outside the window. I know she's wrestling with her own demons, preparing herself for the confrontation to come. Whatever happens, I silently vow to be there for her, to help her through this final hurdle.
As the plane carries us toward Vienna and the answers we seek, I can't shake the feeling that nothing will ever be the same after this. But with Caoimhe by my side, I know we can face whatever comes.
The flight to Vienna is long and tense. Caoimhe alternates between staring out the window and dozing fitfully, her brow furrowed even in sleep. I can only imagine the nightmares that plague her. The rest of us review our intel, going over maps and possible locations as to where Dylan might be hiding.
As we begin our descent into Vienna International Airport, Pyro leans across the aisle toward me. "Remember, brother, we're here on club business. Whatever happens with Dylan, it's not personal. It's justice."
I nod, understanding his meaning. This isn't about revenge, it's about protecting our own and making sure these traffickers can never hurt anyone again. But as I glance at Caoimhe, I know that for her, it's deeply personal. She needs closure, needs to understand why her own brother betrayed her so completely.
We land just as the sun is setting, casting long shadows across the tarmac. As we disembark, I can feel Caoimhe tense beside me. This is it. We're here, in the same city as the man who sold her into hell.
"You okay?" I ask softly, placing a hand on her lower back.
She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "I have to be," she replies, her voice steady despite the fear I can see in her eyes.
We make our way through customs without incident, our cover story of being businessmen (and woman) here for a conference holding up under scrutiny. As we exit the airport, the cool evening air hits us, carrying with it the scents and sounds of a city preparing for night.
"Where to first?" Tank asks as we load our gear into the waiting van.
Travis pulls out his phone, checking the latest intel. "Our contact says Dylan was last seen near the Naschmarkt. We'll start there and see if we can pick up his trail."
As we drive through the city, I can't help but marvel at its beauty. The baroque architecture, the winding streets, the blend of old and new, it's a far cry from the grimy underworld we're here to infiltrate. Beside me, Caoimhe stares out the window, her expression unreadable.
We check into a small, nondescript hotel near the market district. It's not fancy, but it'll serve as a good base of operations. As we gather in Travis' room to plan our next move, I can see the determination hardening in everyone's eyes. We're close now, closer than we've ever been to bringing Dylan to justice.
"Alright," Travis says, spreading a map of the city on the bed. "We'll split into teams. Tank and I will take the north end of the market. Pyro and Cowboy, you take the south. Caoimhe, I want you to stay here with?—"
"No," Caoimhe interrupts, her voice firm. "I'm coming with you. I need to be there when you find him."
Travis hesitates, clearly torn between wanting to protect Caoimhe and respecting her need for closure. Finally, he nods. "Alright. But you stay with Cowboy at all times, understood? And when we make our move on Dylan, you hang back. Let us handle it."
Caoimhe nods, relief evident in her eyes. "Thank you."
As we finalize our plans, I can't help but worry about what will happen when we finally confront Dylan. Will Caoimhe get the answers she needs? And how will she react when the club delivers its justice?
We head out into the night, the streets of Vienna alive with locals and tourists enjoying the mild evening. As we approach the Naschmarkt, I can feel the tension ratcheting up. Somewhere in this maze of stalls and cafes, Dylan might be hiding.
Caoimhe walks close beside me, her eyes darting from face to face in the crowd. I know she's searching for any sign of her brother, torn between hope and dread at the prospect of seeing him again.
