Page 14 of Three Irish Kings

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I’ve only had two drinks, so I’m not even close to drunk, but the attention I called upon myself did the trick. This is what they’ll remember of me for the night.

Now, it’s time to go join Cillian and Dare.

From what I’ve seen of Maggie Sullivan, they’ll need the help.

I makemy way to the door leading to the stairs that will take me to the parking garage.

Annoyance runs through me as I open the door and start descending the stairs.

What am I going to do with her?

I bite my lip.

I don’t want to take her to my father. He’ll kill her on the spot, and I’m...conflicted. Even if she’s a traitor, she’s still a woman, and my father’s code used to be no women, no children.

But since he’s gotten older, he’s gotten more violent, more... unhinged.

I take a breath and call him.

“Hayes,” he barks into the phone.

“Da. I might have eyes on the prize.”

“Good. Grab it and bring it in. Time to end this once and for all.”

“Da, are you sure?—.”

“Do what I’m telling you,boyo. Or you’ll face the consequences. And hurry. Your mother has been calling you for dinner.”

I stop descending and squeeze my eyes shut. “Yes, Da. I’ll be home for dinner.”

“Aye.”

He hangs up the phone, and I sigh.

My ma has been gone for five years.

My da is getting worse, so there is no way I can take Maggie to him now. He isn’t himself.

I resume descending the staircase to the parking garage again.

What the fuck am I supposed to do now?

Chapter Four

CILLIAN

I standa little off to the side of the elevator, silent, watching the doors and waiting for them to open as she approaches me.

She hasn’t seen me yet, distracted by looking around. Maybe looking for Dare.

Good luck with that.

I want to make sure we are alone in the elevator, so, I scan the area, relieved that no one else is heading this way.

As the doors finally open, my target slips in.

I follow her in as the doors begin to close.

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