Page 80 of The Thief
The realization hits like a punch to the gut. While we're fighting these disposable soldiers, Trace is somewhere else. Doing something else.
Going after Alastríona.
"Stephen, we need to?—"
"Front entrance clear," Denis reports. "Last two just went down."
"East wing secure," Maverick adds.
Silence falls over the house. Twelve men down, not one of them Trace Harrington or any of his lieutenants. The attack we've been planning for is over, and it was nothing but smoke and mirrors.
"Regrouping in Henry's office," Stephen says. "All units converge."
I make my way downstairs, stepping over bodies and broken glass. The house looks like a war zone, but structurally it's fine. Cosmetic damage, nothing more.
In Henry's office, the family's gathering. Denis with blood on his shirt that isn't his. Malcolm reloading his pistol with practiced efficiency. Danny checking his weapon like he's expecting another wave.
Henry's behind his desk, looking older than his years but unharmed. "Anyone hurt?"
"Few scratches," Denis says. "Nothing serious."
"Good. Now someone explain to me why Trace Harrington sent twelve amateur soldiers to die in my house."
"Because he wasn't trying to kill us," I say. "He was trying to get us all in one place."
"While he goes after Alastríona," Stephen adds grimly.
Henry's face goes white. "She's at your house. With Jessica."
"She was. But if Trace knows about this attack, he knows where she really is."
My phone's already in my hand, dialing Alastríona’s number. It rings once, twice, three times.
No answer.
"Fuck."
Maverick's face is stone. "It’s almost an hour to get to Stephen’s."
Stephen’s lips are set in a grim line. "Twenty minutes if we break every traffic law in Dublin."
Mav nods. "Then we break them."
The door opens before we can move. Marcus walks in, looking like he's just stepped out of a boardroom instead of surviving a firefight.
"Thank God you're all safe," he says, but there's something wrong with his voice. Something that doesn't match the relief on his face.
"Where have you been?" Denis asks.
"Checking the perimeter. Making sure they didn't leave any surprises."
"For an hour?"
"I was being thorough."
Henry's studying his oldest friend with new eyes. "You weren't in position when the attack started."
"I was securing the backup exit routes. Like we discussed."
