Page 78 of The Celtic Resolution
“No,” the first replies stiffly. “Go home.”
“Open the gate.”
“No.”
“Open the fucking gate!”
“Or what?” The first steps forward, ready to shove the barrel of his gun into my chest but the second one steps in between us and glares at his companion.
“Listen. We’ve been on lockdown for a few weeks now, okay? No one in or out without prior clearance and you’re not on the list. No one is on the list. So go back to your post. If you really need to see Domenico, then I’ll tell him you dropped by.”
“I can’t leave.” Anger builds inside me like hot pressure and it’s impossible to stand still. “I need to see him right now and I’m not leaving until you let me in through that gate, understand?”
“Try it.” The trigger-happy guard glowers at me over his companion’s shoulder. “I’ve not shot someone in a long fucking time.”
“Look, you don’t understand!” How can I explain this in a way that will make them listen to me? If only I hadn’t given that gun to Saoirse, then I could simply kill them and climb over the gate. “I just need?—”
I trail off as we’re suddenly awash with the bright headlights of an approaching car as it crawls up the drive. Due to how I parked my own car, the vehicle stops a few feet behind and sits with the engine purring. I lift my hand above my eyes, trying to prevent the glare from blinding me while both armed men raise their rifles to the new arrival.
My heart pounds violently. Could I make it up and over the gate while they're distracted? Not a chance. Unless I was a superhero or something. Fuck.
“Identify yourself!” The first armed guard barks at the new vehicle. They slowly split apart from one another as one guard moves left and the other moves right. They’re beginning to circle the vehicle but before either of them gets too far, one of the doors opens and gravel crunches under the weight of footsteps.
“Put the damn gun down,” drawls a familiar voice. “I’m tired and not in the fucking mood.”
“Rocky?” I thought he was in Italy? “What are you doing here?”
Rubbing at his jaw, Rocky Barati walks past my car after giving it a distasteful look and our eyes meet. “Bruno. I could ask you the same thing.”
“I thought you were overseas?”
Rocky’s eyes narrow faintly. “Who told you that?”
I hesitate. “You know who.”
He nods, just once and glances at the guards as they lower their weapons. “What’s going on here?”
“He wants onto the property, sir,” states the second guard. “But we’re under strict orders not to let anyone in unless they’ve had prior approval.”
“Why?”
“Uhm—” The guard hesitates. “Domenico’s orders, sir. He thinks the Irish are desperate enough to sneak in someone or something dangerous so he’s protecting the property and the lives of everyone inside.”
“Is he now.” Rocky drags one hand through his hair and glances back at me. “And you, what’s this about?”
“I need to speak to my father.” It’s unclear how much Rocky knows and I can’t even guarantee he’s on my side but if he can get me in to see my father then that’s all I need. “It’s urgent.”
“How urgent?” Rocky asks.
“Urgent enough that I was contemplating the best way to subdue two armed guards and not die.”
Rocky snorts softly in amusement. “Well, he’ll be here soon. He’s picking Sarah up from work so we can all have a much-needed overdue meeting.”
My blood turns to ice.
He’s picking Sarah up?Fuck, was he with her when I called? Is that what she was trying to tell me? My heart plummets to my stomach and before I know it, my hands are gripping Rocky’s shoulder while both guards raise their weapons toward me.
“Rocky, Sarah’s in danger! Do you know where they are?”
